Rabies is a common infectious disease in many countries around the world. This disease, which is considered endemic in many developed countries, can pose a life threat, especially in underdeveloped and developing countries.
What Is Rabies in Cats?
Rabies can be defined as an RNA virus in the genus Lyssavirus, from the family Rhabdoviridae, which acts directly on the nervous system center of cats. The virus carries a contagious risk when a rabid animal bites another animal or when the saliva of an infected animal touches an open wound of another creature in any way.
Rabies multiplies rapidly in and around the first infected area. It then reaches the spinal cord via peripheral nerves. The virus, which reaches the spinal cord, moves towards the brain and causes damage to all nerve lines in the body during this time. The time for the virus to reach the brain may take a few days or a few months, depending on the amount of virus at the time of infection and the distance from the infected area to the brain. The symptoms of rabies begin to clearly show their effects on the animal as soon as the virus reaches the brain.
How to Tell if a Cat Has Rabies?
Before symptoms of rabies appear, cats may develop a bite-related infection or bite wound. This is among the most important symptoms of being bitten by a wild animal that may carry the rabies virus. For this reason, it is of great importance to consult a veterinarian quickly in case of any injury seen in cats.
What Are the Symptoms of Rabies in Cats?
Rabies symptoms in cats can progress gradually and can be very difficult to detect. Many rabid cats can manifest by showing signs of a central nervous system disorder. Common symptoms of rabies include:
- Sudden loss of appetite
- Behavior changes (excited or agitated)
- Worry and nervous symptoms
- Desire to be alone
- Aggression
- Fever
- Overreaction to environmental stimuli
- Behavior of biting non-existent objects
- Drooling or foaming (usually seen in the last stage of rabies)
- Inability to make a sound (dysphonia)
- Inability to provide muscle control
In addition to all these, some uncharacteristic behaviors may develop in cats. A calm and obedient cat can exhibit extremely aggressive behavior and lose their fear of people in general.
How to Diagnose a Rabid Cat?
There is no way to definitively diagnose rabies in any living animal. The diagnosis of rabies can only be made by observing the signs and interpreting the symptoms correctly. It is difficult for animals infected with this disease, which is almost 100% life-threatening, to receive long-term treatment and to recover. When veterinarians suspect rabies based on the symptoms seen in cats, they can only make a definitive diagnosis after a cadaveric brain tissue test. However, with this method called fluorescent antibody test, the brain tissues of cats can be examined and diagnosed.
Is Cat Rabies Transmitted to Humans?
Rabies is a disease that can be transmitted from animals to humans. Vaccination is very important especially for veterinary health personnel, animal control officers, rabies diagnosis laboratory workers who are in frequent contact with animals, and people in the high-risk group living in countries where rabies is common. In addition, after exposure to rabies virus, additional doses of vaccine, independent of previous vaccination, may enhance protection against infection.
Cat scratching can cause rabies, so be very careful. Treatment methods and steps for healthy, unvaccinated individuals exposed to cat bites and scratches include:
- Wound care
- Local injection of rabies antibodies into the wound
- Vaccine applications
Timely and properly administered treatments ensure that people can maintain their well-being even if exposed to the rabies virus.
Rabies Vaccine in Cats
Rabies is among the most dangerous viruses that put animal life at risk. For this reason, many vaccines that cats should have include rabies vaccine. Early detection can be difficult, as symptoms do not appear quickly in animals infected with rabies virus. For this reason, it is of great importance to take precautionary measures and to protect cats with rabies vaccination, to ensure that their immune systems are strong against microbes.
Is Rabies Vaccine Necessary for a Pet Cat?
Rabies vaccination is a mandatory vaccination once a year. The first rabies vaccination can be given to cats 12 weeks of age or older.
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