Rabies Vaccine Price in Bangladesh

Picture yourself sipping coffee in your lounge one morning. You are scrolling your phone endlessly while your cat has been to his morning getaway somewhere in the neighborhood. Half an hour later, you get up to prepare your super-friendly and extroverted orange cat, his favorite treat, when all of a sudden you hear an angry scream. “Is that my…cat?”, even before you can complete your sentence, your super adorable fluff ball rushes to you with an angry face and scratches you. Panic-stricken, you grab your phone to search up the symptoms and whisper to yourself “oh god, did Ginger catch Rabies?” But what is the next step you should take? Keep reading to find out.

So, what is Rabies?

Rabies is a viral infection that affects the central nervous system in mammals. Rabies in cats similarly begin by affecting the feline nervous system including the brain and spinal cord. Rabies is a life-threatening virus if not treated, however, it is preventable with the aid of vaccines. 

How is Rabies transmitted to cats?

Typically, rabies is passed onto cats through the bite of any other animal that has contracted the virus. Another way in which rabies can be spread is through saliva. The infection of the disease can stay in the saliva for up to 2-3 hours and any direct contact with other mammals within this timeframe can cause rabies to transmit.

What are the symptoms of Rabies?

After the initial bite, the rabies virus has to reach the nervous system or the brain for the symptoms to show. This timeframe between the initial bite and the appearance of symptoms is known as the incubation period. Changes you might notice in this period may be:

• The initial symptoms can be the same as the flu: headache, weakness, discomfort, or fever.
• A prickling or itching sensation can be felt at the site of the bite for several weeks.
• Extroverted cats can become less affectionate and may prefer to stay alone.
• Cats may become more aggressive or vicious towards others.
• Loss of appetite, nervousness, and a state of irritability.

After a while, these symptoms begin to grow intense and can lead to:

• Anxiety disorder
• Agitation
• Cerebral Dysfunction
• Unexplainable seizures
• Drooling, foaming at the mouth causing affected muscles to not be able to swallow
• Loss of Muscle Control: The final stage of rabies in cats may include paralysis and coma

How long can it take for the symptoms of Rabies in cats to appear?

After a cat has been affected, it takes a while for the symptoms to show. These stages can be divided into three categories:

• Prodomal Stage: The first 2-3 days after a cat has been exposed to rabies. There may be personality changes as well as changes in voices. Licking or scratching the infected area is a sign of prodomal stage.
• Excitative Stage: The next 1-7 days after prodomal stage. Also known as the “mad dog” stage. This is when the infected cat starts getting vicious and is the most vulnerable moment for humans to get affected.
• Paralytic Stage: The final 2-4 days are where weakness starts to set in. When the muscles that control breathing gradually become paralyzed, death occurs within a few hours.

How do I diagnose Rabies in my cat?

It is technically impossible to diagnose rabies in cats that are alive. A completely accurate test is only possible by diagnosing the brain tissue of an animal which has passed away. 

Your cat should spend six months indoors if it gets bitten by a wild animal or stray cat. If your cat is not vaccinated and was bitten by an animal highly suspected to be rabid, humane euthanasia may be directed by the Veterinarian doctor. However, a series of rabies vaccines to prevent post-exposure infection followed by a period of quarantine is recommended.

What are treatments available for my Rabid Cat?

Unfortunately, there is no treatment for cats infected with rabies and showing symptoms. However, immediate medication is recommended, whereby:

• Immediate disinfection of wounds, with proper guidelines from a vet or animal care, may lower the risk of rabies in cats; DIY-ing at home is strictly prohibited
• Human Euthanasia can be directed, with the help of the health department, to the infected cat
• Booster shots can be given to the infected cat and kept in quarantine

Is there a cure for Rabies in Cats?

Unfortunately, there is no cure for rabies in cats once symptoms develop. However, prevention is better than cure. It is recommended to vaccinate your cats in the early stages of their lives. Vaccines help protect against infections in cats that otherwise are life-threatening for them and can be passed down to humans. Vaccines continue to save the lives of millions of cats and this practice must be maintained for the betterment.

Moreover, September 28 is declared as the World Rabies Day to raise awareness about the importance of anti rabies vaccine in cats and dogs. In honor of that, Veterinary Teaching Hospital (VTH) of Bangladesh Agricultural University celebrated the 'World Rabies Day 2021' through organizing "Free Rabies Vaccination for Dogs and Cats & Awareness Campaign" on 28 September 2021 at the hospital premises.

Can Rabies be transmitted to Humans?

Rabies is highly transmissible to both humans and other animals through a bite from the infected cat. Unvaccinated cats, domestic cats who are allowed to roam outside freely as well as cats in pet shops are the most susceptible to rabies.

What is the price of the Anti-Rabies Vaccine in Bangladesh?

“Rabisin” is the ideal vaccine for rabies in cats and is administered to cats at ages around 6 months, 1 year, and 3 years. The price of the vaccine ranges from BDT 300-500 and is available in all Veterinary care. Interestingly, Rabisin is also the rabies vaccine given to rabid dogs. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), the same preventive measures must be taken for rabid cats as well as rabies in dogs.

 

Rabies is a life-threatening and fatal disease spread by stray animals or unvaccinated pets. While there is no cure for Rabid cats once contracted, thankfully it is entirely preventable by keeping track of your pet’s vaccination schedules.