OF, cat with rabies?

Ford Zoo · #1 12/07/12, 12:38 PM

I know this is the wrong forum, but I'm having a cat issue and posted on the pet forum, not sure how busy they are there, so if any of my goat friends are interested in helping with my suddenly aggressive barn cat issue, I'd appreciate it.

Michelle

http://www.homesteadingtoday.com/liv...at-rabies.html

sherekin1261 · #2 12/07/12, 01:16 PM

I replied Michelle but I think it showed up on the pet forum. hope it helps!
Shere

Minelson · #3 12/07/12, 01:52 PM

how the heck! my post got posted on the wrong thread!! weird.

Since I'm here... I would not mess with possible rabies. You die from rabies. I would trap that cat and get it to the vet. If I couldn't trap it I would call animal control. You don't want to mess with this. Keep everyone safe until you are sure it's not rabies Is your dog up to date on his rabies vaccine?

Ford Zoo · #4 12/07/12, 02:05 PM

Thanks for the response Shere, I replied on the other forum.

Michele, yes, thank goodness "Mi" is up to date! Poor boy could swollow that cat in one gulp, he only yelped and tried again to get away. Hate to put him through that, but I'm thankful he was there to take it. I have had to give rabies vaccine and the worser antitoxin/IG, whatever it is...to humans after animal bites. Not a pleasant thing.

thaiblue12 · #5 12/07/12, 02:29 PM

Is he neutered?

I doubt since he has had rabies shots that it is rabies, he might be injured or have something else going on.
My mom's cat took a bite from some feral cat that showed up, developed a bad absess and was so mean it was ridiculous, the vet had to wear raptor gloves to handle her. After they drained it and she was treated she went to to her normal self.

I hope he is ok.

Otter · #6 12/07/12, 03:23 PM

Abscess or some other hurt will make him act that way. Sometimes toms get an infection in their lymph nodes too. That can make them really moody, and unless you're petting him, you won't notice until he cheeks swell up hugely.

If he's ever had a rabies vac in his life - studies I've read show that immunity levels are still high 7 years later. But since he's a hunter, the very first thing I'd think is abscess, and from experience, a barn cat will have a HUGE abscess before it's obvious without stroking them and the second thing I'd think was a broken tooth. You've got to get him caught and check him out.

BethW · #7 12/07/12, 05:24 PM

It's very likely not rabies. But the problem with rabies is that if by chance you're wrong, you're in serious trouble.

I had an unusual, unidentified bite this summer and ended up getting the rabies series. It was probably excessively cautious, but who wants to be wrong?

beccachow · #8 12/07/12, 06:16 PM

I would also be wondering about a brain tumor

. You definitely need to try to catch him and get him into the vet.

BoerMomma · #9 12/07/12, 07:59 PM

SOME cat's can have a terrible attitude as they get older, due to inbreeding from what I was told, my mother unfortunately has one of these cats. He will rub on you, then lunge whenever he feels like it.

Chances are it's not rabies. It's proven that vaccines last for atleast 3 years, if not for the lifetime of the animal. Vets push vaccines now adays....mine dogs get rabies every 3 years now that I have learned and thank god I found a vet who thinks the way I do! But this only happens because its required by law.

If you are worried about rabies, catch and crate the cat for a "quarantine" period of 10 days, if it has rabies it will more then likely be dead before 10 days is up...

He could have also been "guarding" his kill. The scent was probably still there, his reaction was his way of saying "this is mine get away from it"....but reguardless, catch him and take him to the vet for an xray to check for tumors or anything

Bearfootfarm · #10 12/07/12, 08:39 PM

If I thought a cat had rabies, the LAST thing I'd do is try to handle it at all.
If you don't have a live trap, just KILL IT

chma4 · #11 12/08/12, 03:00 PM

I second the notion that this sounds ALOT like a pain response. Use extreme caution, but if he is worth it to you, have him sedated by a vet and examined. I bet it is an injury most likely oral, or a painful/hormone affecting tumor. If he hadn't had his rabies in 7 years, I might be suspicious, but if he is only 3 or 4 years out, I think rabies is highly unlikely to be the issue.

Ford Zoo · #12 12/08/12, 09:42 PM

You all have made me feel so much better about this!! Thank you! I've had cats my entire life and have never seen this, so I'm glad I asked. He eluded the live trap in the barn last night, but came up to the porch early this morning for breakfast after I was done with chores. He acted fine and even greeted the dogs, but I didn't try to bother with him, just enough to feed him as I had to get to work. We'll see what tomorrow brings. In the meantime, the kids have been warned to keep the babies away from him when they come over.

Ford Zoo · #13 12/08/12, 09:48 PM

And Bearfootfarm, we will be very carefull, believe me-I was so scared yesterday my DH was ready to do just that. But since he is showing no other signs, we are being cautious and trying to catch him. He serves his purpose well, so hopefully it is simply another issue. Now, if we can just catch him...

Ford Zoo · #14 12/22/12, 08:03 PM

Long over due update here- I surely over reacted, but had never seen a cat suddenly act like this. In hind site, he certainly had every opportunity to attack me that day in the barn, but kept going after Milo. I'm thinking he was just po'd over his critter being gone.

We did catch him and take him to the vet. I was very nervous due to his recent behavior, and of course he was not happy with strange people handling him. But he's healthy as a horse and I have since rekindeled my relationship with him, trusting him and enjoying the purring snuggles again.

Thanks everyone!

dkhern · #15 12/22/12, 09:18 PM

glad things worked out was going to suggest quarantine until you were sure