Rabies in cats - a deadly disease

The rabies virus tolerates a low temperature and is unstable at high temperatures. The impact of direct sunlight and ultraviolet rays, as well as a number of disinfectants for it, is disastrous. This disease is affected, in the first place, by wild animals (fox, wolf, arctic fox, etc.), small rodents and bats. Of domestic animals most often is rabies in cats and dogs.

In a sick animal, the place of concentration of the causative agent of the virus is mainly the spinal cord and the brain, and then it is found in the glands responsible for the production of saliva and tears, where it will travel through the nerve fibers. Infection of the body with this virus leads to severe damage to the nervous system, and most often there is a lethal outcome. Rabies is considered to be the most dangerous disease in the world, and it is dangerous for animals and humans alike.

Every year, humanity is losing about 55,000 people from this disease. Rabies in animals occurs in most cases after a bite, at this point the sick animal passes on to another organism the pathogen of the virus through the saliva. In a cat, the incubation period lasts from 9 to 60 days, in some cases up to a year, the farther from the place of the bite, the longer the cycle will be.

The incidence of rabies depends on the age of the animal, kittens are more susceptible to disease than adult cats, while the incubation period in young individuals is much shorter. Susceptibility to the virus does not depend on the climatic conditions, sex and breed of the animal. It is believed that transmission of infection is possible when the saliva of a sick animal comes into contact with an open wound, a scratch or an abrasion - this is typical for pets.

Veterinary specialists believe that rabies in cats has three forms: violent, quiet and atypical. And the violent form is divided into several stages. At the first stage, the cat tries to retire, hides in a secluded place and for a long time does not go out from there, or, conversely, becomes very affectionate and constantly turns around a person. A biting itch is possible at the site of the bite. Sometimes, she just leaves home and somewhere in the wasteland or in an abandoned place dies.

The second stage is distinguished by aggressiveness towards other animals and even humans. Ferocity and anger reaches such an extent that the cat starts to gnaw various objects, sometimes even breaking teeth. Difficulty of swallowing and breathing, there is abundant salivation. The last stage is characterized by the appearance of convulsions, paralysis progresses, the animal's body is weakened and exhausted. The cat practically does not get up, after a while it dies.

With a quiet form there is an intensive development of paralysis, saliva is flowing, the animal practically does not consume food. A few days later, death occurs. It is noted that the signs of rabies in cats in this form are more frequent than in cats. Atypical form is very difficult to diagnose, can last 90 or more days. In the beginning, there may be bloody diarrhea, vomiting, the body is exhausted, then there comes a temporary improvement and death.

It is known that rabies in cats almost always ends lethal. Treatment of diseased animals is not carried out, they are destroyed, and the residues are burned and disposed of. An effective way to protect and remove the virus is to handle the site of a scratch or bite. The procedure for first aid consists in the immediate and thorough treatment of the wound with water with soap, povidone-iodine or other means capable of destroying the virus.

The treatment performed can prevent a tragic outcome for the animal. Rabies in cats can be prevented if timely preventive measures are taken. They consist in observing the rules of keeping the animal, protecting it from stray and wild animals. For the guarantee, you need to do a preventive vaccination against this disease. The first vaccination of the kitten should be performed at the age of up to six months.