Symptoms of Cat Rabies

Rabies, caused by a virus, affects the central nervous system of warm-blooded animals such as cats. Cat may suffer from different diseases such as upper respiratory infections, urinary tract infections, chronic kidney failure, feline distemper, diabetes, vomiting, flea, conjunctivitis, cat flu, ear mites, feline stress and rabies. Although rabies is rarely seen in cat, knowing the symptoms of cat rabies is very important for the cat owners in order to seek preventive measures.

Transmission of Rabies

This disease is transmitted by a bite of infected animal. In few rare cases, it may be transmitted by aerosol or transplacental infection and sometimes through ingestion of carrier animal. The rabies virus is present abundantly in the saliva of affected animal. It cannot survive for longer time outside the body of host.

Signs and symptoms of cat rabies

In most cases, the virus spreads through nerves towards the brain. As this virus is slow moving, the average incubation time from exposure to infection to involvement of central nervous system is about 2-6 weeks in cats. After reaching to the brain, virus moves to the salivary glands. When the virus reaches the brain, the infected cat may show three or any of three different phases such as prodromal phase, furious phase and paralytic or dumb stage.

• Prodromal phase generally last for 1-2 days in cats and they may develop fever spikes and erratic behavior. You may notice a significant change in cat's temperament. An active cat may become shy or nervous and calm cat may become agitated. Other symptoms of cat rabies in this phase include excessive drooling, dilated pupils and snapping at imaginary objects.
• After 2-3 days, cats are most likely to develop the second stage namely furious phase. During this excitatory phase, an exaggerated response to any stimulus can be observed. There may be strange, abnormal changes in cat's appetite and it may start eating and swallowing stones, sticks and other objects. The cat may wander aimlessly, may bite itself and have a voice change. The cat may have aggressive, violent behavior towards others, including its owner.
• Sometimes, cat may show the third stage, paralytic or dumb phase. During this phase, cat may get extremely depressed. You may see your cat with gape open mouth and protruded tongue. Progressive paralysis may result in paralysis of entire body. The cat may become weaker and there may be respiratory failure. This phase is followed by death of cat.

Some early signs of cat rabies include violent movements such as dashing any object and getting injured, roaring loudly and biting all the objects, conjunctivitis, loss of coordination in movements due to leg weakness and disability to move.

Diagnosis of rabies in cats

When you notice the symptoms of cat rabies, you should immediately take your cat to the veterinarian. The diagnostic methods for cat rabies include clinical signs and history, determination of Negri bodies in the impression smear of brain, histopathology of central nervous system, biological test by intracerebrally inoculating the suspected brain material into mice in order to reproduce this disease, Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) on corneal impressions, skin biopsy and saliva.

Prevention and control

As there is no right treatment for cat rabies, it is important to think about prevention and control of this disease. It is recommended to administer two doses of rabies-killed vaccine intramuscularly with one-month interval when the cat is 8-10 weeks old. It should be revaccinated every year. The exposed cat can be treated with serum and vaccine. You should thoroughly wash the wound with plenty of water and soap. 6 doses (1 ml each) of intramuscular immunoglobulin or anti-rabies serum are recommended by WHO, raised in equines on 0,3,7,14,28 and 90 days after the exposure.

It is very important to take good care of beloved pet, cat, so that it remains comfortable and healthier. If you notice any of the symptoms of cat rabies, immediately opt for medical treatment in order to save the life of your cat.