Tell me all you know about rabies
March 12, 2012 6:26 PM Subscribe
My sister's cat does not have a rabies shot, and she got out of the house and was missing for four days. I just got her back in the house, but I'm worried that she might have rabies. What should I do? Snowflaky details inside.
Note: I did some research online, but there's a lot of contradictory information out there, so I figured I would get the straight dope from MeFi.
Background: So.. I just got the cat back in the house an hour ago. So far, she's not showing any overt rabies symptoms, but I believe that the virus might take a while to incubate. HOWEVER, she is showing really aggressive behavior, which is not typical of her. I'm also worried about myself. I think I had a rabies vaccination approximately six years ago, but there's really no consensus on how long the vaccination is good for. So..
+ How can I determine, in the early stages, if this cat is rabid?
+ How long do human rabies vaccinations last?
+ What should I do if I am bitten or scratched by her? I don't have health insurance, so a trip to the ER would be incredibly costly.
+ What happens when a human contracts rabies? One site I stumbled across [possibly wikipedia] stated that there's only been six cases of human survival once the human has contracted clinical rabies. Is this true?
+ In general, what would you do if an un-vaccinated cat showed up again after days prowling the neighborhood/adjoining woods?
Thanks so much!
I also realize that these cats should be vaccinated, and I will make sure that they are ASAP.
Note: I did some research online, but there's a lot of contradictory information out there, so I figured I would get the straight dope from MeFi.
Background: So.. I just got the cat back in the house an hour ago. So far, she's not showing any overt rabies symptoms, but I believe that the virus might take a while to incubate. HOWEVER, she is showing really aggressive behavior, which is not typical of her. I'm also worried about myself. I think I had a rabies vaccination approximately six years ago, but there's really no consensus on how long the vaccination is good for. So..
+ How can I determine, in the early stages, if this cat is rabid?
+ How long do human rabies vaccinations last?
+ What should I do if I am bitten or scratched by her? I don't have health insurance, so a trip to the ER would be incredibly costly.
+ What happens when a human contracts rabies? One site I stumbled across [possibly wikipedia] stated that there's only been six cases of human survival once the human has contracted clinical rabies. Is this true?
+ In general, what would you do if an un-vaccinated cat showed up again after days prowling the neighborhood/adjoining woods?
Thanks so much!
I also realize that these cats should be vaccinated, and I will make sure that they are ASAP.
Empath's right. I will say, though, that unusually aggressive behavior is, in my experience, typical of an otherwise indoor-only cat that has gotten out and spent a bunch of time freaked out and hiding somewhere outside. It will probably take the kitty a few days to totally chill out again - in the meantime, isolation is a good way to let her calm down on her own.
posted by restless_nomad at 6:37 PM on March 12, 2012 [14 favorites]
posted by restless_nomad at 6:37 PM on March 12, 2012 [14 favorites]
Yes, you should isolate the cat from all humans and animals for now, and contact your vet in the morning. Basement or unused bathroom, with litter box, food, water, and soft place to sit.
Does the cat show any signs of having been in a fight? Injuries to ears, torn out patches of fur, that sort of thing?
On the positive side - the cat's aggressiveness is very likely just from its being freaked out by its outdoor adventure.
It would be very early for it to show signs of rabies, even if it was exposed during its 4-day adventure.
ASPCA page on rabies in cats says:
"Animals will not show signs immediately following exposure to a rabid animal. Symptoms can be varied and can take months to develop. Classic signs of rabies in cats are changes in behavior (including aggression, restlessness and lethargy), increased vocalization, loss of appetite, weakness, disorientation, paralysis, seizures and even sudden death."
Your vet can talk you through the likelihood that the cat was exposed to rabies (whether that's checking for evidence of bites/fights, or just having a sense of whether there is active rabies in your area). Be aware the only way to actually test for rabies is to kill the animal, so this is not something you want to be cavalier about.
In the mean time, limit your exposure especially to the cat's body fluids (including bites). If you are exposed to the bite or body fluids of possibly-rabid animal, you will need to have a series of shots immediately, no matter what the cost. Rabies will kill you, period, if you contract it. There is no "wait and see if you develop it" because by the time you develop symptoms it's too late.
posted by LobsterMitten at 6:48 PM on March 12, 2012 [3 favorites]
Does the cat show any signs of having been in a fight? Injuries to ears, torn out patches of fur, that sort of thing?
On the positive side - the cat's aggressiveness is very likely just from its being freaked out by its outdoor adventure.
