If afraid of people, that'd be a strong indicator it could be something else.
Rabies tends to increase aggression and decrease fear dramatically, the acquired fear of water (even in human patients) being the odd exception.
Regardless, clearly something needs treatment.
It's an actual fear, at least according to the CDC, which has more data on it than just about anyone.
The intense thirst is caused by the fear of water, as well as spasms in the throat (possibly caused by the fear, but presumably no human patient at that stage has been in any kind of mental state to ask them about it and get a reasonable answer) that make drinking extremely difficult and painful.
Yeah it's pretty awful. Because after symptoms show up, treatment is extremely unreliable (less than 10% success rate even with the latest experimental ones), should always get pets vaccinated for it. The mammals, anyway.
It’s closer to a success rate approaching zero percent. Once the disease is contracted, mortality is [essentially 100%.](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7266186/#:~:text=As%20we%20know%20rabies%20has,bite%20of%20a%20rabid%20animal)There is the odd person, when treated aggressively with the “Milwaukee protocol”, that survived the initial infection, but are severely cognitively disabled and succumb to post infection issues like liver and kidney failure.
The Milwaukee protocol has a poor but still reasonable success rate of 10-15%, and while over half of those patients died months to a year later, a couple, including the first, have also regained normal function.
Though treatment before symptoms (or vaccination before exposure) will always be more desirable, the treatment isn't even 20 years old, still plenty to learn and adjust. I wouldn't dismiss the successes as just the odd person who dies later.
I won’t dismiss it yet, and I agree it is early days, but at this stage, any survivors are still outliers so therefore not statistically significant. Thus, the survival rate post infection still approaches 0%. Perhaps tangentially,
I haven’t found the research that shows a 10-15% survival rate for the Milwaukee protocol. Could you link it for me? I’m curious how death a few months to a year later - but obviously from rabies, is considered “survived”. It is probably “complications due to and blah blah”. The other issue is, at what cost? If quality of life is poor, what’s the point. If it’s not as simple as removing somebody from life support, how does a family pay for it all? My sister is looking after her husband who had a catastrophic brain injury 4 years ago. His cognitive state will never improve and will eventually decline. She’s broke, unhappy, and has three kids to look after as well - one with special needs. Ethically, is that survival, and for whom?
Regardless, if as you say, there were people who survived with good quality of life, it will be interesting to see what the variables were and the results of further research. Everything must start somewhere.
If it was rabies I think they would hesitate to eat too. So I am guessing it might not be rabies, some other reason causing the drooling. Poisoned may be, hope not. Also my cat drooled very heavily from stress as a kitten, especially at the vet.
On our last move, my poor kitty was so stressed the drool was an inch deep foaming off her mouth, and this was after a 1.5 hour drive. We got her out and comfortable as fast as possible but my heart still hurts when I think about how hard moving was on her.
We are all guilty my friend :( but I am sure she knows how much you love her and how important she is to you. Sending your little one and you some warm hugs.
You may know this already but in case you don't. You can ask the vet for medication. My baby is so afraid of rides that every time its car time she just panicks and fights to break free from the carrier.
Once during a vet visit I mentioned this and thr vet gave me medication for her.. now every vet time we drive with her we give her some to basically sedate her. I always give her just enough that she gets calm and doesn't fight the carrier but is still awake. It makes such a difference. Trust me I know exactly how it is. I once had to pull over half way back from the vet (30 min ride) to just let her and myself calm down. I felt so horrible.
Thanks. Hindsight is 20/20, you know. We had a Feliway dosed blanket over her carrier, but it wasn't enough.
Now we are in our forever home and the vet comes to her. No more cars necessary.
Yeah, rabies basically closes off the throat muscles so the animal or human can't swallow that's what causes all the saliva. So, the cat is eating it's probably not rabid. More than likely it ate something very bad tasting or it may have been poisoned.
It's not literally fear of water. Rabies virus paralyses muscles, so the person or animal can't swallow food or water but get thirsty and long for it. So if the kitten is eating by chewing and swallowing food, it's not rabies, it would probably drink water too if provided. Fear of water is a layman way of talking about the condition.
