OAKLAND COUNTY, Mich. – A kitten that was found as a stray in Oakland County was euthanized after developing symptoms of rabies.
The kitten was found as a stray on June 14 in Oakland County. It was taken to a veterinarian for an exam. It initially appeared healthy, but after a few days, the kitten became lethargic, had decreased appetite, and began vomiting.
The kitten developed neurological symptoms of rabies including tremors, incoordination, and biting. The kitten was euthanized.
Rabies is a viral disease most commonly transmitted by the bite of an animal that has been infected. Once symptoms appear, the disease is nearly always fatal.
As of June 28, there have been 14 rabid animals, including the kitten, found in Michigan. The other cases include eight bats and five skunks that were found in seven different counties throughout the Lower Peninsula.
How to protect yourself, your pets from rabies
You should visit your veterinarian on a regular basis and keep rabies vaccinations up-to-date for all cats, ferrets, and dogs.
Even if an animal is kept inside, keeping their vaccination against rabies up-to-date is important in case they are ever exposed to a stray animal carrying the disease.
Michigan law requires ferrets and dogs to be currently vaccinated against rabies.
If you are exposed to a wild animal, you should wash all bites or scratches immediately with soap and water.
If you think you or your animal may have had contact with rabid wildlife, you should immediately contact your veterinarian or MDARD at 800-292-3939 to determine the next steps.
What are the symptoms of rabies in a person?
The early symptoms of rabies in people may include fever, headache, general weakness, and discomfort.
People may also feel a prickling or an itching sensation at the site of the bite. The symptoms can last for days.
Over time, neurological symptoms may appear. Those can include difficulty sleeping, anxiety, confusion, hallucinations, agitation, partial paralysis, difficulty swallowing, and the fear of water.
Once symptoms appear, the disease is nearly always deadly.
What are the symptoms of rabies in an animal?
Animals with rabies may behave strangely or in unexpected ways.
The early symptoms include fever, lethargy, vomiting, and lack of appetite.
The later symptoms include weakness, difficulty walking, paralysis, seizures, difficulty swallowing, excessive salivation, abnormal behavior, and aggression.
What is the treatment for rabies?
To prevent rabies in a person that has potentially been exposed, the person undergoes a series of injections called Rabies Postexposure Prophylaxis.
People who have never received rabies vaccinations in the past must receive both the rabies antibody (rabies immune globulin, or HRIG) and the vaccine. People who have already been vaccinated will only need the rabies vaccine.
Once symptoms appear, the disease is nearly always fatal. At that point, treatment is only supportive.
The state of Michigan has more information about rabies available online.