It would be very early for it to show signs of rabies, even if it was exposed during its 4-day adventure.
ASPCA page on rabies in cats says:
"Animals will not show signs immediately following exposure to a rabid animal. Symptoms can be varied and can take months to develop. Classic signs of rabies in cats are changes in behavior (including aggression, restlessness and lethargy), increased vocalization, loss of appetite, weakness, disorientation, paralysis, seizures and even sudden death."
Your vet can talk you through the likelihood that the cat was exposed to rabies (whether that's checking for evidence of bites/fights, or just having a sense of whether there is active rabies in your area). Be aware the only way to actually test for rabies is to kill the animal, so this is not something you want to be cavalier about.
In the mean time, limit your exposure especially to the cat's body fluids (including bites). If you are exposed to the bite or body fluids of possibly-rabid animal, you will need to have a series of shots immediately, no matter what the cost. Rabies will kill you, period, if you contract it. There is no "wait and see if you develop it" because by the time you develop symptoms it's too late.
posted by LobsterMitten at 6:48 PM on March 12, 2012 [3 favorites]
Quarantine the cat.
This is probably a cat that's freaked the fuck out. Your Dept of Health can tell you if there have been rabies reports in the area. Until then, quarantine the cat and then take it to the vet tomorrow. The vet will quarantine your cat for a set period of time... like 10 or so days? It can vary.
Get the cat vaccinated next time as you're aware.
What should I do if I am bitten or scratched by her? I don't have health insurance, so a trip to the ER would be incredibly costly.
It is transmitted through saliva. Do not get bitten.
What happens when a human contracts rabies? One site I stumbled across [possibly wikipedia] stated that there's only been six cases of human survival once the human has contracted clinical rabies. Is this true?
Yes, it is true. What happens is you die if untreated. But they would vaccinate/treat you if you had been exposed. It's not as onerous as it used to be. You can call a nurse helpline if you are worried. That would be best.
It is very unlikely that your cat has rabies. Very unlikely. That doesn't mean it's impossible, of course, which is why you are going to quarantine the cat tonight then take it to the vet tomorrow at which point your vet will give you better advice than all of us.
posted by OnTheLastCastle at 6:48 PM on March 12, 2012 [6 favorites]
This is probably a cat that's freaked the fuck out. Your Dept of Health can tell you if there have been rabies reports in the area. Until then, quarantine the cat and then take it to the vet tomorrow. The vet will quarantine your cat for a set period of time... like 10 or so days? It can vary.
Get the cat vaccinated next time as you're aware.
What should I do if I am bitten or scratched by her? I don't have health insurance, so a trip to the ER would be incredibly costly.
It is transmitted through saliva. Do not get bitten.
What happens when a human contracts rabies? One site I stumbled across [possibly wikipedia] stated that there's only been six cases of human survival once the human has contracted clinical rabies. Is this true?
Yes, it is true. What happens is you die if untreated. But they would vaccinate/treat you if you had been exposed. It's not as onerous as it used to be. You can call a nurse helpline if you are worried. That would be best.
It is very unlikely that your cat has rabies. Very unlikely. That doesn't mean it's impossible, of course, which is why you are going to quarantine the cat tonight then take it to the vet tomorrow at which point your vet will give you better advice than all of us.
posted by OnTheLastCastle at 6:48 PM on March 12, 2012 [6 favorites]
In general, what would you do if an un-vaccinated cat showed up again after days prowling the neighborhood/adjoining woods?
I wouldn't worry about it in the slightest personally.
posted by fshgrl at 6:48 PM on March 12, 2012 [20 favorites]
I wouldn't worry about it in the slightest personally.
posted by fshgrl at 6:48 PM on March 12, 2012 [20 favorites]
Has the cat never had a rabies shot, or is just not current? The latent period for rabies is about 2 months. If she has had a rabies shot at some point, she will likely have a titer.
posted by bolognius maximus at 6:49 PM on March 12, 2012
posted by bolognius maximus at 6:49 PM on March 12, 2012
How can I determine, in the early stages, if this cat is rabid?
You can't. Right now, the only reliable way to test an animal for rabies is to test the brain tissue. However, the standard time to quarantine a possibly rabid dog or cat is 10 days; that is because the length of time from beginning of symptoms until death is believed to be 10 days in dogs and cats.
+ What happens when a human contracts rabies? One site I stumbled across [possibly wikipedia] stated that there's only been six cases of human survival once the human has contracted clinical rabies. Is this true?