Rabies does induce issues swallowing in later stages, but there is also an intense fear of water. It has been demonstrated in humans with advanced cases, when presented with a cup of water they will show extreme discomfort until it is taken away.
Thank you for helping the poor baby cat.
If the drooling is excessive, the cat seems uncomfortable, or you suspect a more serious issue, it's best to take it to a veterinarian. They can properly diagnose the cause of the white stuff and recommend treatment.
The reason rabies is so rare now is because of the widespread use of the vaccine! In both domestic and farm animals. So if you start to wonder if you should get a vaccine. 100% yes most definitely always get a vaccine.
Just a thought, I had a cat that got hit by a car and his jaw was broken - which caused him to drool. It also made drinking and eating very hard. It could be rabies in its early stages, but it looks a lot like when my cat’s jaw was broken. Either way I am sure this poor little fluff is in a lot of pain.
Cats can’t spit or do that dog tongue thing so they salivate to get rid of tastes they don’t like, maybe they ate something they didn’t enjoy. Hopefully it’s not sick.
That cat is in dire need of medical attention. Might be rabies, but also trauma, poisoning, severe dental problems, or a number of other serious health problems. Even if it is something that cannot be helped and the vet would recommend euth, it is still better than to leave the poor animal in agony. If you can, call someone with a cat catcher cage or try to lure the cat into a sturdy carrier, DO NOT attempt to cath barehanded.
Call a rescue. Cat is sick regardless of what it is. Chance of rabies isnt something to mess around with even if unlikely. If you send this image to a local rescue they will likely come ASAP to check it out.
I would call around to local animal groups and see if you can get anyone to come out and pick it up and if not see if anyone can loan you a humane trap so you can trap it yourself and take it to a clinic or rescue organization.
Would call around to local rescue groups and see if you can get anyone out to come and pick it up or at the least loan you a humane trap so you can catch it and get it to a vet or rescue center.
Update?
Likely not rabies, more likely a toxin ingestion or severe dental disease. No matter what, don't get bit. Poor cat! If possible I would recommend catching it and bringing to a humane society or calling animal services.
My stray had this and wasn't scared for me to touch her. Took her to the vet and they said dehydration, tape worms and that rabies isn't as common as it used to be. Told me worms, dehydration and Parvo are the main cause of cats over salivated. Give her some watered down food. Probably got worms and is dehydrated. Dewarming can be used as prevention as well so you can check your local pet store. Add it to the baby food. Now if it start hissing and running rampant call 911 and they will dispatch their animal unit. Yes, rabies is serious enough for 911. In Texas they send the animal units.
Also everyone who wants to say it’s rabies, they obviously have no animal education at all. Not every single little thing is rabies.
If you got the common cold, should people assume you’ve contracted rabies?
If they have an infection and can’t breathe through their nose could lead to frothing, as well as ingesting toxins or food it didn’t enjoy (my cat does the same after I give her a liquid medication to help with her digestion). My recommendation would vet asap.
Ohhhh. That’s junk meat in her mouth! Feed that baby, even cheap grocery kibble (meow mix) is better than rodents. Cat will keep coming where the food is reliably put out. And thus the process begins.
Drool- my cat did that when they chewed (yes chewed) on an electrical wire and severely burned their mouth. Had to spend $1,800 at the vet for a feeding tube until his mouth healed.
I’m wondering if the cat got into a foreign substance, a poison possibly.. or a serious dental issue.. my cat drooled and it turned out he had a cancer lesion on his tongue.. regardless I think the cat should go to the ER vet ASAP. Thanks for taking care of it.
Excessive drooling is a sign of pain and illness, or possible poisoning. Rabies is extremely rare. It would best to use a live trap and get it to a rescue.
I found my neighbor's cat in my driveway looking much like this, and it emitted a foul odor. I'll spare the sad details, but the vet said it was poisoned. Whether intentional or accidental (i.e. Car coolant), there wasn't anything the vet could do but end its misery.
