Surely you have heard of rabies in dogs, a disease that affects all mammals and can even infect humans. Although rabies is not a very common disease in cats, it is very dangerous, since it has no cure and causes the death of the animal
If your cat often leaves the house and is in contact with other animals, you should be aware of this disease, inform yourself about it and take the necessary measures to prevent it. Keep in mind that a bite from an infected animal is enough to spread it. Discover on our site all about rabies in cats, symptoms and treatment
What is feline rabies?
Feline rabies is a viral infectious disease that can affect all mammals and is caused by a virus of the Rhabdoviridae family. It is a serious pathology, as it causes the death of the infected animal, affecting the central nervous system causing acute encephalitis. It is also a zoonotic disease, that is, it can be spread to humans, apart from other animals, such as dogs or rabbits.
How is rabies spread in cats?
Rabies in cats is spread primarily through the bite of an infected animal, however, it can also be transmitted to through scratches or the licks of an open wound. It is important to point out that this pathology does not arise spontaneously in the environment, but is transmitted from one infected animal to another. The feline rabies virus is present in the secretions and saliva of these animals, so a simple bite is enough to transmit it and infect a he althy animal.
It is vitally important to ensure that our pets do not come into contact with wild animals or feed on infected carcasses. At the same time, we must provide adequate preventive medicine through vaccination.
Although it is an increasingly controlled disease, rabies is present in some wild animals, such as foxes and bats, although the epidemiological risk is much more common in terrestrial mammals, such as dogs and cats, since it is more frequent that our cats bite or come into contact with them than wild animals.
Is spending rage contagious to humans?
Yes, it can contagion in humans of feline rabies. As we have advanced in the first section, rabies is a zoonotic disease, so prevention is very important and identifying it in time in case of contagion. Likewise, feline rabies can be spread to other household animals, such as dogs.
Stages of rabies in cats
To better understand feline rabies and its effects on cats, we advise you to learn about the stages of rabies in cats:
- Incubation period: is asymptomatic, the cat shows no obvious symptoms. This period varies greatly, and can last from a week to several months. The most common is that it begins to show symptoms from the month after infection. In this period the disease spreads throughout the body.
- Prodromal period: Behavioral changes already occur in this phase. The cat is tired, vomiting and excitable. This phase can last between two and 10 days.
- Excitation phase or furious phase: This is the most characteristic phase of feline rage. The cat is very irritable, with very sudden changes in behavior, and may even bite and attack.
- Paralytic phase: generalized paralysis, spasms, coma and finally death.
The period between phases is variable, for this reason it is not easy to know how long a cat lives with rabies, because it can vary according to the individual Behavioral changes are often seen initially until the nervous system is severely affected and seizures and other nerve problems begin.
Symptoms of rabies in cats
The symptoms of rabies in cats are variable and not all cats have the same symptoms. However, the most common ones that can show us how to know if a cat has rabies are the following:
- Abnormal Meows
- Atypical behavior
- Irritability
- Excess salivation (drooling)
- Fever
- Vomiting
- Weight loss and appetite
- Aversion to water
- Seizures
- Paralysis
Some cats don't vomit, others don't drool excessively, and others can become nervous and die suddenly. On the other hand, the aversion or fear of water is a symptom of animals suffering from rabies, which is why the disease is also known as "hydrophobic". However, cats do not like water in general, so it will not be an obvious symptom of this disease.
Many of the symptoms of feline rabies, especially in the early stages, can be mistaken for other illnesses If your cat has any of these symptoms and has recently had a fight, go to the vet as soon as possible to carry out the necessary tests.
Diagnosis of rabies in cats
If you suspect that a cat may suffer from feline rabies, isolate the animal and quickly contact a veterinarian. The specialist will perform serological tests and other pertinent tests to determine whether or not the animal suffers from this viral infectious disease.
In the event of death, the veterinarian will perform a direct fluorescent antibody stain (DFA) test of brain tissues, which shows viral agents. In a few hours we will receive the results that will determine whether or not the animal suffered from rabies.
Treatment of rabies in cats
How to cure rabies in cats? Unfortunately, rabies has no treatment It acts quickly and is lethal to cats, for this reason, if your cat has been infected, the first thing your veterinarian will isolate it to prevent it from infecting other cats or animals. Depending on the progression of the disease, euthanizing the cat is the only option.
Because there is no cure for feline rabies, prevention is very important, since it is the only way to protect our cats against this disease. Pay special attention to your cat if it leaves the house and is in contact with other animals. Remember that rabies affects dogs, cats, ferrets, bats and foxes. Any fight between your cat and these animals can cause contagion.
Vaccine against rabies in cats
The rabies vaccine is the only real method of preventing rabies. The first dose is given at three months of age, followed by annual boosters. In general, dogs are vaccinated periodically but not cats, so you should consider if your cat is exposed to risk areas or if it comes into contact with wild animals. If so, it is best to follow the feline vaccination schedule.
There are regions of the world that are at higher risk than others. In Europe, rabies is practically eradicated, but from time to time an isolated case arises. Find out about the presence of the disease in your country to be alert and prevent your cat from getting rabies. In some countries vaccination against rabies is mandatory.
This vaccine is mandatory to leave the country with your cat or to participate in competitions or exhibitions in Spain. But if your cat never goes outside, your vet may not think it's necessary to give it to her.
Rabies Vaccine Side Effects in Cats
It is important to note that the vaccine against rabies in cats contains adjuvant, a very aggressive substance that reinforces the effects of the main component of the vaccine, and Thiomersal, a highly toxic mercury compound. For this reason, abusing this vaccine can cause serious side effects, such as the development of a tumor. So when should you get vaccinated against rabies? When it is strictly necessary, that is, when the animal is going to leave the country or when it lives in areas where rabies has not been eradicated and is in danger of contagion. If rabies is controlled in your place of residence, it is not necessary to vaccinate against this disease every year.
How long does the rabies vaccine last in cats?
Today there are vaccines against feline rabies with a duration of up to 4 years.