Usually death. The first ever documented case of human survival after the start of symptoms only happened in the past decade. There have been a handful more, I don't know if it's. The treatment works something like 10 percent of the time and involves being put into an artificial coma for weeks.
+ In general, what would you do if an un-vaccinated cat showed up again after days prowling the neighborhood/adjoining woods?
If the cat scratched or bit me or its saliva came in contact with any open sores or mucous membranes on my body, I would get my ass to the doctor ASAP.
Otherwise, I would get the cat vaccinated, and stay away from it for a while. Rabies can incubate for months or years.
posted by cairdeas at 6:50 PM on March 12, 2012 [2 favorites]
You can't. Right now, the only reliable way to test an animal for rabies is to test the brain tissue. However, the standard time to quarantine a possibly rabid dog or cat is 10 days; that is because the length of time from beginning of symptoms until death is believed to be 10 days in dogs and cats.
+ What happens when a human contracts rabies? One site I stumbled across [possibly wikipedia] stated that there's only been six cases of human survival once the human has contracted clinical rabies. Is this true?
Usually death. The first ever documented case of human survival after the start of symptoms only happened in the past decade. There have been a handful more, I don't know if it's. The treatment works something like 10 percent of the time and involves being put into an artificial coma for weeks.
+ In general, what would you do if an un-vaccinated cat showed up again after days prowling the neighborhood/adjoining woods?
If the cat scratched or bit me or its saliva came in contact with any open sores or mucous membranes on my body, I would get my ass to the doctor ASAP.
Otherwise, I would get the cat vaccinated, and stay away from it for a while. Rabies can incubate for months or years.
posted by cairdeas at 6:50 PM on March 12, 2012 [2 favorites]
You are right, there is nor consensus on how long your rabies shot will last, so you certainly shouldn't count on being immune. However, unless your cat has any injuries consistent with a fight of any kind, I would not worry, your cat has every reason to be freaked the fuck out. You have not yet seen any evidence of rabies, days is not really enough time. If your cat continues to be worrisome in a few weeks I'd go to a vet to get them checked out for that.
posted by Blasdelb at 6:53 PM on March 12, 2012 [1 favorite]
posted by Blasdelb at 6:53 PM on March 12, 2012 [1 favorite]
Last year, I tried to help a neighbor catch a stray cat to take to the vet. I will never do that again. The seemingly sweet kitty turned on me, lept four feet into the air, grabbed my forearm with all 4 legs & both jaws. Went to clinic for tetanus shots & antibiotics that evening. Waited for hours for the staff to deal with the health department (who acted incompetently at every level, but that's a different story). Our options were 1) go ahead & start rabies treatment (very expensive) or 2) go home, catch the dang cat, quarantine him for two weeks, and if he's asymptotic assume that I'm rabies free. (I think there was a 3rd - catch the cat & take him to health dept for decapitation, but we didn't consider.)
We finally caught the cat (my husband and I ran around the neighborhood in full leather outfits in 90 degree+ heat until the cat surrendered). Finally found a vet who would board an animal with no rabies vaccination for 2 weeks. Paid for the $500 in medical & vet bills -- we got the cat fixed & immunized at the end of his vet stay. And now my mom has an awesome new cat, and I don't have rabies.
If you have an unvaccinated cat, it will develop symptoms within 2 weeks (aggression, hydrophobia, etc.). But don't give a cat that may have rabies a vaccination; it will just mask the symptoms. The vet will know the protocol for your state's health department. Vámonos!
posted by Kronur at 6:54 PM on March 12, 2012 [3 favorites]
We finally caught the cat (my husband and I ran around the neighborhood in full leather outfits in 90 degree+ heat until the cat surrendered). Finally found a vet who would board an animal with no rabies vaccination for 2 weeks. Paid for the $500 in medical & vet bills -- we got the cat fixed & immunized at the end of his vet stay. And now my mom has an awesome new cat, and I don't have rabies.
If you have an unvaccinated cat, it will develop symptoms within 2 weeks (aggression, hydrophobia, etc.). But don't give a cat that may have rabies a vaccination; it will just mask the symptoms. The vet will know the protocol for your state's health department. Vámonos!
posted by Kronur at 6:54 PM on March 12, 2012 [3 favorites]
Rabies is transmitted primarily by biting. If the cat is uninjured, the chances it contracted rabies are slim to none. Cat's had a rough few days though, and it could have any manner of issues, so keeping it contained for a while isn't a bad idea.
posted by Patapsco Mike at 6:55 PM on March 12, 2012
posted by Patapsco Mike at 6:55 PM on March 12, 2012
Oh, what would I personally do is the question? Probably not much except get the cat vaccinated the next day and see if there were any rabies cases in my county.
