Rabies in the Cat

Today's Topic :- Rabies in the Cat
Adapted From :- www.healthypets.in

What is rabies?
Rabies is a disease caused by a virus that attacks the brain. It can affect any warm-blooded animal, including cats and humans. It is almost always fatal.

What are the signs of rabies?

There are three stages of the disease. The first is the "prodromal" phase in which there is a marked change in temperament. The quiet cat becomes agitated, and the active cat becomes nervous or shy. Other signs include dilated pupils, excessive drooling, and snapping at imaginary objects. After 2-3 days, the second phase begins. It is called the "excitatory" phase. There is an exaggerated response to any stimulus. Cats may experience bizarre changes in appetite including eating and swallowing sticks, stones, and other objects. The cat may roam aimlessly, inflict trauma upon itself, and have a change in voice. There will often be vicious, aggressive behavior, even towards its owner. Seizures may occur. Sometimes there is a third form, the "dumb" form, in which the cat becomes extremely depressed. Its mouth may gape open with the tongue protruding. A progressive paralysis sets in resulting in total body paralysis.


What happens next?
Ultimately, the cat dies. Although a few, rare cats have survived rabies, these are clearly exceptional cases.

How do I know if a cat has rabies?
There are a number of diseases which can cause some of the signs of rabies. A few conditions can be very similar. Confirmation of rabies can only be made with special tests performed on brain tissue. This requires that the cat be euthanized and his head sent to a special diagnostic laboratory.
Can I contract rabies?
Yes. But rabies is only transmitted by the bite of a rabid animal to another mammal. Even then, the virus is present in saliva of the infected animal for a limited time. If you are bitten by any animal of which you do not know the rabies vaccination status, you should immediately wash the wound thoroughly with soap and water. Try to establish who owns the animal and whether the pet is currently vaccinated for rabies. In any case, seek the advice of your physician. Post-exposure rabies treatment with serum or vaccine may be recommended. This is very successful when begun quickly.


What wild animals are most likely to carry rabies?
All mammals can catch rabies, but some are more susceptible than others. Foxes, skunks, and raccoons are particularly prone to rabies, and one should be very careful if any wild animal seems overly approachable or aggressive


Should I get my cat vaccinated?

Absolutely (and it is required by law in many locales). Rabies vaccines are very safe and very effective. It is recommended for all cats and required by law in many locales. The public health concern is so significant that even totally indoor cats should be vaccinated. Vaccination for rabies is usually performed at three to four months of age, and then every one to three years (depending on the vaccine and the local laws) thereafter.

Cat Diseases

Today's Topic :- Cat Diseases
Adapted From :- www.healthypets.in

There are many diseases, which are common to cats. If ignored some of these diseases may turn out to be fatal. But most of these diseases can be prevented by taking care of simple things. Firstly, keep your cat indoors. Secondly, get your cat vaccinated against some common cat diseases.Some of the common cat diseases are:Upper respiratory infections (URIs).URIs are similar to the common cold in humans. Symptoms include sneezing, running nose and eyes, reddened eyes, fever, and decreased appetite. If left untreated URIs can be fatal. These airborne viruses are highly contagious; they can be transmitted to cats through human handling and through contact with other cats and with inanimate objects such as litter boxes, food bowls, and grooming tools.Separate any new cat from your other cats for at least three weeks until you are sure that the newcomer doesn't have any symptoms of a URI. Prevention is the best approach to URIs. Get your cat vaccinated. But if your cat exhibits URI symptoms contact your veterinarian immediately. The veterinarian will probably prescribe a dosage of antibiotics to prevent secondary infections and give you precise care instructions. Follow them carefully and make sure your cat eats and drinks sufficiently.RabiesRabies is a fatal and one of the more common cat diseases. It is a viral illness that is transmitted through bite wounds from infected animals and attacks the nervous system. Prevent rabies through vaccination and by keeping your cat indoors.Feline panleukopeniaAlso known as feline distemper, this is a highly contagious viral disease that can be transmitted through contact with humans, infected cats, clothing, hair, paws, food bowls, and even cat carriers. The disease comes on suddenly with vomiting, loss of appetite, and diarrhea. Prevent this disease by getting your cat vaccinated against this virus.Feline leukemia virus (FeLV). FeLV is a fatal infectious virus that affects the immune system and can cause several forms of cancer and other associated diseases. It is transmitted through the saliva, urine, and faeces of infected cats.Blood tests can diagnose this disease. The cat should be tested before being vaccinated. Prevention is the only cure for this disease. Get your cat vaccinated and keep it indoors.Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) FIV is similar to human acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) but the disease causing virus is different. This fatal virus attacks the immune system, causing a variety of symptoms. General symptoms include chronic, non-responding infections; respiratory problems; appetite loss; persistent diarrhoea; and severe oral infections. FIV is passed from cat to cat primarily through bites. There is currently no vaccination or cure for FIV. Keep your cat inside to prevent it from contacting FIV.Feline infectious peritonitis (FIP). FIP is deadly virus that is fatal to cats. This virus can take two forms, commonly referred to as wet (which involves fluid in the abdomen) and dry (which does not). Both forms of FIP may cause fever, lethargy, vomiting, diarrhoea, and loss of appetite. There is no effective treatment for FIP. The best way to prevent this disease is to keep your cat indoors away from strange animals and remain up-to-date on vaccines