What are the clinical signs of feline rabies?
Following a bite or scratch from a rabid animal, the disease progresses in stages. In the first or prodromal stage, there is a marked change in temperament, quiet cats become agitated and can be aggressive and active extroverts may become nervous or shy. This phase is then followed by so-called furious rabies that is by far the most common type in the feline. During this phase, excitement predominates and it is at this stage that the feline is most dangerous, both to other animals and to the owner. The cat becomes increasingly nervous, irritable and very vicious. Muscle spasms will often prevent swallowing and there is excessive drooling of saliva. The third stage is the paralytic stage, which usually occurs after about 7 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. Is it possible to survive a bite from a rabid animal? In some cases there is no rabies virus, or very little, in
