Rabies is a fatal virus that is highly contagious among pets, including cats. In this blog post, our veterinarians in Monroe will discuss how cats are affected by the rabies virus, including the disease's prevalence, symptoms, and preventive measures you should take.
What is rabies?
Rabies is a highly contagious virus that, thankfully, can be prevented. This disease affects mammals' central nervous systems. The disease spreads through bites from infected animals and travels along the nerves from the site where the bite occurred to the spinal cord and then to the brain. When the rabies virus enters the brain, the infected animal experiences severe symptoms and usually dies within seven days.
How does rabies spread?
Raccoons, bats, foxes, and skunks are the most common carriers of rabies in the United States, but the disease can affect any mammal. Rabies is typically found in areas with high populations of unvaccinated feral cats and dogs.
Rabies spreads through infected mammals' saliva and is most commonly transmitted through bites from infected animals. This disease can also be transmitted when an infected animal's saliva comes into contact with an open wound or mucous membranes, such as the gums. The more your cat comes into contact with wild animals, the more likely it is to become infected.
If your cat has the rabies virus, it can infect you and the other humans and animals in your home. When the saliva of an infected animal, such as your cat, comes into contact with broken skin or mucus membranes, people can become infected with rabies. Contracting rabies from being scratched is possible, but this is extremely rare and unlikely. If you suspect that you have come into contact with the rabies virus, contact your doctor immediately to receive a rabies vaccine and prevent the disease from spreading.
How common is rabies in cats?
Thankfully, rabies is no longer common in cats, thanks largely to the rabies vaccine, which is required for most household pets in most states to help prevent the spread of this deadly illness. However, this virus is now more common in cats than in dogs, with 241 cases of rabies in cats reported in 2018.
Cats who are infected with rabies typically contract the disease after being bitten by a wild animal; however, even if you have an indoor cat, it is still at risk for rabies because infected animals, such as mice, can enter your home and spread the disease to your cat. If you believe another animal has bitten your cat, contact your veterinarian to ensure your feline friend has not been exposed to the rabies virus, even if they are vaccinated.
What are the signs and symptoms of rabies in cats?
When most cat moms and dads learn precisely how serious rabies is, their next question is often how to tell if a cat has rabies. Generally, there are three recognizable stages of the rabies virus in cats. Below, you'll find information about how each stage of rabies manifests, and the signs and symptoms that typically accompany each:
Prodromal stage – At this stage, a rabid cat will typically exhibit changes in behavior that differ from its usual personality; for example, if your kitty is normally shy, it may become more outgoing, and vice versa. If you notice any behavioral changes in your cat after an unknown bite, keep it away from other pets and family members and contact your veterinarian immediately.
Furious stage - This is the most dangerous stage because it causes your pet to become nervous and even vicious. They may scream incessantly, have seizures, and stop eating. The virus has progressed to the point where it is attacking the nervous system, preventing your cat from swallowing, resulting in the classic symptom of excessive drooling known as "foaming at the mouth."
Paralytic stage - This is the stage at which a rabid cat will go into a coma and cease breathing. Unfortunately, this is the stage at which most pets die. This usually happens about seven days after the symptoms first appear, with death occurring after about three days.
How long will it take for my cat to show symptoms of rabies?
If your cat has been exposed to the rabies virus, it will likely not show any symptoms immediately. The typical incubation period is three to eight weeks, lasting anywhere from 10 days to a year.
The time it takes for symptoms to appear depends entirely on the infection's location. A bite that is closer to the spine or brain will develop much faster than others, and the severity of the bite will also play a role.
What are my chances of getting rabies if I am scratched by my cat?
Rabies is transmitted through saliva, so fortunately, the chances of contracting rabies from a cat scratch are low. The only chance it might spread through a scratch is when scratching is accompanied by hissing and biting, which can aerosolize and transmit the virus to another individual.
How is rabies treated in cats?
Unfortunately, if your cat develops rabies symptoms, you or your veterinarian can do nothing to help it. There is no known cure for rabies, and once symptoms appear, the cat's health will deteriorate in a matter of days.
Provide proof of vaccination to your veterinarian if your kitten or cat has received the shots that protect them from rabies, including all required boosters. If anyone comes into contact with their saliva or is bitten by your cat (including yourself), tell them to see a doctor immediately. Unfortunately, rabies is always fatal in unvaccinated animals, usually within 7 to 10 days of the onset of symptoms.
You must notify your local health department if your cat is diagnosed with rabies. Unvaccinated pets that are bitten or exposed to a known rabid animal must be quarantined for up to six months or for the length of time specified by local and state regulations. In contrast, a vaccinated animal that has bitten or scratched a human should be quarantined and monitored for 10 days.
To alleviate their suffering and to protect the other people and pets in your home, your pet should be humanely euthanized. If your cat dies suddenly from what you suspect is rabies, your veterinarian may advise you to have a sample of the cat's brain examined. The only sure way to diagnose rabies is through direct brain testing.
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.