Cat has rabies???

[Tiramisu]

I think I probably over-reacted with saying it was rabies. But she just got sick in one day and then my mom saying that, and when I looked it up I thought it could just be starting. But she got a bit better, but then later started drooling a lot. She went to a vet, and he just said it could be an abcess. Gave her a shot of vitamins/antibiotics and gave me antibiotics to give her.
Can abcesses cause a staggered walk ?..well not really staggered, it was like she was weak, or maybe dehydration from not drinking?
"The cat most likely has an abcessed wound that needs treatment immediately because it has been let go way too long." I never knew anything was wrong, she was just not in good condition that day, there were no signs of anything wrong with her before.

 

[ultasol]

Did the vet find an abcess? drain an abcess? Find an open wound left over from an abcess?

If the vet didn't, I don't know of one that would diagnose it as such.

 

[EweSheep]

She said the cat went to the vet and it was treated.

 

[ranchhand]

Quote:
Very glad you get her to a vet, be sure you continue the antibiotics to the end of the prescription. Did the vet drain it or had it already burst?

An abcess is a really bad infection and if it starts going systemic it can cause all sorts of problems. If her wound was on her neck, that's even worse. It certainly could and probably did, cause the staggering walk, the drooling and all the other problems. She may not have been able to drink because of swelling.

Animals are hard to read, medically speaking. You often can't see anything wrong until it's almost too late. Not your fault, just a learning curve. It's a really good idea to spend enough time with them so that you learn to "read" their behaviour. Usually, when I pet them, I kinda feel them all over, looking for anything different or new. LOL, I got so used to observing animals that I do it automatically now. I just watch them a lot, paying attention to lumps, bumps, limps, eating, etc.

Really glad she's going to be okay!

 

[crtrlovr]

Almost without fail, when a cat has been in a fight with another cat and has been bitten, it will develop an abscess. Cats are amazingly quick healers, and when they're bitten, the bacteria from the attacker's mouth gets trapped inside the wound because the skin heals so quickly. Bacteria LOVE enclosed wounds, and multiply unbelievably fast. Any time you suspect your cat of having been bitten by another cat, make sure you clean the wound and treat it immediately. If it has already sealed over, keep a very close eye on it. Some people go ahead and give them a course of antibiotics any time they've been in a fight. I don't believe it's good to overuse antibiotics (antibiotic overuse has now given us MRSA, drug resistant TB, etc. so I am a strong believer in JUDICIOUS use of antibiotics, and that they be used properly), but if they're necessary they should be given and USED PROPERLY to obtain the best result possible.

ETA: ranchhand is right -- a neck wound with or without abscess could cause the symptoms you described. Internal swelling, fever, and pain could all have been factors in your cat's unwillingness (or inability) to drink, loss of appetite, lack of coordination, etc.

 

[Tiramisu]

All he said is that she had one, he felt/looked at the necka bit but thats it

gave her a shot and gave me the antibiotic and that was it. When I saw the bit of blood, it was just a very tiny bit, so if there was any wound it is most likely healed now. But she is acting more alert now she ate some...she wouldn't drink water, she looked like she wanted to. So I used the syringe he gave me to give her a little. I hope she starts acting better, if she doesn't in the next few days I think I will go to a different vet. The one I went to was the cheapest here, the place was very small/crowded, waited about two hours til we got to see him. He also said she had a fever I think not sure, her temp was 104 and said it was a bit over.

 

[ranchhand]

Quote:
No sweat. But, keep her confined for several days, so you can make sure she is hydrated, eating and getting her medications. Spoil her a bit, she's earned it! 102F is roughly normal for a cat, in that range, but she would be higher due to infection. Make sure she gets her meds and let her rest quietly overnight. I bet she'll feel better tomorrow morning.

 

[Tiramisu]

Quote:
No sweat. But, keep her confined for several days, so you can make sure she is hydrated, eating and getting her medications. Spoil her a bit, she's earned it! 102F is roughly normal for a cat, in that range, but she would be higher due to infection. Make sure she gets her meds and let her rest quietly overnight. I bet she'll feel better tomorrow morning.

Ok. Glad thats all it is, I was worried it would be something bad and be too expensive to fix and have to put her down. Glad thats not the case.

 

[FourPawz]

Glad to hear your cat is going to be ok!

 

[apbgv]

Please everyone at least do rabies vaccinations on your pets, We had a husky come in a few years ago and it did have rabies. suffering from rabies is not a pretty site and it is a zoonotic disease. That is my public service announcement for the day