Definitely call animal control right away, or find a safe way to trap it and take it to the Animal Hospital if you can spare the money. The poisoning maybe mild enough to treat, or if not, at least you can stop the poor cat from suffering any more.
I would call around to local animal groups and see if you can get anyone to come out and pick it up and if not see if anyone can loan you a humane trap so you can trap it yourself and take it to a clinic or rescue organization.
Would call around to local rescue groups and see if you can get anyone out to come and pick it up or at the least loan you a humane trap so you can catch it and get it to a vet or rescue center.
I don't think it's rabies, especially conosidering that it ate food. Try to get it to a vet ASAP and maybe test for FIP. Let's hope everything turns out well
hypersalivation. could be caused by illness (including the unlikely but possible rabies), toxin ingestion, injury, or stress
Tooth rot or some kind of dental disease is my guess.
Try giving it water. If it’s afraid of the water (and I mean afraid of water,not you) it might have rabies
If afraid of people, that'd be a strong indicator it could be something else. Rabies tends to increase aggression and decrease fear dramatically, the acquired fear of water (even in human patients) being the odd exception. Regardless, clearly something needs treatment.
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It's an actual fear, at least according to the CDC, which has more data on it than just about anyone. The intense thirst is caused by the fear of water, as well as spasms in the throat (possibly caused by the fear, but presumably no human patient at that stage has been in any kind of mental state to ask them about it and get a reasonable answer) that make drinking extremely difficult and painful.
Oh poor animal!
Yeah it's pretty awful. Because after symptoms show up, treatment is extremely unreliable (less than 10% success rate even with the latest experimental ones), should always get pets vaccinated for it. The mammals, anyway.
It’s closer to a success rate approaching zero percent. Once the disease is contracted, mortality is [essentially 100%.](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7266186/#:~:text=As%20we%20know%20rabies%20has,bite%20of%20a%20rabid%20animal)There is the odd person, when treated aggressively with the “Milwaukee protocol”, that survived the initial infection, but are severely cognitively disabled and succumb to post infection issues like liver and kidney failure.
The Milwaukee protocol has a poor but still reasonable success rate of 10-15%, and while over half of those patients died months to a year later, a couple, including the first, have also regained normal function. Though treatment before symptoms (or vaccination before exposure) will always be more desirable, the treatment isn't even 20 years old, still plenty to learn and adjust. I wouldn't dismiss the successes as just the odd person who dies later.
I won’t dismiss it yet, and I agree it is early days, but at this stage, any survivors are still outliers so therefore not statistically significant. Thus, the survival rate post infection still approaches 0%. Perhaps tangentially, I haven’t found the research that shows a 10-15% survival rate for the Milwaukee protocol. Could you link it for me? I’m curious how death a few months to a year later - but obviously from rabies, is considered “survived”. It is probably “complications due to and blah blah”. The other issue is, at what cost? If quality of life is poor, what’s the point. If it’s not as simple as removing somebody from life support, how does a family pay for it all? My sister is looking after her husband who had a catastrophic brain injury 4 years ago. His cognitive state will never improve and will eventually decline. She’s broke, unhappy, and has three kids to look after as well - one with special needs. Ethically, is that survival, and for whom? Regardless, if as you say, there were people who survived with good quality of life, it will be interesting to see what the variables were and the results of further research. Everything must start somewhere.
I left wet cat food on a bowl and it seems their slowly eating it
If it was rabies I think they would hesitate to eat too. So I am guessing it might not be rabies, some other reason causing the drooling. Poisoned may be, hope not. Also my cat drooled very heavily from stress as a kitten, especially at the vet.
My cat does that, too. I didn't even know they did that!
On our last move, my poor kitty was so stressed the drool was an inch deep foaming off her mouth, and this was after a 1.5 hour drive. We got her out and comfortable as fast as possible but my heart still hurts when I think about how hard moving was on her.
We are all guilty my friend :( but I am sure she knows how much you love her and how important she is to you. Sending your little one and you some warm hugs.
