Rabies in cats

Rabies in cats usually ends in death. Rabies is an acute viral disease with a severe course. The causative agent of this disease threatens many animals, including humans.

The disease is transmitted by a virus belonging to microviruses, which completely lose their properties during several freezes and thaws. The virus dies at 100°C. A similar disease is also called forest rabies, and it is most often spread by jackals, wolves and foxes.

In adult cats, the disease may be latent for 3-6 weeks. The virus in kittens in a latent form can be 5-7 days. In some cases, in an adult cat, the virus remains latent for a whole year. Even before the appearance of the first clinical symptoms (8-10 days), signs of the virus can be detected in sick cats in saliva.

There are various forms of rabies in cats. With a violent form, the cat develops an aversion to food, she eats almost nothing, tries to stay away from people, does not want to make contact and turns into a lethargic animal. In some cases, the animal seeks the attention of the owner, becomes too affectionate and annoying. But soon this state turns into constant irritability and fearfulness. The cat behaves inappropriately, constantly looks around, tries to attack the owner, bite him or scratch him.

Despite the disgust for ordinary food, the animal begins to eat inedible things: straw, stones, branches, and the like. Since rabies is transmitted through a bite, the cat begins to gnaw or scratch the bitten place. The cat then begins to have difficulty drinking as spasms of the pharyngeal muscles prevent her from drinking. The cat is either depressed and tries to stay away from people, or it shows excessive aggression.

Gradually, parts of the cat's body are covered with paralysis, the animal develops strabismus, the corneas become cloudy. Paralysis leads to cardiac and respiratory arrest. With untimely vaccination or the beginning of treatment, the animal dies.