Rabies is a deadly virus that is commonly spread between mammals through the bite of an infected animal. In this blog post, our Turlock vets talk about the dangers of rabies in cats, how it spreads and the importance of protecting your feline friend against this fatal virus with vaccinations.
Cat Rabies: What is it?
While preventable, many cats who do not have the rabies vaccine and will succumb to this deadly infection. Rabies makes its way through the infected animal's body attacking the nervous system. The disease spreads through bites from infected animals and travels from the site of the bite along the nerves until it reaches the spinal cord, and works its way from there to the brain. The symptoms of rabies typically appear once the infection has made its way to the brain. At this point, you can expect the animal to die within a week.
How Does Rabies Spread?
While rabies can be spread through all mammals, skunks, foxes and bats are the leading carriers within the U.S. Usually, rabies is found in areas that have high populations of unvaccinated feral cats and dogs.
The rabies virus is present in the slaive of an infected animal which makes bites the most common method of transmission. 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 the risk of becoming infected.
If your cat becomes infected with rabies, they have the potential to spread it to all people and animals living within your home as well as others that they may come into contact with. People can get rabies when the saliva of an infected animal such as your cat comes into contact with broken skin or mucus membrane. It is possible to get infected with rabies by being scratched. If you are wondering what the chances are of getting rabies from a cat scratch, the risk is fairly low, although never zero. If you suspect that you have been in contact with the rabies virus it's critical that you call your doctor immediately so they can provide you with a rabies vaccine to keep the disease from advancing.
How Common is Rabies in Cats?
The mandatory rabies vaccine has been successful in decreasing the seen cases of rabies in household pets but there is still much more that can be done. However, this virus is now more common in cats than it is in dogs with 241 recorded cases of rabies in cats in 2018. Most often cats get rabies after being bitten by a wild animal, even if you have an indoor cat they are still at risk for rabies because infected animals such as mice can enter your home and spread the condition to your cat. if you believe your kitty has been bitten by another animal we recommend calling your vet to make sure your feline friend hasn't been exposed to the rabies virus, even if they are vaccinated.
The Cat Rabies Symptoms
How can you tell if a cat has rabies? There are three primary stages of a rabies infection. Here, we have listed the stages including the signs and symptoms that accompany each stage:
Prodromal stage - In this stage, a rabid cat will typically exhibit changes in their behavior that differs from their usual personality, if your kitty is usually shy, they could become more outgoing, and vice versa. If you see any behavioral abnormalities in your cat after they have obtained an unknown bite, keep them away from any 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. They might cry out excessively and experience seizures and stop eating. 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 3 days.
When will symptoms of rabies in cats begin to appear?
Unfortunately, the symptoms of rabies in cats won't show up immediately after infection. The usual incubation period is approximately three to eight weeks, but, it can be anywhere from 10 days to as long as a year.
The cat rabies symptoms will begin to show up at a speed determined by the infection site. A bite that is closer to the spine or brain will develop much faster than others and it also depends on the severity of the bite.
Treating Rabies in Cats
Once the symptoms of rabies appear there is little time left for your feline friend and not much can be done in the way of treatment. There is no known cure for rabies and after symptoms start appearing, their health will deteriorate within a few days.
You should always ensure that your cat is up to date with their rabies vaccinations and provide this to the attending vet at the time of your visit to prove vaccination. 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 animals, usually occurring within 7 to 10 days from when the initial symptoms start.
If your cat is diagnosed with rabies you will have to report the case to your local health department. An unvaccinated pet that is bitten or exposed to a known rabid animal must be quarantined for up to six months, or according to local and state regulations. A vaccinated animal that has bitten or scratched a human, conversely, should be quarantined and monitored for 10 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 for sure.
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 make sure 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.