Feline rabies. ABCD guidelines on prevention and management.
BACKGROUND
Rabies virus belongs to the genus Lyssavirus, together with European bat lyssaviruses 1 and 2. In clinical practice, rabies virus is easily inactivated by detergent-based disinfectants.


BACKGROUND
Rabid animals are the only source of infection. Virus is shed in the saliva some days before the onset of clinical signs and transmitted through a bite or a scratch to the skin or mucous membranes. The average incubation period in cats is 2 months, but may vary from 2 weeks to several months, or even years.


METHODS
Any unexplained aggressive behaviour or sudden behavioural change in cats must be considered suspicious. Two disease manifestations have been identified in cats: the furious and the dumb form. Death occurs after a clinical course of 1-10 days.


METHODS
A definitive rabies diagnosis is obtained by post-mortem laboratory investigation. However, serological tests are used for post-vaccinal control, especially in the context of international movements.


METHODS
Post-exposure vaccination of cats depends on the national public health regulations, and is forbidden in many countries.


CONCLUSIONS
A single rabies vaccination induces a long-lasting immunity. Kittens should be vaccinated at 12-16 weeks of age to avoid interference from maternally derived antibodies and revaccinated 1 year later. Although some vaccines protect against virulent rabies virus challenge for 3 years or more, national or local legislation may call for annual boosters.
Frymus
Tadeusz
T
European Advisory Board on Cat Diseases (ABCD). tadeusz_frymus@sggw.pl
Addie
Diane
D
Belák
Sándor
S
Boucraut-Baralon
Corine
C
Egberink
Herman
H
Gruffydd-Jones
Tim
T
Hartmann
Katrin
K
Hosie
Margaret J
MJ
Lloret
Albert
A
Lutz
Hans
H
Marsilio
Fulvio
F
Pennisi
Maria Grazia
MG
Radford
Alan D
AD
Thiry
Etienne
E
Truyen
Uwe
U
Horzinek
Marian C
MC
D000818:Animals; D001522:Behavior, Animal; D002371:Cat Diseases / Q000401:mortality / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000628:therapy; D002415:Cats; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D011818:Rabies / Q000401:mortality / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000628:therapy / Q000662:veterinary*; D011819:Rabies Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D012952:Societies; D014481:United States; D014730:Veterinary Medicine / Q000592:standards*
D011819:Rabies Vaccines