I've rescued a 3 week old kitten which was dumped in a garbage can. He is completely sweet and docile… but should I get vaccinated for rabies anyway? Is there any chance that he could be a carrier, although he doesn't have any symptoms, or is this not something that happens with rabies? I would have taken him to a vet already, but am overseas. Advice, please! thanks!

Animals don't show signs of rabies right away. its like a human having a virus (flu for example). We don't show signs for weeks at times and then suddenly we feel sick. Rabies is the same way, fine one day and then slowly going down hill. You're kitten is still pretty young to be having shots, I believe a kitten has to be 6-8 weeks to get shots. just watch the behavior and then bring him to the vet asap for a check up and shots. Good luck.

First, let me say it's unlikely that a tiny kitten is infected with rabies. if he is alive, he is probably older than 3 wks. He wouldn't be able to feed himself until 6 wks or more.

There are however diseases that can be present in a kitten which are passed on from Mom at birth, and can kill the kitten and also pass to other cats. if at all possible, you need to take the kitten in for a simple blood test to check for Feline Leukemia. the vet will want to vaccinate, but not for Rabies with a kitten so young. . . that won't be done until he is 4 mo old or so.

To answer your question about Rabies. . . it is actually common for an animal to be very quiet, rather than the classic image we have of an aggressive animal. the thing is, you are looking for an animal behaving in any way that is not normal. For example, many people find a bat in broad daylight and assume it is lost or something. a bat in daylight is actually disoriented and sick. . . likely with rabies. And shouldn't be handled! Even a rabid dog, can just be quiet and out of sorts.

Ellen, above, found a link with some good description scientifically. But again, your kitten doesn't likely have rabies, is probably 6 wks or older, and does need first vaccinations (not Rabies) to insure he survives and thrives…

• jsosjsjs said,

  Cats can show signs of rabies in about 7 days after contracting it from a bite from a rabid animal. the only way to test an animal for rabies is for it to be killed and have it’s brain examined . But, cats can be kept on "rabies watch" for 10 days to see if they have rabies based on any symptoms.

  Symptoms vary as well as being different during the three stages of the rabies virus. Some animals seem to only have two stages. In brief, at first a cat may have a fever and frequently lick the site of the bite for a day or so. next, in the "furious form", the cat may be very agitated, lose all caution and fear, and be hypersensitive to noise and visual stimuli, including light. There is often aggressive and erratic behavior. the cat may then move on to seizures, then death. Some cats go on to the paralytic, "dumb", third stage, which causes increasing paralysis of the facial muscles, resulting in drooling or foaming at the mouth. Staggering and difficulty walking with the hind legs is sometimes noted. the cat may seem unusually tame along with some other signs. the animal weakens, stops breathing, then dies. This stage usually develops 2-4 days after the first signs of rabies are observed.

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• Kathleen said,

  I don’t know but have they called their vet? if there is a chance of rabies, they’ll want the bat to test it and they may want to quarantine the cat.

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• dressage artist said,

  Tell them to NOT wait for symptoms. They need to take him to a vet IMMEDIATELY. Waiting for signs can cause the cat physical and mental damage if they wait that long. it will be best for the cat, other pets in the vincity and the owners.Don’t wait for symptoms.

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• `riot said,

  It can take anywhere between 2 weeks to 2 years.if the cat was vaccinated for rabies, he should be okay. if he wasn’t vaccinated, I recommend watching the animal for any signs and getting the animal vaccinated.There is only one way to test the animal. that requires the animal’s head to be decapitated and the brain to be observed for rabies.

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also see Cat Rabies Shot

also see Feline Rabies

also see Rabies in Cats

also see Feline Rabies

also see Rabies in Cats

also see Feline Rabies

also see Rabies in Cats 

Feline rabies is a disease of the central nervous system. Cat rabies develops in three stages: prodromal, furious and paralytic.

The virus is transmitted by bites from a rabies-infected animal. Be cautious if your cat got bit by another animal-rabies will not present symptoms right away. it takes 2 to 5 weeks for the virus to spread in the cat’s body and for the symptoms to occur. Keep a watchful eye for the following 12 symptoms of feline rabies:

Poor coordination and the lack of balance are among the earliest signs of rabies. If you notice your pet banging his head into a lot of objects you need to look into the problem.

Manifested in the early stages of rabies, yowling can point to health disorders. The voice of the cat with rabies suffers changes.

Conjunctivitis is an inflammation of the eye membranes so you will notice swollen, red eyes.

The cat is producing excessive saliva due to the rabies, and will be constantly drooling.

Cats with rabies are very irritable and will reject any type of affection. This is typical to the stage two of rabies: the furious stage. Cats having rabies are vicious and will bite and scratch more than usual. they will also knock over objects they come across with.

Your cat is fighting imaginary objects or eating stones.

If your cat has elevated fever, this may be a sign of an infection or it may as well be a sign of cat rabies. In any case, it is vital to visit a vet.

Vomiting is an indicator of many cat conditions starting from parasites to pregnancy, however rabies can cause the cat to throw up.

When your cat leaves food untouched, that’s an alarming sign. This is caused by the lack of appetite, but may also be because the face muscles are partially paralyzed-and this means that the rabies is in its last stage.

This symptom goes hand in hand with the lack of appetite.

This is caused by the partial paralysis. The cat cannot breathe normally and this can lead to respiratory failure.

This is a symptom of the paralytic stage; by this time there is nothing to be done to save the cat.

Feline rabies is not a common disease, but it can be fatal. Rabies may cause different secondary diseases such as urinary infections, respiratory infections or renal insufficiency. Rabies can be prevented by proper vaccination. The sooner you act the better; identify early signs and get help from your vet.

also see Cat Rabies Vaccine: what You need To Know

also see Cat Eye Disorders Explained

also see is your Kitten Sick? Distinguishing Illness From Fatigue

also see does Predinisone for Cats Cause Diabetes?

also see Managing Kidney Disease with Feline Prescription Diet Formulas

also see five Most Common Cat Eye Problems

also see Cat Vaccines

also see Drooling , Salivation and Nausea

Mostly animals get rabies. if your dog comes home from playing outside and he's foaming at the mouth, he has rabies.

Foaming at the mouth and aggression are good signs of rabies. Raccoons, dogs, rats, squirrels, and lots of other animals. Once the animal or person starts showing signs of rabies, it is too late to be cured. if you get bit by an animal that potentially could have rabies, you should go get a rabies shot ASAP.

The carriers of rabies are bats and dogs, and humans are dead end hosts. if you feel you have been in contact with the virus, you must clean and wash the area, run to get the shot and antibodies against it. the symptoms seen on a dog is if they all of a sudden change behavior, and start becoming agressive or violent. Please go right away, there is only one known case that survived..at least in the U.S.A