Rabies virus works by causing the brain to kill the rest of the body pretty much. People have survived through the duration of the clinical stage via anti-viral meds and being placed in a medically induced coma to curb most brain activity and make it more difficult for the brain to revolt against the body. Would half brained re-res have a natural resistance to rabies-caused death due to being a barely-alive vegetable in the first place? Would it be ethical or even worthwhile to use these breathing potatoes as test subjects for post-symptom rabies treatments?

Pic related: half-brained retards and viable test subjects