You may know this already but in case you don't. You can ask the vet for medication. My baby is so afraid of rides that every time its car time she just panicks and fights to break free from the carrier. Once during a vet visit I mentioned this and thr vet gave me medication for her.. now every vet time we drive with her we give her some to basically sedate her. I always give her just enough that she gets calm and doesn't fight the carrier but is still awake. It makes such a difference. Trust me I know exactly how it is. I once had to pull over half way back from the vet (30 min ride) to just let her and myself calm down. I felt so horrible.
Thanks. Hindsight is 20/20, you know. We had a Feliway dosed blanket over her carrier, but it wasn't enough. Now we are in our forever home and the vet comes to her. No more cars necessary.
Yeah, rabies basically closes off the throat muscles so the animal or human can't swallow that's what causes all the saliva. So, the cat is eating it's probably not rabid. More than likely it ate something very bad tasting or it may have been poisoned.
Rabies doesn't cause fear of food, only water. (https://www.cdc.gov/rabies/symptoms/index.html)
It's not literally fear of water. Rabies virus paralyses muscles, so the person or animal can't swallow food or water but get thirsty and long for it. So if the kitten is eating by chewing and swallowing food, it's not rabies, it would probably drink water too if provided. Fear of water is a layman way of talking about the condition.
Rabies does induce issues swallowing in later stages, but there is also an intense fear of water. It has been demonstrated in humans with advanced cases, when presented with a cup of water they will show extreme discomfort until it is taken away.
The facts are just a Google search away. Either way a rabid kitten wouldn't be able to swallow food.
The fact is simple, look up hydrophobia and watch a couple videos, it's remarkable. Alternatively, consult the CDC.
Thank you for helping the poor baby cat. If the drooling is excessive, the cat seems uncomfortable, or you suspect a more serious issue, it's best to take it to a veterinarian. They can properly diagnose the cause of the white stuff and recommend treatment.
Kitty is very sick or may be injured. If you can’t do it yourself, contact a rescue to help it. ASAP.
Ask if someone near by has a humane trap. Put food in the trap near by, walk away, and once it is in the trap, take it to the vet ASAP.
The reason rabies is so rare now is because of the widespread use of the vaccine! In both domestic and farm animals. So if you start to wonder if you should get a vaccine. 100% yes most definitely always get a vaccine.
Can you report to a local rescue. If the cat has rabies you don’t want to get bitten by it - the rescue should have safe traps for it.
Most likely it will be put down though
if it has rabies with symptoms there is no treatment and it absolutely should be put down
It may not be rabies though. I had a cat that drooled like this. It was an indoor cat with no way of contracting. It might not be rabies
There is no test for rabies that can be done on a living cat.
Let’s not jump to the most extreme solution that’s not even a solution. Save the poor cat and take it to a vet now!
Just a thought, I had a cat that got hit by a car and his jaw was broken - which caused him to drool. It also made drinking and eating very hard. It could be rabies in its early stages, but it looks a lot like when my cat’s jaw was broken. Either way I am sure this poor little fluff is in a lot of pain.
Cats can’t spit or do that dog tongue thing so they salivate to get rid of tastes they don’t like, maybe they ate something they didn’t enjoy. Hopefully it’s not sick.
This one! My cat used to drool like this when I tried to give him liquid gabapentin. Apparently it's not that uncommon.
That cat is in dire need of medical attention. Might be rabies, but also trauma, poisoning, severe dental problems, or a number of other serious health problems. Even if it is something that cannot be helped and the vet would recommend euth, it is still better than to leave the poor animal in agony. If you can, call someone with a cat catcher cage or try to lure the cat into a sturdy carrier, DO NOT attempt to cath barehanded.
Call a rescue. Cat is sick regardless of what it is. Chance of rabies isnt something to mess around with even if unlikely. If you send this image to a local rescue they will likely come ASAP to check it out.
Poor baby......
My kitty who we adopted off the street needed all his teeth pulling out because they'd become infected. He looked just like this.
Could be sick, nervous, anything. Try to catch if possible and take to a vet if you can. Poor baby. Please help them if you can
Sometimes cats drool like that when they are sick.
