This isn’t so much a question of what should I do as it is a what would you do…
As I mentioned, Blueboy got out on Sunday. By the time I caught hold of his furry butt Monday night and brought him in, he had been out for about twenty-four hours. I don’t know where he was, but I’m assuming close by, as my next door neighbor told me he had seen him, and Blueboy came running quick enough when I called him and banged a spoon against a can of Fancy Feast.
Very early this morning I was woken by the sound of the sounds of ferocious cats. As I became more “with it”, I realized that it was Blueboy, growling and hissing and snorting in a manner I had never heard him before. He was going after Kirin, who, naturally, was hissing back, but of his own accord was not agitating Blueboy. This has been going on all day. To be perfectly honest with you, I’m very alarmed at Blueboy’s sudden VERY aggressive and fierce disposition. He has never, ever been like this. Usually he is very laid back, friendly but also somewhat aloof, preferring to perch somewhere looking pretty, and not going so beneath his regal self by interacting with other cats.
I googled Blueboy’s sudden aggressiveness and was swamped with results pointing to the symptoms of rabies. After doing a lot of reading, and realizing that Blueboy’s rabies shot is about a month past due (you can’t imagine how much I am beating myself up over that; if Blueboy does NOT have rabies you better believe I am getting him that vaccine ASAP!) I decided to call not one but two vets to ask their opinion. They both said the same thing: if the cat has been at risk of contracting rabies and is acting aggressive or vicious, there’s a good chance that the cat has rabies. And since rabies IS fatal, and if passed to humans and not caught in time fatal to them as well, the cat should be brought in immediately and put down. I kept it together until the vet said that the only way to test for rabies is after the cat is deceased. Then I lost it. I bawled my eyes out. I was embarrassed, but I’m sure the vet of all people would understand how important a pet cat can be.
Anyway. I’m not sure what to do. While Blueboy has been VERY aggressive towards Kirin for the past eighteen hours or so, he has not exhibited any signs of aggression or any other oddities towards any of us. The kitten isn’t a concern, as he is in my bedroom and kept away from the other cats until he becomes more acclimated to Dan and I, as well as the noises and sounds of our household. Also, aside from two tiny marks on his throat which could be a result of him scratching himself rather vigorously, something he has done in the past and in the exact same location, he has no injuries. I know that because I looked him over from head to toe when he came back on Monday night. But I also read that a rabid animal hissing or spitting at him would be enough to transmit the disease…
I must have read through a dozen or more different websites containing information on rabies, and I was not able to find a consistent answer on the incubation period of rabies before it starts to show in the form of aggressiveness/viciousness. Some sites said a few days, other said a few days to a week, others said a few weeks, and still others said a few months. WHICH IS IT?! If it’s a few days, then Blueboy would be right on the mark, as he was exposed between Saturday night and Sunday night, and now we’re into Thursday…
So, my question: what would you do? We are going to take the second vet’s advice and quarantine both him and Kirin (since Blueboy was hissing and growling at him, and during their squabbles may have bitten him) for the next two weeks (one in the second bathroom, the other at my mom’s in her second bathroom) and watch them both closely. If either show any definite signs of rabies, we’ll take them both in to be put down immediately, since there is no cure for rabies and no point in letting either suffer needlessly.
Poor Dan. After reading all that I did and speaking to the vets, I called him up, a hysterical, blubbering mess. He even left work two hours early to come home and comfort me. 
Anyway. Other than worrying myself silly about Blueboy and Kirin, and the possibility of losing them both, not much is happening. Dan wants to name the kitten cloud. I really like the name Theo, but since that is my ex’s name (believe me when I say that I have liked that name long before I met Theo!), Dan isn’t too keen on that. His comment was, “If you call that cat Theo, I’ll have no choice but to call him asshole”. :eyeroll:
And you know what time I went to bed at last night? 10:00pm. Holy record breaker!
Oh thats awful. I’d be beside myself. I’m so sorry Jenn. Is there anything else to look for besides agressiveness?
Honestly, if it were me I would quarantine them both and wait.
I would feel horrible if I had my kitty put down to find it wasn’t rabies. I hope it isn’t for everyone’s sake. Maybe being outside like that caused a natural feral tendency to come to the surface? I don’t know it’s just a thought. 
I probably would have reacted the same was as you, so don’t feel silly. I sincerely hope all will be okay with both kitties.
I’m not sure if this works with cats, but with dogs – if you give them water and they start acting out severely, you can almost assure they have rabies. It is something about water that can trigger them to go mad.
When I lived in Texas, if an animal became suddenly aggressive like that, they were simply quarantined and watched over, usually at a vet’s office, to watch for other symptoms of rabies before being put down. However, protocols for that sort of thing can vary from state to state. I’m sorry to hear about this, it’s always horrible to think that your pet might have been exposed to rabies and that you may have to have them put down.
Truthfully, I would quarantine him immediately and if he shows any other signs, take him to the vet. The last thing you want to happen is for him to pass it on to one of the kids or the other cats.
