How can i tell if a cat has rabies?

Question

well in my neighbor hood theres this stray cat thats awlays walking around like in my front yard or on my wall so i wanted to feed it becausde it looked realy huingry but i was scared it had rabies or another disease so i dident feed it because i dident want it to stay at my house so is there anyway to tell? i live in the city btw

Answer 1

There is not a blood test for rabies,  they have to cut off the head and examine the brain.   You could set out food and water for him,  but do not touch him.  A rabid cat will not eat or drink.  Even in cities,  animals get rabies,  rats and bats also carry it.    Not all  rabid animals foam at the mouth,  not all animals that foam at the mouth are rabid,  that is not a true sign.  Animals can foam at the mouth when they eat something that doesn't taste good (like a frog),  if they have dental disease or kidney failure to mention a few.  Call animal control to have it picked up,  starving on the streets is no life for an animal.

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Why the thumbs down people?  Everything I said is the truth.

Answer 2

if it runs around like a maniac and foams at the mouth then it has rabies. if its a normal looking cat, chances are it doesnt.

BUT FEED IT ANYWASY!! just dont let it bite you. but still feed it. its the right thing to do. good luck and god bless.<3

Answer 3

rabies will be OBVIOUS, it will sort of look like a schizo human

Answer 4

let it bite you, thats an easy way to tell

Answer 5

is foam comming out of his mouth>? http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;...

Answer 6

Be careful with strays. Cats can get rabies. You might read about rabies on http://www.webmd.com

Answer 7

take it to the vet.... duh

Answer 8

l**k it's ***

Answer 9

Smak it around. A cat with rabies won't stand for that

Answer 10

Aggression, fear, dialated eyes convulsions and death. Not pretty and quite dangerous because it can be transmitted to you.

If you suspect that a cat has any severe illness don't waste time, get it to the vet and get a blood test.

There is a 4 day rule. If the cat is so sick it stops eating, 4 days later it will be dead unless there is some serious intervention.

If it has not been outside, no way to get infected by fleas, ticks, rats or a possible bat or squirril then it is unlikely it has rabies. You cannot be 100% sure, get a cet to look at it.

Foaming in the mouth, red peircing eyes. and hissing

Answer 11

give it some food if there's foam or if its tired alot are 2 ways

Answer 12

yes, how does its coat look, if its patchy and has fur missing its sick, the eyes are a good way to tell if they are not shiney but cloudy, and teeth when it looks at you and meows are all of its teeth there, if not its sick. i have 5 cats all strays, i worked at state park and ppl that didnt want them would drop them off.

Answer 13

let him bite you and see if you die

then you'll know or maybe you won't 'cause you'll be dead but other people will know!

Answer 14

The only way to tell is if it starts acting very strange and gets really mean.  The signs don't always show at first.  If you intend on feeding it get a have a heart cage and have it go into the cage, do not handle it and bring it to the vet and have it get shots otherwise you are playing Russian Roulette with the cat, it could be fine or it could have or contract rabies being on the street.

Answer 15

I highly doubt that it has rabies. Put out some food and water. Does it act sick/ aggressive, or just scared? Most rabis animals will avoid food and water. It more than likely is feral, therefore will avoid You at best. OR call your local animal control.

Answer 16

mean, foaming of the mouth

Answer 17

leave food out for it, don't touch it, the foam in the mouth is a sign, don't bring it into your home

Answer 18

if you live in the city its HIGHLY unlikely it will have rabies. Give it food no matter what it has you jerk, if its starving you feed it!

Answer 19

Awwwwwwwwww thats so nice lmao

Seriously dont wry just give it sum foodz, it aint gonna kill you. Throw something to eat and run away LOl! Wash ur hands.

I dont think rabies spread thru air anywasys

Answer 20

look for foaming in the mouth, do not let it scratch or bite you etc; there are many stages in rabies. one is the "dumb" stage, the animal is confused and not sure of what its doing. the best thing to do would just to let it be, or have a humane society pick it up.

good luck!