How to Tell if a Cat Has Rabies
Watch for early signs of rabies., Inspect your cat for bites or signs of a fight., Look for signs of “dumb” or paralytic rabies., Be extra cautious if a cat has furious symptoms of rabies.
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Watch for early signs of rabies.
The early stage of rabies can last from two to ten days.
During this time, the cat will seem sick with non-specific symptoms.
Early non-specific signs of rabies include:muscle pain restlessness irritability chills fever malaise, which is a general feeling of sickness and discomfort photophobia, which is a fear of bright lights anorexia, or a disinterest in food vomiting diarrhea cough inability or unwillingness to swallow -
Step 2: Inspect your cat for bites or signs of a fight.
If you think your cat might have come in contact with a rabid animal, check to see if he has any bite marks or signs of a fight.
The rabies virus can live on the cat’s skin or hair for up to two hours, so wear gloves and a long-sleeved shirt and pants before handling the cat.
When an infected animal bites another animal, the infected animal’s saliva may transmit rabies to the healthy animal.
Once the disease enters the body, it travels via the nerves to the spinal cord and brain.Take your cat to a veterinarian right away if you notice any: bite marks scabs scratches ruffled fur with dried saliva abscesses , The dumb form of rabies the most common form of rabies in cats.
A cat suffering from dumb form rabies will seem lethargic, confused, and sick.In this form of rabies, cats are not vicious and rarely attempt to bite.
Symptoms of dumb or paralytic rabies include:paralysis (inability to move) of the legs, facial muscles, or other parts of the body dropping of the lower jaw, leading to a “dumb” look. excess salivation that creates a foam around the mouth difficulty swallowing , Cats with the furious form of rabies are often aggressive, display abnormal behavior, and will foam around the mouth.
Most people think of these behaviors when they think of rabies, but the furious form of rabies is less common in cats than the paralytic form.
Call animal control to assist you if you think a cat is suffering from the furious form of rabies.
A cat with furious form rabies will attack, so do not attempt to capture the cat on your own.
Signs of furious form rabies include:profuse salivation that looks like foam around the cat’s mouth hydrophobia, seeming afraid to go near water or frightened by the sound of water aggression, such as baring teeth as if ready to bite restlessness disinterest in food biting or attacking abnormal behavior, such as chewing on its own body -
Step 3: Look for signs of “dumb” or paralytic rabies.
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Step 4: Be extra cautious if a cat has furious symptoms of rabies.
Detailed Guide
The early stage of rabies can last from two to ten days.
During this time, the cat will seem sick with non-specific symptoms.
Early non-specific signs of rabies include:muscle pain restlessness irritability chills fever malaise, which is a general feeling of sickness and discomfort photophobia, which is a fear of bright lights anorexia, or a disinterest in food vomiting diarrhea cough inability or unwillingness to swallow
If you think your cat might have come in contact with a rabid animal, check to see if he has any bite marks or signs of a fight.
The rabies virus can live on the cat’s skin or hair for up to two hours, so wear gloves and a long-sleeved shirt and pants before handling the cat.
When an infected animal bites another animal, the infected animal’s saliva may transmit rabies to the healthy animal.
Once the disease enters the body, it travels via the nerves to the spinal cord and brain.Take your cat to a veterinarian right away if you notice any: bite marks scabs scratches ruffled fur with dried saliva abscesses , The dumb form of rabies the most common form of rabies in cats.
A cat suffering from dumb form rabies will seem lethargic, confused, and sick.In this form of rabies, cats are not vicious and rarely attempt to bite.
Symptoms of dumb or paralytic rabies include:paralysis (inability to move) of the legs, facial muscles, or other parts of the body dropping of the lower jaw, leading to a “dumb” look. excess salivation that creates a foam around the mouth difficulty swallowing , Cats with the furious form of rabies are often aggressive, display abnormal behavior, and will foam around the mouth.
Most people think of these behaviors when they think of rabies, but the furious form of rabies is less common in cats than the paralytic form.
Call animal control to assist you if you think a cat is suffering from the furious form of rabies.
A cat with furious form rabies will attack, so do not attempt to capture the cat on your own.
Signs of furious form rabies include:profuse salivation that looks like foam around the cat’s mouth hydrophobia, seeming afraid to go near water or frightened by the sound of water aggression, such as baring teeth as if ready to bite restlessness disinterest in food biting or attacking abnormal behavior, such as chewing on its own body
About the Author
Abigail Vasquez
Enthusiastic about teaching hobbies techniques through clear, step-by-step guides.
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