I just checked online and regardless of who is infected, water will cause spasms so I would try it and see. It would at least let you know if it might be rabies.
Even though you are worried about the other cat you really need to worry about the kids If you think this is a possibility you need to do what they say for animals who are or my be affected. GL!
If I was in your situation I would do what you have done and quarantined them both. That way you don’t have to put them down if you’re not sure and they are kept away from your family.
Also love Dan’s comment about having to call him asshole! LOL!
After reading your post, and then doing a little research on rabies myself, I would say that Blueboy probably does not have rabies. You said in a previous post that Blueboy was declawed. In my opinion, since he has nothing really to protect himself, it would most likely be really obvious that he was attacked by a rabid animal. And if a rabid animal did happen to try to attack him, Blueboy would have ran from it (no way to protect himself, and lack of instinct due to domestication). If he was running from this rabid animal, then he would probably have a mark near his tail. He wouldn’t have a mark on his throat. And since he would have been running from it, there would be no way for hissing and spitting to be the cause for contracting the disease.
(which they will be, of course!) Stay positive.
When I researched, like you, I also found different incubation periods. One website even said a few days to even a few years! I don’t know if you found this, but one website said, “During the rabies incubation period, a bite by the infected animal does not carry a risk of rabies because the virus is not yet in the saliva.” (http://rabies.emedtv.com/rabies/rabies-incubation-period.html). At least with that information, you know your children are okay if he happened to bite one of them before he started showing possible symptoms.
I think what you are doing- isolating both of the kitties- is probably what I would do.
Good luck! Your kitties will be in my thoughts until I know that they’re okay!
-Jessica
As much as I hate to say it, I would be way more concerned for my children than the cat and would try quarantine the cats in question, as you have, and if it came to it… putting them down.
Well I happened to be on the phone with a friend when I read this entry and she has worked at a vet’s office for years.. how old is he? She said if you’ve kept his rabies up to date every year during his life, there’s a pretty small chance that he could have rabies. I would definitely do the quarantine thing.. and don’t let him near the kiddos or anything.. good luck though and keep us updated.. poor BlueBoy.. perhaps he had a confrontation while he was out and is now feeling more aggressive and territorial? I dunno.. guess we can just hope for the best. <3
I wish you the best of luck with your cats, Jenn. I don’t know what I would do if I were ever in this situation, but for now, it seems like you’re taking pretty good control over the situation.. I’ll be thinking about you and the kitties!
I realize I didn’t really mention Dan or the kids or even myself… yes, I am definitely worried about all of us, especially the kids, and much more so than the cat! I was upset when I wrote the entry, which is probably why I skipped over the most important people: Alyssa, Ryan, Dan and myself.
Blue has been ignoring us humans, so I know he hasn’t bitten Alyssa or Ryan. Plus, Alyssa would tell me, and as often as I’m playing with the kids, changing Ryan’s diaper, and bathing both of them, I would definitely notice any marks! I looked them both over thoroughly tonight, and not a mark on either one of them.
Kirin is in a large crate for the night, and will be going to my mother’s tomorrow morning. Blueboy is in our smaller bathroom, with food, water, toys, litter, towel and a night light. We locked the door from the inside, so there’s no way the door could be accidentally opened. To get in we’ll have to use a crochet hook.
Jenn – Blueboy will be eight years old in March. Except for this year, he has always been up to date, as my grandmother always took him to the vet, and when I got him in the late summer of 2004 I made sure to take him to the vet that year, and every year after.
Everyone – thank you all for your comments, prayers and support. I really appreciate it.
I would quarantine them and watch. I highly doubt honestly that its rabies though. You just got a new kitten and it’s probably put him on edge. When I brought a new kitten home, it took a couple days, but the cat I already had became very angry and agitated towards the kitten.
Jenn. I sent an email to you at x@jenn.nu from weesprite@gmail.com. Please read it as soon as you can. It’s in regards to a site you sold me and me trying to renew it before the grace period is up. Thanks.
DO NOT PUT THE CAT DOWN. are you kidding me? did these vets not tell you the symptoms? when a cat has rabies it’s not just aggressive toward other cats and a little pissy. it foams at the mouth, spasms when drinking water, freaks out, is constantly hissing/meowing/moaning… not to mention – it usually takes days for rabies to even DEVELOP. i can’t believe these vets have left out vital information. the cat will be sensitive to touch & sound, and lethargic sometimes.
let’s put it this way… if the cat had rabies, you’d know probably about 95% sure that it had them.
your family IS very important but there’s no need for a useless death. quarantine as others said. the cat is probably extremely stressed.
ps) i didn’t mean to seem like i was freaking out on you. and i mean i suppose there *is* a chance the cat has rabies… but honestly… it seems like it would be such a rare chance and that it’s not even properly exhibiting symptoms.
