| Feline Rabies is a serious disease that is caused by | | | | the cat begins to show signs of abnormal behavior. |
| the notorious Rabies virus that is responsible for the | | | | There is often fever and the felid is observed licking |
| condition in numerous outdoor animals as well as | | | | at the site of the bite. Next is the well known furious |
| humans. Transmission is usually through bite of an | | | | phase in which the cat becomes erratic and shows |
| infected animal and the incubation period normally | | | | signs of aggression, restlessness and hyperactivity. |
| lasts for a few weeks, though occasionally it may | | | | There may be paralytic attacks in this stage. These |
| extend to months. Once the symptoms develop, | | | | attacks become more frequent in the ensuing |
| however, there is no cure and the disease in | | | | paralytic phase. During this stage the disease |
| invariably fatal. It is therefore important to be aware | | | | envelops the peripheral nervous system. There is |
| of this potentially lethal condition that can easily | | | | paralysis of nerves that prevents swallowing of even |
| develop in indoor/outdoor pets. | | | | water. Hence the hydrophobia and drooling of saliva. |
| Even as some regions of the world, including | | | | This is the final stage and its onset in an indication |
| Australia, New Zealand, the British Isles and parts of | | | | that death is imminent. Often there is depression and |
| Scandinavia are free from this deadly virus, Rabies | | | | coma just before the poor animal passes away. |
| continues to prevail in most places. It is in fact | | | | The horror of Rabies is amplified by the fact that |
| endemic in certain countries. This is largely owing to | | | | often it is completely insidious before signs of the |
| the widespread presence of the virus in local wildlife | | | | disease appear. Therefore it is hard to diagnose and |
| around most urban and rural population centers. | | | | treat effectively. Once the pathology becomes |
| Animals like foxes, coyotes, feral dogs and cats, | | | | apparent, there is very little that may be done to |
| skunks, wolves and bats carry the Rabies virus and | | | | save the cat. Owing to the lethality of the virus, it is |
| are frequently the vectors of this illness when it | | | | a standard practice in many places to euthanize cats |
| transmits to our house cats, usually through a bite. | | | | that are suspected to be rabid. Posthumous study of |
| Once the virus enters the bloodstream it moves to | | | | the infected animal's brain is the conclusive test for |
| spinal cord and travels across the nervous system to | | | | definitive diagnosis. |
| attack brain and cause drastic neurological and | | | | It is therefore important to get prompt vaccination |
| behavioral changes in the infected feline. | | | | for feline Rabies. Even if an unvaccinated cat has |
| There are three main phases that cats (as well as | | | | been exposed to the virus, it is imperative that the |
| other rabid animals) go through once the nervous | | | | felid be vaccinated immediately. For if the disease has |
| system is under attack and symptomatology | | | | not already spread, there is a chance that your pet |
| appears. First is the prodromal phase. In this stage | | | | may survive! |