title: Feline rabies. ABCD guidelines on prevention and management.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: European Advisory Board on Cat Diseases (ABCD). tadeusz_frymus@sggw.pl
authors.forename: Tadeusz
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Frymus
authors.forename: Diane
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Addie
authors.forename: Sándor
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Belák
authors.forename: Corine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Boucraut-Baralon
authors.forename: Herman
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Egberink
authors.forename: Tim
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Gruffydd-Jones
authors.forename: Katrin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hartmann
authors.forename: Margaret J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Hosie
authors.forename: Albert
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lloret
authors.forename: Hans
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Lutz
authors.forename: Fulvio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Marsilio
authors.forename: Maria Grazia
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Pennisi
authors.forename: Alan D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Radford
authors.forename: Etienne
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Thiry
authors.forename: Uwe
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Truyen
authors.forename: Marian C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Horzinek
mesh_terms: 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*
chemical_list: D011819:Rabies Vaccines