Cat Rabies Signs

Rabies is an infectious disease that is fatal in animals and humans when it is not treated immediately after infection. There are more cases of feline infection with rabies than dogs, according to Purdue University. When a cat begins showing outward signs of the disease, the only outcome is death. The cat can transmit the virus to humans one day before symptoms appear to three days after symptoms appear, according to Kansas State University.

  1. Aggression

    • Rabid cats that are in extreme pain may be likely to bite. Adults and children should stay away from cats that appear sick. The rabies virus is passed through the saliva of infected animals. A cat bite injects the virus directly into the wound. Formerly friendly and docile cats may become very aggressive when sick from rabies.

    Extreme Pain

    • Cats suffering from the rabies virus are in extreme pain as the virus travels through the central nervous system. An infected cat may show obvious signs of pain.

    Lethargy

    • Cats also appear lethargic as rabies infects the brain. There are two distinct sets of symptoms referred to as the furious stage with symptoms of aggression and the dumb stage with symptoms of lethargy and depression, according to Kansas State University. Cats that were once lively and full of energy will appear sluggish when infected with rabies.

    Withdrawn

    • A domesticated cat that is normally friendly and sociable will withdraw and prefer to be alone when sick with rabies, according to Kansas State University. Rabid cats deviate from their normal behavior when sick with the virus.

    Loss of Appetite

    • Cats with rabies have little interest in food or water, according to the University of Missouri. A cat that has been bitten by a rabid animal and is not vaccinated against the virus should be euthanized at once. Cats that have been vaccinated should receive an additional vaccination as soon as they are exposed to rabies. The illness must be reported to the local health department as soon as an animal is diagnosed with rabies.