Rabies is a terrible way to die for any animal or human. Of course there are vaccines to protect your pets and also humans should they be bit by a rabid animal.
Symptoms are lethargy, nose and eyes running, growing at their owner or others when they normally don't do so. Snapping or trying to bite and near the end foaming at the mouth, tail drawn between the legs and a loping side-ways walk as if they are going to collapse. By this time it's too late for the animal and one has to put it out of it's misery.