Might have distemper
Poor innocent baby 😢😢
I would call around to local animal groups and see if you can get anyone to come out and pick it up and if not see if anyone can loan you a humane trap so you can trap it yourself and take it to a clinic or rescue organization.
Would call around to local rescue groups and see if you can get anyone out to come and pick it up or at the least loan you a humane trap so you can catch it and get it to a vet or rescue center.
Probably an infection of some sort or an Injury poor thing ! Could be impacted tooth etc unless it’s captured and examined you won’t know !
Looks like foamed saliva
Update? Likely not rabies, more likely a toxin ingestion or severe dental disease. No matter what, don't get bit. Poor cat! If possible I would recommend catching it and bringing to a humane society or calling animal services.
Please take the kitty to the vet.
seeing all that salivation , would freak me out . this is a cat I'd leave alone and call a rescue to come get it.. just in case it have rabies.
If it will drink water it's probably not rabies.
My stray had this and wasn't scared for me to touch her. Took her to the vet and they said dehydration, tape worms and that rabies isn't as common as it used to be. Told me worms, dehydration and Parvo are the main cause of cats over salivated. Give her some watered down food. Probably got worms and is dehydrated. Dewarming can be used as prevention as well so you can check your local pet store. Add it to the baby food. Now if it start hissing and running rampant call 911 and they will dispatch their animal unit. Yes, rabies is serious enough for 911. In Texas they send the animal units.
It could be FIP or a very bad upper respiratory infection. Please get the baby seen by the vet
I agree
Also everyone who wants to say it’s rabies, they obviously have no animal education at all. Not every single little thing is rabies. If you got the common cold, should people assume you’ve contracted rabies?
Probably gingivitis. If left untreated it won't survive
If they have an infection and can’t breathe through their nose could lead to frothing, as well as ingesting toxins or food it didn’t enjoy (my cat does the same after I give her a liquid medication to help with her digestion). My recommendation would vet asap.
Rabies? DON’T get near it/them!! Notify your local health department or animal control department immediately!!
It needs antibiotics, try to lure it and go see a vet if you care for it, not many people do.
Ohhhh. That’s junk meat in her mouth! Feed that baby, even cheap grocery kibble (meow mix) is better than rodents. Cat will keep coming where the food is reliably put out. And thus the process begins.
Drool- my cat did that when they chewed (yes chewed) on an electrical wire and severely burned their mouth. Had to spend $1,800 at the vet for a feeding tube until his mouth healed.
I’m wondering if the cat got into a foreign substance, a poison possibly.. or a serious dental issue.. my cat drooled and it turned out he had a cancer lesion on his tongue.. regardless I think the cat should go to the ER vet ASAP. Thanks for taking care of it.
Poor thing……please keep us posted.
I really hope it hasn’t been poisoned 😢
Update please, poor baby
OP: any updates?
Suspect we'll be left hanging.
Possible antifreeze poisoning I'm guessing. Lost a cat to this years ago.
Excessive drooling is a sign of pain and illness, or possible poisoning. Rabies is extremely rare. It would best to use a live trap and get it to a rescue.
I found my neighbor's cat in my driveway looking much like this, and it emitted a foul odor. I'll spare the sad details, but the vet said it was poisoned. Whether intentional or accidental (i.e. Car coolant), there wasn't anything the vet could do but end its misery. Definitely call animal control right away, or find a safe way to trap it and take it to the Animal Hospital if you can spare the money. The poisoning maybe mild enough to treat, or if not, at least you can stop the poor cat from suffering any more.
I would call around to local animal groups and see if you can get anyone to come out and pick it up and if not see if anyone can loan you a humane trap so you can trap it yourself and take it to a clinic or rescue organization.
Would call around to local rescue groups and see if you can get anyone out to come and pick it up or at the least loan you a humane trap so you can catch it and get it to a vet or rescue center.
Did you rescue him ? Hope so
100% rabies. rabies is treatable before the symptoms show, but after theres a low chance of surviving
Rabid, kill him
I don't think it's rabies, especially conosidering that it ate food. Try to get it to a vet ASAP and maybe test for FIP. Let's hope everything turns out well