Rabies is a disease that, although it is extinct in many countries of the world, including Spain, continues to be a threat to combat since if it is not treated it will kill the affected person, be it a person or a four-legged animal.
In addition, it must be taken into account that it is very contagious and that it can pass from one species to another quite easily through, for example, a bite. So, it is important to know when to vaccinate cats against rabies, and their possible side effects to keep them protected.
What is rabies?
Anger is an acute and fatal viral disease that damages the central nervous system. Although it is much more common in dogs than in cats, felines are also vulnerable to its contagion, just like humans. A scratch or a bite is enough for the virus to enter the animal's body and infect it.
What are the symptoms in cats?
The most frequent symptoms in cats are:
- Fever
- Swelling or redness of the affected area
- Pain
- Hyperactivity or, conversely, lethargy
- Loss of weight and appetite
- Irritability
- Seizures
- Aversion to water
Once we suspect that they may have it, we must urgently take them to the vet.
When should they be vaccinated?
The best cure is prevention, so although it will not protect them 100% (yes 98 or 99%) the vaccine is mandatory to get them at four months of age and again every year but only if they are animals that go abroad and / or that are going to travel. And it is that house cats, who never leave their house, do not need it.
The price of the vaccine is about 30 euros.
Do you have side effects?
Normally they do not manifest themselves, but like all medicines it does have side effects. These can be mild or severe:
- Mild: small swelling, redness, sneezing and a little lethargy. They disappear in 24 to 48 hours after vaccination.
- Graves: trouble breathing, loss of appetite, vomiting, seizures, extreme lethargy. It occurs in cats allergic to the vaccine, and you have to take them to the vet as soon as possible because their life depends on it.
I hope it has been useful to you 🙂.