Rabies Symptoms in Kittens
Rabies vaccinations are not required for cats, and the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine says "the number of reported feline rabies cases in the United States far exceeds that of dogs and all other domestic animals."
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Unknown Animal Bites
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If an unknown animal has bitten an outdoor kitten, quarantine the kitten for at least eight weeks. Symptoms may not appear for 12 to 180 days. Consider the bite a potential symptom and take protective action.
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Prodromal Stage
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The first symptom of rabies is a change in behavior. Kittens will experience loss of appetite, fever and subtle behavior changes.
Furious Form
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According the saveacat.org, most cats develop the furious form of rabies, displaying anorexia and unprovoked aggression. Cats and kittens at this stage usually die within 10 days.
Paralytic Form
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As the disease progresses, rabid kittens will develop face and jaw paralysis and be unable to swallow.
Warning
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Rabies is a zoonotic disease, meaning it can be passed from animals to humans. If untreated, rabies is always fatal. If you are bitten by an animal of unknown rabies status, seek medical advice immediately.
References
- Photo Credit "Gizmo cat" is Copyrighted by Flickr user: sub_lime79 (Misty) under the Creative Commons Attribution license.
