Symptoms of Rabies

RABIES IN CATS

Rabies is one of the oldest known communicable diseases known to man. It is caused by a deadly virus that targets the nervous system of its victim causing it to breakdown that eventually results to death. Rabies is popularly associated with dogs but the reality is that any warm blooded animal can be infected with the Lyssa virus. CATS included.

Although rabies in CATS is unusual, it is possible. This is why it is important to have an understanding of what rabies for CATS is all about so that their owner can take the necessary precautionary measures to assure the prevention of rabies infection.

The Lyssa virus which is a bullet shaped virus that belongs to the Rhabdoviridae family is the main agent that causes rabies. The rabies virus is easily influenced by heat and a number of disinfectants. The virus can be transmitted by getting in contact with the infected cat’s saliva. A cat’s scratch will not give you rabies but a simple lick by a cat on an open wound will definitely get you infected.

The symptoms and signs of rabies seen in dogs are similarly the same with the symptoms and signs seen in CATS. The three stages of infection namely the prodormal, furious and paralytic stages are also manifested by the infected felines. Maturity period of the virus is approximated from 2 to 12 weeks. The following are some of the early symptoms that you can detect to determine if your cat is rabid or not: 1) it roars aloud and bites almost anything that it gets in its way, 2) conjunctivitis, 3) and the inability to move even after prodding.

No matter how similar or different the symptoms for dogs and CATS may be, in the end. Death is still their final destination.

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