Symptoms of Rabies in Cats: What to Look Out for

1. Behavioral Changes: Cats infected with rabies may experience sudden and drastic changes in behavior. From suddenly becoming aggressive to going from timid to friendly, these changes should be taken as warning signs.
2. Loss of Appetite: The rabies virus can cause paralysis in the muscles, including the throat muscles. This makes it difficult for the cat to swallow and eventually leads to a decrease in its appetite.
3. Drooling and Foam from the Mouth: One of the common signs of a rabies-infected animal is drooling. For cats that don’t normally drool, especially in large amounts, this is a clear sign of rabies. Foam may also be seen in the cat’s mouth area along with drooling.
4. Seizures and Paralysis: If rabies has reached a severe stage, signs include convulsions. Initially, the cat may feel limp and reluctant to move. Over time, its body will twitch and cause seizures. After that, paralysis is the final sign in this phase.
5. Hypersensitivity to Environmental Stimuli: Cats affected by rabies may become extremely hypersensitive to surrounding stimuli, such as sound or light. They may overreact to touch or sounds they find disturbing.

What to do if your cat has rabies:

If you suspect that your cat has rabies based on the signs above, here are some actions you can take:

• No Direct Contact: Avoid direct contact with cats or other animals showing symptoms of rabies. Rabies can be transmitted through a bite or contact with infected saliva.
• Don’t Let It Roam: If your pet cat has symptoms of rabies, do not let them roam the neighborhood, as it can infect other animals and humans.
• Visit a Health Center/Hospital Immediately: If you are already exposed to their bite or saliva, immediately visit a health center/hospital to get an Anti-Rabies Vaccine.
• Contact Rabies Center: Immediately report to the Rabies Center if you find an animal with rabies symptoms.