Page 607 - Problem-Based Feline Medicine

27 – THE CAT WITH SALIVATION 599

Clinical signs Viral replication occurs in myocytes and spreads to
neuromuscular junctions and neurotendinal spindles.
Used as insecticidal sprays or shampoos.
Virus spreads to CNS via intra-axonal fluid within
Immediate sign of toxicosis is hypersalivation which
peripheral nerves, then to peripheral sensory and motor
lasts 15 minutes to 1 hour.
neurons.
More severely affected cats develop muscular tremors
Salivary glands contain large amounts of virus
and ataxia. Hypothermia occurs.
which is shed in saliva.
Clinical signs generally abate within 4 hours.
Infection through contact with infected reservoir ani-
mals (bats, skunks, raccoons and foxes) or infected
Treatment dogs and cats.
Wash cat in unmedicated shampoo.
Clinical signs
Maintain body temperature.
Initial clinical signs are present for only 24 hours and
include low-grade fever and behavioral changes (e.g.
DIBUTYL PHTHALATE irritability, hiding or increased affection).

The excitatory stage (“furious rabies”) may last 2–4
Classical Signs
days and is not always exhibited.
● Profuse salivation and foaming.
Signs include muscle fasciculations, ptyalism, weak-
● Occasional retching and/or vomiting.
ness, ataxia and increased aggressiveness and irri-
tability.
Clinical Signs The final stage (“dumb” rabies) lasts 1–4 days and
general paralysis and convulsions precede death.
Used luminescent agent in “Glo-Jewellary” and as
insect repellent Diagnosis
Has extremely bitter taste and causes immediate hyper-
History of no vaccination with approved killed vaccine.
salivation when cat bites into toy.
History of exposure to bite or scratch wounds from
Signs of hypersalivation generally self limiting once
infected dogs or cats.
taste removed from mouth.
History of exposure to reservoir animals including
foxes, skunks, raccoons and bats.
RABIES
Typical clinical signs with progression almost invari-
Classical signs ably to death within 7–10 days.

● CNS signs, behavioral changes. EXTREME ZOONOTIC POTENTIAL.
● Ptyalism, frothing.
Immediately notify authorities when rabies is sus-
● Fever.
pected. Follow official policy for handling suspected
rabies cases, including tissue or fluid samples.
Pathogenesis Minimal changes in CSF analysis and routine blood
analysis.
Single-stranded RNA Lyssavirus.
Histological confirmation with finding Negri bodies
Virus inoculation via bite wound from rabid animal or
within the CNS on post-mortem.
via mucous membrane contact with infected body flu-
ids, e.g. saliva. Immunofluorescent antibody test on CNS tissue.