Rabies is a highly contagious virus that poses a serious health threat to people, pets, and other mammals. Today, our veterinarians in Portland explain the symptoms of rabies and why it is essential to vaccinate your feline friend against this deadly disease.
The Deadly Rabies Virus
Rabies is a virus that attacks the central nervous system of mammals, including cats, dogs, and even people. The disease most often enters the system through the bite of an infected animal.
Once the virus enters the body, it travels from the bite site along the nerves until it reaches the spinal cord and works its way to the brain. As soon as the rabies virus reaches the brain, the infected animal starts to display symptoms and often dies within seven days.
Which animals have rabies?
Generally, rabies is spread by wildlife such as raccoons, bats, foxes, and skunks. But this condition can be contracted and spread by any mammal. Rabies is most often seen in neighborhoods that have large populations of unvaccinated stray cats and dogs.
How do cats get rabies?
The rabies virus spreads through contact with the saliva of infected mammals. It is most often transmitted through bites from infected animals. Rabies can also spread if the saliva of an infected animal comes in contact with an open wound or mucous membranes, such as the gums. The more contact your cat has with wild animals, the higher its risk of infection.
If your cat contracts the rabies virus, it can easily spread to you and the other people or pets living in your home. People can get rabies when the saliva of an infected animal, such as your cat, comes into contact with broken skin or mucus membranes. It is possible to get infected with rabies by being scratched, but it is very rare and unlikely.
If you suspect you have been in contact with the rabies virus, you must call your doctor immediately so they can give you a rabies vaccine and prevent the disease from advancing.
How common is rabies in cats?
In most states, cats and dogs must receive regularly scheduled rabies vaccines over six months. Thanks largely to the success of this vaccine program, cases of rabies in cats are relatively rare.
Most often, cats get rabies after being bitten by a wild animal. If you believe another animal has bitten your cat, we recommend calling your vet to ensure your feline friend hasn't been exposed to the rabies virus, even if it is vaccinated.
Signs & Symptoms of Rabies in Cats
You may be wondering how to tell if a cat has rabies. A cat with rabies will display signs or symptoms in the following three stages of progression:
Prodromal stage: In this stage, a rabid cat will typically exhibit unusual behaviors compared to its usual personality. For example, if your kitty is usually shy, it could become more outgoing, and vice versa. If you see any behavioral abnormalities in your cat, keep it away from other pets and family members and call your vet immediately.
Furious stage: This stage is the most dangerous, because it makes your pet nervous and even vicious. Cat rabies symptoms at this stage include excessive crying out, seizures, and loss of appetite. The virus has gotten to the stage where it has begun attacking the nervous system, and it prevents your cat from being able to swallow, leading to the classic symptom of excessive drooling, known as "foaming at the mouth."
Paralytic stage: This is the final stage in which a rabid cat will go into a coma and won't be able to breathe. Unfortunately, this is the stage where pets usually pass away. This often takes place about seven days after symptoms first appear, with death usually happening after about three days.
What are the chances of an indoor cat getting rabies?
Many cat owners mistakenly assume indoor cats don't require rabies vaccination. However, indoor cats also need protection. Our clever feline friends can slip away unnoticed, putting them at risk of encountering infected animals. Bats and rodents may also enter homes, threatening your pet. Neglecting vaccination for your pet is a risk that cannot be overlooked.
Length of Time From Infection to Start of Symptoms
If your cat has been exposed to the rabies virus, it won't show any immediate signs or symptoms. The usual incubation period is approximately three to eight weeks, but it can be anywhere from as short as ten days to as long as a year.
The speed at which symptoms appear depends entirely on the infection site. A bite closer to the spine or brain will develop much faster, and the severity of the bite will also be a factor.
Treatment for Rabies In Cats
Sadly, if your cat contracts rabies, you or your vet can do nothing to help it. There is no known cure for rabies. After symptoms start appearing, the cat's health will deteriorate within a few days.
If your pet has had the shots that protect them from rabies, including all required boosters, provide proof of vaccination to your veterinarian. If anyone came into contact with their saliva or was bitten by your pet (yourself included), advise them to contact a physician immediately for treatment. Unfortunately, rabies is always fatal for unvaccinated cats, usually occurring within seven to ten days from when the initial symptoms began.
If your cat is diagnosed with rabies, you must report the case to your local health department. According to local and state regulations, an unvaccinated pet that is bitten or exposed to a known rabid animal must be quarantined for up to six months. Conversely, a vaccinated animal that has bitten or scratched a human should be quarantined and monitored for ten days.
Your pet should be humanely euthanized to ease their suffering and to protect the other people and pets in your home. If your cat dies suddenly of what you suspect to be rabies, your vet may recommend having a sample from the cat’s brain examined. Direct testing of the brain is the only way to diagnose rabies.
The best protection against rabies in cats is to provide them with the appropriate vaccinations that help prevent the disease. Talk to your vet about scheduling an appointment to ensure your pet is up to date with their rabies shots and other vaccinations.
Note: The advice provided in this post is intended for informational purposes and does not constitute medical advice regarding pets. For an accurate diagnosis of your pet's condition, please make an appointment with your vet.