The cat is super upset because it was outside. Anytime an indoor cat gets out, it is basically an entire period of unfettered terror for them.
posted by OnTheLastCastle at 6:55 PM on March 12, 2012 [2 favorites]
The cat is super upset because it was outside. Anytime an indoor cat gets out, it is basically an entire period of unfettered terror for them.
posted by OnTheLastCastle at 6:55 PM on March 12, 2012 [2 favorites]
Oh, and anything that happened to her in the past 4 days would probably not be enough time for her to be starting to show symptoms right now. It has to make its way through the nervous system up to the brain. Unless she's got a ton of bites all over her face/neck, it would be bizarre for symptoms to show up that quickly.
posted by cairdeas at 6:56 PM on March 12, 2012 [1 favorite]
posted by cairdeas at 6:56 PM on March 12, 2012 [1 favorite]
+ How can I determine, in the early stages, if this cat is rabid?
You cannot. The only reliable rabies test must be performed post-mortem.
+ How long do human rabies vaccinations last?
It varies. My wife got a rabies vaccination 10 years ago that is still active (she gets her blood checked every year for her job), but she has coworkers who have no appreciable antibodies a year after vaccination.
+ What should I do if I am bitten or scratched by her?
Go to the ER immediately, because...
+ What happens when a human contracts rabies? One site I stumbled across [possibly wikipedia] stated that there's only been six cases of human survival once the human has contracted clinical rabies. Is this true?
Yes, rabies is essentially 100% fatal.
+ In general, what would you do if an un-vaccinated cat showed up again after days prowling the neighborhood/adjoining woods?
After all that, basically nothing. Take the cat to the vet, get it thoroughly examined for cuts or scratches, and get it a rabies booster. If it has evidence of wounds or other symptoms develop, you and your vet can reassess at that point.
posted by Rock Steady at 7:01 PM on March 12, 2012 [1 favorite]
You cannot. The only reliable rabies test must be performed post-mortem.
+ How long do human rabies vaccinations last?
It varies. My wife got a rabies vaccination 10 years ago that is still active (she gets her blood checked every year for her job), but she has coworkers who have no appreciable antibodies a year after vaccination.
+ What should I do if I am bitten or scratched by her?
Go to the ER immediately, because...
+ What happens when a human contracts rabies? One site I stumbled across [possibly wikipedia] stated that there's only been six cases of human survival once the human has contracted clinical rabies. Is this true?
Yes, rabies is essentially 100% fatal.
+ In general, what would you do if an un-vaccinated cat showed up again after days prowling the neighborhood/adjoining woods?
After all that, basically nothing. Take the cat to the vet, get it thoroughly examined for cuts or scratches, and get it a rabies booster. If it has evidence of wounds or other symptoms develop, you and your vet can reassess at that point.
posted by Rock Steady at 7:01 PM on March 12, 2012 [1 favorite]
Very unlikely she has rabies, although not impossible.
As mentioned above, the agressive behavior is most likely due to having had her adventure.
Rabies has no cure.
Most of the time it is sufficient to watch carefully (quarrantine) for about 10 days to see if other symptoms emerge.
There is no way to definatively diagnose rabies without special tests which include removal of the head and testing the brain tissue. No blood tests or anything like that, so that's why we quarrantine to watch for other signs. If we really suspect it after a quarrantine period, then we euthanize and do the tests.
It's rare.
posted by bebrave! at 7:02 PM on March 12, 2012
As mentioned above, the agressive behavior is most likely due to having had her adventure.
Rabies has no cure.
Most of the time it is sufficient to watch carefully (quarrantine) for about 10 days to see if other symptoms emerge.
There is no way to definatively diagnose rabies without special tests which include removal of the head and testing the brain tissue. No blood tests or anything like that, so that's why we quarrantine to watch for other signs. If we really suspect it after a quarrantine period, then we euthanize and do the tests.
It's rare.
posted by bebrave! at 7:02 PM on March 12, 2012
My at the time 7 year old son was exposed to a bat that for various reasons we and the other parents were concerned had rabies. After speaking with a few doctors, his mother and I decided to have him get the shots for rabies. This was about 10 years ago, but I recall that the only charge was for an office visit for the 3 shots and that the county supplied the serum. I think he had three shots over about a 6-8 week period and the whole thing cost us about $200. That seemed like a cheap insurance policy at the time. The difference was that we were unable to observe the bat for the period of time necessary to determine if it had rabies.