Rabies is awful. Hopefully neither cat has it.
hey jenn, I wouldnt put the cat down keep him isolated and watch him. From what youve said it is like what my cat has been doing since she became indoor out door ever since when she comes inside she howls and moans and meows like a deep throaty growl and is more aggressive and hissing at the other cats. Blueboy will probably be fine our vet told us it was something about the different scents of being outside then coming in that can change a cats attitude and maybe blueboy is just secretly aggressive. I will be thinking about him and you and hoping everything goes well.
I would quarantine as you are doing.
Keeping you all in my thoughts. I am sure they will be ok!
Jenn I’m with everyone else. I have a hard time thinking the cat has rabies. I’ve always been on the assumption that it’s very obvious, not just a hiss towards another cat. The quarantine is a good idea. Just for your own peace of mind call the vet, or another vet entirely, or even the ASPCA and tell them what you are doing and ask them what they think if it’s a good move or not. If they say don’t chance it at all what so ever then you have a big decision to make.
Lastly, I like the name Cloud. Oh and I have to say this. I didn’t research it or anything and I know how important your whole family is to you, BUT since you are in control of the situation isn’t infection pretty slim? I’m admitting I’m dumb on this issue. I’ve never in 31 years of life even known of a rabid animal being put down. I think that’s why I am really hesitant to believe that’s the problem.
Oh and before someone calls me out on my self proclaiming dumbness, check your spelling asshat.
I highly doubt your cat has rabies. I can’t believe that missing a rabies shot by one month would cause him to get rabies.
If anything your cat is stressed out. Especially since he’s never been outside and stayed out overnight. On top of that, there’s a new cat in the house. He’s probably freaking out. I’ve read online that cats do not like change. Anything out of the normal daily routine can cause behavioral changes. But I agree that it would be a good idea to put him in the bathroom for a few days to let him calm down.
When we brought Hans home, KC was PISSED. OFF. She stayed that way for a good two or so weeks. And it wasn’t just towards him, she was mad at us too and would only let us pet her on HER terms. She is such a diva! :hmm:
I have seen a rabid cat before and what kalen said is true. They moan and moan and moan and never stop. It’s a horrible sound. And they stop using the litter box, won’t let you touch them, randomly have little seizures. It really doesn’t sound like rabies to me. It sounds like maybe he just got a little taste of freedom, a new house mate and is a bit irritated because of all of it.
You are doing the right thing by seperating them for now but I bet he calms down soon.
I think you’re handling the situation just as you should. I don’t know much about rabies, does it start off slight and get worse? Or once contracted is it full on foaming at the mouth psycho? I’m not sure, however, I do know that plenty of vets are “put down” happy. My best friend had a Great Dane who started to act sick one day, so they took her to the vet. The vet tried to say that her stomach had flipped upside down and that she needed to be put down. The vet was way wrong – that dog lived for ages.
I would keep an eye on Blueboy, but it sounds like he may just be a little stressed/grumpy after his galavant out in the wild. I’m sure everything will be just fine.
I suggest you actually take your cat to the vet to have him tested. It would be much safer than guessing.
It could be something as simple as him having gotten frightened while he was out. But I wouldnt risk it.
Definitely take him to the vet tho to get him tested.
I would say..before you even entertain the idea of putting the cat down…take it in and get him tested for rabies. Doesnt that seem logical as opposed to just assuming he has it and getting him put to sleep?
Regarding Michelles comment…
Rabies IS hydrophobia. However, the hydrophobic stage is not one of the primary stages of rabies, its more of a secondary stage..right before death.
Rabies causes EVERY creature it infects to be “afraid” of water. It will work with cats too.
Lol im being a comment box terrorist.
I seem to have missed the part where you said he missed his one month shot …L M F A O.
My mom has a cat who had ONE rabies shot, when he was a baby and was an outdoor/indoor and hung around raccoons, opossums and foxes down by the river. Hes fine. Hes 10 years old now. No rabies in sight. He is indoors now, though.
The problem with rabies is that to my knowledge, from what the vets told me and also from what I have read, there is no accurate test that can test for rabies on a live animal. The animal must be deceased, at which point the brain matter is tested.
Anyway, they are both quarantined, and will continue to be for the next ten days.
What happened to your cat sounds similar to what happened with my boyfriend’s cat. The family cat, which is a house cat ended up getting out and was gone probably for a few hours before eventually finding his way back home.
When he got back in, he started to hiss at the other cat and both of them pretty got into it…but we noticed that the other cat was sniffing the one that got out and didn’t recognize the scent. Both are house cats and rarely went outside and it was pretty much the new scent that threw both of them off because cats by nature do not like change. So it seems like it could also be because of the environment change – but it’s good to keep both of them quarantined.
I would keep doing what your already doing. Keep both cats quarantined. Just a thought, could blueboy be acting out because of the new kitten? Hopefully he is ok and does not have rabies. I would think that since you have probably been getting him is rabies shot for years that its highly unlikely. *keeping my fingers crossed for you*
I *highly* doubt it’s rabies. I have had a few indoor cats and each and every time they were able to escape out of the house for a taste of the free outdoors, they would then turn in to fiesty little shit heads for a week or so after.
He’s probably pissed he can’t go outside.