Regardless of the initial site of virus introduction, it eventually invades the central nervous system and, with rare exception, is fatal.

The usual source of rabies infection is the bite of an animal infected with the virus. Once inoculated into the victim, the virus travels up nerve endings to the central nervous system.

Cats and dogs that are never allowed to roam freely outdoors are considered free of rabies. The main risk in pet bites is serious wound infection, not rabies.

Cats most frequently get rabies by being bitten by an infected skunk, fox or raccoon.

Humans, cats and dogs are not as susceptible to the disease as some other animals such as raccoons, it is estimated that only about 15% of cats bitten by an infected animal will actually get the disease.

If an animal bites a human, the animal will be either quarantined or observed for a period of at least ten days to ensure that it does not have rabies. Frequently the animal can be quarantined in your home. Check your local governmental laws.

Be prepared that neither local veterinarians nor local animal control staff may know the correct legal proceedings.

The symptoms go through different stages.

In the first stage the "Prodromal stage" the animal may become

apprehensive, nervous, anxious and requiring solitude. A fever may be noted.

The animal’s personality may undergo a shift where friendly cats and dogs become hostile and aggressive and where previously hostile and aggressive animals are now friendly and affectionate.

Most cats will constantly lick the site of the bite. In cats, the prodromal phase lasts for only 1-2 days and they usually develop more fever spikes and erratic behavior than dogs.

Furious phase

From the prodromal phase, animals may enter the furious stage; cats are especially prone to developing this phase. Cats become restless and irritable and over react to sight and sounds. As they become more restless, they begin to roam and become more irritable and vicious. When caged, dogs may bite and attack their enclosures. Cats deteriorate into t becoming disoriented and then have seizures and eventually die.

Paralytic (dumb) phase

Cats may enter the paralytic stage after the prodormal stage, without going through the furious phase. Ususally the paralytic stage develops within 2-4 days after the onset of the first symptoms.

Nerves affecting the head and throat are the first to be involved and animals may begin to salivate and drool as a result of their inability to swallow.

Deep labored breathing and a jaw that is dropping may result as the diaphragm and face muscles become increasingly paralyzed as the virus spreads.

Animals may make a choking sound and many owners think that there is something lodged in the cat’s throat. The animal will get weaker and eventually go into respiratory failure and die.