Cat Rabies Shot Reaction

[KevB]

We have a predominately indoor cat (Jones), goes in the backyard but does not leave it.  He is about 8 years old.  We have a second cat (Britney) same type of indoor situation, who is about 6 and they have been together with us for the past 5 years.  They've always been close buddies, she bathes him, they lay around together, both are "fixed".  They both got a rabies shot about two weeks ago a few days after the shot Jones turned crazy and is trying to practically kill Britney.  He's also attacking us in the house.  Very scary, he's a big boy and is going berzerk at everyone.  We've locked Britney up in another room and he calms down, but he guards that door and wants in.  When we go in and out he goes crazy again and tries to tear us up.  Its been a week now and we're living trapped in the house.  Vet prescribed Prozac yesterday but we've not been able to get him to eat it.  

We can only tie this to the rabies shot.  Ever heard of it before?  Should it go away?  This is horrible for us right now.  Its my son's cat and of course he is devastated that his buddy has gone so nuts and has attacked him as well.

[LindaTX]

Hey, wanted to let you know...I found that info on the rabies test.  Don't know if it will be of help...it's called the Antemortem Rabies PCR test (Polymerase Chain Reaction) using saliva. or CSF ( not sure what that means.  It's at zoologix.com  (Ca)  Good luck...I hope this helps!

[LindaTX]

Sorry you are going through all this with your kitty...I've never dealt with anything like this with any of my dogs or cats.  Isn't the incubation period for rabies 2 weeks? When animals are quaranteened it's usually for a 2 wk period.  I don't want to scare you but.....He needs to be checked out by a vet, there is some test that can be done to check for active rabies but can't remember what it's called off hand...not even sure they use it here in the states. I would try to find a Vet who could get saliva and blood samples from him and keep all other pets and people away from him until you can get to the bottom of this.  If he should suddenly die you should contact a competent vet immediately to see what the next step should be.

[opus88]

your Vet is not very helpful..IMO..this is a medical condition brought on by the rabies vac. NOT a behavioral issue. do not waste your money on that. Your Vet needs to do more research and find helpful ways of helping yur poor kitty...or find another Vet who knows something, are there holistic Vets you can consult with in your area?
meanwhile have you posted this question to our dr. Redford? maybe he will have some suggestions?
pretty hard to pill a cat that is going bezerk....not sure if that would help much anyway(?) I feel so bad that I can't help more. but what this guy really needs is a Vet with some knowledge abt side effects of rabies vaccines and a way of helping this poor kitty.

If medications are warranted, you can get the clinic to have the prozac made from a compound lab, where it will be than in a gel form and all you would need to do is wipe a small amount into the ear flap to absorb rather than putting a pill in his mouth, surely the Vet could at least be that helpful to explain this to you....they are so gung ho to do these vac's than just step back and hide when theres a problem afterward....keep bothering them, or find a Vet that will have some suggestions...♥

[KevB]

Vet has prescribed cat prozac but we can't get it in him.  Put it in his food and now he won't eat it.  Vet recommending a behavioralist.  

[opus88]

post this question to our Medhelp Vet Dr. Redford and also ask him what you should do...but while waiting for a reply be sure to get ahold of your clinic too..

http://www.medhelp.org/forums/Animal-Health---General/show/112?controller=forums&action=show&id=112&camp=msc

[opus88]

there is something very wrong here, kitty should have well cleared all the side effects by now, keep phoning your Vet until they find an answer for you...ask if there is an antidote...kitty has had a very serious reaction. hoping for you all♥

[KevB]

Thanks.  Very crazy situation.  I've had cats all my life and never experienced or heard of anything so insanely aggressive and crazy.  He truly wants to kill everything and everyone in the house.

[opus88]

hi so sorry to read abt your kitty, its not uncommon to have severe reactions to any vaccine....but I do know many state laws require the use of rabies vac. I do urge to never give this more than every 3 yrs...
I will send you a site with what many holistic Vets have to say abt vaccines and some of the issues surronding them. I do hope your dear kitty will slowly improve and become himself once again and soon..bloody scarey when you read.

http://www.shirleys-wellness-cafe.com/petvacc.htm