In recent years, this terrible disease has become more apparent in cats than in dogs, which causes fear among many fans of these furry creatures. Our pets, especially those who walk freely around the house, are very at risk of catching this infection. Therefore, their owners should know what measures should be taken to protect themselves and their pets.
Causes of rabies in cats
This deadly disease, affecting all warm-blooded creatures, causes Rabies virus. If there is a suspicion that your animal is infected with this disease, you should immediately go to the veterinary laboratory, and make an analysis for rabies in cats. The virus can be found in the salivary glands and internal organs. This microorganism dies when heated to 100 degrees, but lives frozen for a very long time, up to several months. Also, it can exist in a rotting environment for up to three weeks. For disinfection use a solution of formalin (2-5%) or alkali. It affects the nervous system, and the disease is extremely difficult, almost always with a fatal outcome.
How is rabies transmitted in cats?
In the wild, various predatory animals are carriers of the disease. Rabies in cats can occur after she eats a sick rodent, it is also transmitted through bites or injuries received from an infected animal. These can be foxes, wolves or jackals. Also dangerous is the contact of your pets with stray dogs and cats that can infect them not only with rabies , but with other various infectious diseases. It is very dangerous that the latent period of the disease is quite large - up to three to six weeks. In small kittens it is shorter - 5-7 days. Although there have been cases that the hidden period has reached even one year. An analysis of rabies in cats showed a positive result 8-10 days before the first clinical signs began to appear visually.
How does rabies develop in cats?
It all depends on which of the three forms of the disease occurs:
- The violent form . The first signs of rabies in cats are that they become sluggish, they lose their appetite, and animals begin to shun the society of people. Although sometimes a cat can, on the contrary, be too intrusive, and rub against the feet. The defeat of the nervous system changes her habitual behavior. Further they become very restless, timid, can scratch the mistress. If the usual food they eat reluctantly, then solid objects can be gnawed or swallowed for a long time. The most important sign of this disease is that animals can not drink liquid because of spasms in the pharynx, and saliva begins to be abundantly released. Attacks of violence can lead to an attack on people, and then they are replaced by an oppressed state. Annoyance from her can cause the slightest noise or scream. Begin to show signs of exhaustion of the body, the voice disappears. Paralysis causes sagging of the lower jaw, the tongue falls out, possibly a squint and a clouding of the cornea. Then her hind legs, fore and torso, are paralyzed. The death of an animal occurs as a result of stopping breathing and the heart. All this lasts from 3 to 11 days.
- Light or paralytic form . Rabies in a domestic cat does not appear externally at first. She is affectionate and can not leave you, but her saliva is already a threat. In this form, the disease can last about 2-4 days. Then she can start biting, becoming restless. The first sign is the sagging of the jaw, the salivation and the animal is hard to swallow. The cat seemed to choke with bone. She may show signs of hemorrhagic gastroenteritis (inflammation of the stomach or intestines with the appearance of animal feces in feces).
- Atypical form . In this case, there are signs of enteritis or gastritis. The cat can begin diarrhea, vomiting and the body is exhausted. Atypical stage does not allow to quickly recognize the true disease.
Rabies in cats - treatment
Unfortunately, right now doctors have not been able to find a cure for this dangerous disease. At the slightest suspicion, it is best to contact the vet immediately. All animals are euthanized so that they do not infect others, and the owner and his family undergo a course of vaccinations. The only method that helps to protect yourself from the disease is vaccination against rabies in cats. The first time it is usually held in three months, then every year. Side effects such a procedure does not cause, but usually abstain from vaccinating a cat during pregnancy. Try to ensure that the animal at this time was healthy and not affected by parasites. Two weeks before the vaccination for this, she is given anthelmintic drugs .