| Main Entry: | mad itch |
| Part of Speech: | n |
| Definition: | a highly contagious herpes virus infection of animals(esp. pigs) that affects the central nervous system; also called pseudorabies, Aujeszky's disease, Aujeszky's itch, infectious bulbar paralysis |
| Usage: | medicine |
mad itch
viral disease mainly of cattle and swine but also affecting sheep, goats, dogs, cats, raccoons, opossums, skunks, and rodents. It is not considered to be a disease of humans. Infected swine lose their appetites and may have convulsive fits. Survivors of the initial attack scratch and are restless. A cow shows infection by rubbing against posts and by licking and biting the affected areas. The itching becomes so intense that the animal lunges and runs about in a rabieslike frenzy.
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