Rabies in Cats

What is rabies?

Rabies is one of the most devastating viral diseases affecting mammals, including cats and humans. It is a fatal disease caused by infection with the rabies virus. When signs of rabies occur, it is an almost invariably fatal disease.

Rabies virus is found throughout the world, including North America, Central and South America, Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and some parts of Europe. 

However, there are areas in the world that are rabies-free, including Antarctica, Australia, Fiji, Finland, Iceland, the Republic of Ireland, Japan, New Zealand, Norway, Sweden, and the United Kingdom (England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland). These rabies-free countries have relied on strict quarantine laws to keep the disease out and to stop the virus from getting into the wildlife of those countries. This list is subject to change as a country’s rabies status is constantly under review.

How is the virus transmitted?

Rabies is transmitted when one infected animal bites another. Transmission by other means is rare. After the bite occurs, the rabies virus reproduces in the tissues near the wound, then uses the peripheral nerves (any nerves that are outside the brain and spinal cord) to travel to the spinal cord, and then it moves to the brain. After the virus enters the brain, it spreads to the salivary glands and organs. Once in the salivary glands, the virus can be shed in the saliva. Rabies virus does not survive long outside a mammal's body.

In North America, the skunk, raccoon, fox, and bat are important reservoirs for the virus, whereas in Europe, foxes are the main source of infection for people and other animals. In Asia, Africa, and Latin America, the main reservoir is not wildlife, but stray, free-roaming dogs. In these areas, human infection is more common.

How long is the incubation period?

The incubation period (the time until clinical signs appear) can vary from ten days to one year or longer. The incubation in cats is generally less than in dogs, and is typically three to eight weeks. Death usually occurs within 10 days of the first onset of signs. The speed at which clinical signs develop depends on several factors:

• The site of infection. The nearer the bite is to the brain and spinal cord, the quicker the virus reaches the nervous tissue and causes symptoms.
• The severity of the bite.
• The amount of virus introduced by the bite. Rabies virus is not always present in the saliva of an infected animal.

What are the clinical signs of rabies?

Following a bite or scratch from a rabid animal, the disease progresses through three stages:

1. In the first or prodromal stage, there is a marked change in temperament; quiet cats become agitated and can become aggressive, while active extroverts may become nervous or shy.
2. This phase is then followed by so-called furious rabies, which is the most recognizable form seen in the cat. During this phase, excitement predominates, and it is at this stage that the cat is most dangerous, both to other animals and to the owner. The cat becomes increasingly nervous, irritable, and vicious. Muscle spasms will often prevent swallowing and there is excessive drooling of saliva.
3. The third stage is the paralytic stage, which usually occurs after about seven days. Ultimately, the cat will become comatose and die.

A noted feature of rabies in cats is the widely dilated pupil throughout all stages of the disease.

How is rabies diagnosed?

Rabies can only be diagnosed by direct examination of the brain. It is not possible to diagnose this disease in a living animal. If there is a high suspicion that the animal has rabies, or if an animal showing symptoms of rabies dies suddenly, your veterinarian may recommend submission of the appropriate brain samples for testing.

Is it possible to survive a bite from a rabid animal?

In some cases, there is no rabies virus in the saliva at the time the rabid animal bites another. In this situation, the bitten animal will not develop rabies. However, once the symptoms of rabies develop, the disease will almost invariably progress to death.

There are very rare and poorly documented cases where people or animals have recovered. However, as Louis Pasteur was the first to show, it is possible to interrupt the progression from an infected bite to the onset of signs by using early post-bite anti-rabies serum. This antiserum contains specific immune antibodies to the virus. The most important method for preventing the progression of rabies is by administering an immediate dose of rabies vaccine. The vaccine stimulates the bitten animal to develop its own neutralizing antibodies to the rabies virus.

Is post-bite vaccination used in exposed cats?

If there is potential exposure in an unvaccinated cat but no human exposure, then the cat should be given a rabies vaccination and placed in a strict quarantine (no direct contact with people) for many months.

Because of the potential risk to people, an unvaccinated exposed cat that has bitten or scratched a human would not normally be given either an antiserum or vaccine, because it could cause a rare adverse reaction that may mimic the signs of infection. If there is a high probability of exposure, the safest policy is to euthanize the animal; the alternative is strict quarantine for many months.

If the exposed cat has previously been vaccinated, then a booster vaccination is indicated, followed by a period of quarantine determined by local public health regulations and careful observation.

What is the treatment for rabies?

There is no treatment for a cat with rabies. If rabies is suspected, the cat must be kept in quarantine and prevented from escaping or injuring someone. Your veterinarian is required by law to notify the animal disease regulatory authorities.

Can I catch rabies?

Yes, rabies is zoonotic (can be transmitted from an animal to humans). However, it is only transmitted by the bite of a rabid animal. The virus is present in the saliva of the infected animal only for a limited time. If you are bitten by any animal, you should immediately wash the wound thoroughly with soap and water and seek the advice of a doctor. Any bite could mean rabies exposure.

"If you are bitten by any animal, you should immediately wash the wound thoroughly 
with soap and water and seek the advice of a doctor."

Suspicious animals include stray or feral dogs or cats, any wild animal, and unvaccinated pets (including those not up to date on their vaccines), particularly if the animal is showing unusual behavior such as lack of fear of people, excessive salivation, or aggression.

In February 2018, the World Health Organization issued a new rabies vaccination and post-exposure recommendation. People who have been bitten and have not previously been vaccinated for rabies should receive immunoglobulin (antibody) promptly, followed by a series of vaccines. Those previously vaccinated do not require immunoglobulin but will still receive several vaccines against the virus.

Should my cat be vaccinated?

Yes, your cat should be vaccinated. Rabies vaccination is required by law in most states and provinces. Rabies vaccination of cats is important for your safety as well as your cat's safety. Rabies vaccines are very effective and are usually given to kittens at three to four months of age. Depending on your state or provincial laws, and the advice of your veterinarian, re-vaccination will be recommended at specific intervals.

Are there any ill effects from rabies vaccination?

Rabies vaccines are safe and there is no risk of the vaccine causing rabies. The formation of lumps or cancers (sarcomas) has been associated with some types of killed vaccines in the past, but these cases are extremely rare. Vaccines that are less prone to creating tissue reactions are available, so talk with your veterinarian if you are concerned about this remote possibility.

As with all vaccines, the individual cat may show some transient mild side effects in the day or so following vaccination. These may include some lethargy and inappetence. If your cat shows more pronounced signs, including difficulty breathing, this could indicate an allergic reaction to one or more components of the vaccine and you should call your veterinarian at once.