Consider asking your doctor about having the first shot in the series and then observing the cat over the next two weeks and if need be continue the series and if not, don't. Not sure if once you start you need to finish.
posted by JohnnyGunn at 7:08 PM on March 12, 2012
Consider asking your doctor about having the first shot in the series and then observing the cat over the next two weeks and if need be continue the series and if not, don't. Not sure if once you start you need to finish.
posted by JohnnyGunn at 7:08 PM on March 12, 2012
Seconding the affordability of the rabies sequence. Your county health department is required ( or is supposed to be required) to monitor and control rabies, and the human sequence shots are part of it.
posted by halfbuckaroo at 7:17 PM on March 12, 2012 [1 favorite]
posted by halfbuckaroo at 7:17 PM on March 12, 2012 [1 favorite]
Agreeing with everyone else that the chances of the cat having rabies is INCREDIBLY low. However, if you worried please contact your health provider and they will help you determine if post-exposure vaccines are warranted and/or covered in your case. (And for the record, human rabies vaccines typically have a very long efficacy period. I was vaccinated in 1996 and get my titers checked every two years and I am still good. The feline vaccines are also effective for way longer than the standard protocol dictates, so if she's had them in the past but is overdue, you're also likely covered there.)
posted by troublewithwolves at 8:14 PM on March 12, 2012
posted by troublewithwolves at 8:14 PM on March 12, 2012
Your county health/environmental agency will also usually post known rabies cases in the region which is another good data point for you to have -- if nothing else but as a gauge that will (hopefully) set your mind at ease.
I'd also suggest you call and speak with the vet before you take the cat in -- as the aggressive/freaked out behavior is normal for an indoor cat that has been outside -- and also means increased chances of biting/scratching you and the vet staff.
Nthing unlikely to have rabies but consult with vet.
posted by countrymod at 8:15 PM on March 12, 2012
I'd also suggest you call and speak with the vet before you take the cat in -- as the aggressive/freaked out behavior is normal for an indoor cat that has been outside -- and also means increased chances of biting/scratching you and the vet staff.
Nthing unlikely to have rabies but consult with vet.
posted by countrymod at 8:15 PM on March 12, 2012
I wouldn't be too worried about rabies, but I would consider getting a test for feline leukemia/HIV if you have any reason to think you cat might have come into contact with a stray.
Both of those are much more common than rabies and are easier to transmit. They won't make you sick, but if your cat has it, you'll want to know. I agree that your cat is probably freaking out from being lost outside, so some alone time will probably calm him/her down.
I am not a vet, but I've got two cats, so I see mine all the time.
posted by Fister Roboto at 8:23 PM on March 12, 2012 [2 favorites]
Both of those are much more common than rabies and are easier to transmit. They won't make you sick, but if your cat has it, you'll want to know. I agree that your cat is probably freaking out from being lost outside, so some alone time will probably calm him/her down.
I am not a vet, but I've got two cats, so I see mine all the time.
posted by Fister Roboto at 8:23 PM on March 12, 2012 [2 favorites]
As other have said, aggressive/defensive behavior is pretty typical for an indoor cat that has had an extended outdoor adventure. Our cat got out last year and he was very squirrely for a couple of days afterward.
He had gotten into a fight while out, so we took him to the vet as soon as we could coax him into the cat carrier. The vet wasn't too worried about rabies, but definitely was concerned about him contracting feline leukemia. The vet gave him an antibiotic (in case of infection from the fight) and gave us instructions on what to look for that might indicate leukemia. Happily, the cat didn't contract anything.
posted by Thorzdad at 5:16 AM on March 13, 2012
He had gotten into a fight while out, so we took him to the vet as soon as we could coax him into the cat carrier. The vet wasn't too worried about rabies, but definitely was concerned about him contracting feline leukemia. The vet gave him an antibiotic (in case of infection from the fight) and gave us instructions on what to look for that might indicate leukemia. Happily, the cat didn't contract anything.
posted by Thorzdad at 5:16 AM on March 13, 2012
Response by poster: Thanks guys! I was really nervous about that possibility. We took her to the vet and while he didn't rule out rabies, he sent her home [with a rabies shot]. So far, there hasn't been any rabies-esque problems.
posted by oxfordcomma at 12:42 AM on March 31, 2012 [1 favorite]
posted by oxfordcomma at 12:42 AM on March 31, 2012 [1 favorite]
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by empath at 6:28 PM on March 12, 2012 [1 favorite]