What will happen to my cat if he eats something that has rabies?

Question

My cat has been bringing home half eaten squirrels every 2-3 days. What are the chances of him getting rabies IF the squirrels have it?

Answer 1

Check with your local humane society. Different areas of the US have different vectors for rabies - I believe the the East and Southeast raccoons carry it. Where I live in CA it is bats.

I have not heard of squirrels as vectors. Just check to relieve your mind. Of course if you have an outside cat it should have received vaccinations for rabies.

Answer 2

if your cat eats something that has rabies then he will most likely get rabies (which is incurable)
personally I've never heard of a squirrel that had rabies but that does not mean it is not possible, only highly unlikely
the only way to prevent your cat from contracting rabies is to stay up to date on her rabies vaccinations (most vets have you bring your cat in about once a year for her rabies vaccination, it costs about $20 depending on the vet however places like petco and the humane society have low cost vaccination programs which are cheaper)
personally, if I was you I would not be concerned with your cat catching rabies because she should be up to date on her rabies vaccinations anyway (it's illegal in some states to not have your pet vaccinated), I would be more concerned with the the other more common illnesses that your cat could catch from eating wildlife; diseases that are just as fatal as rabies yet your cat is more likely to catch them because they are far more common
here is a link which discusses the more common (often times fatal) diseases that your cat can catch from eating wildlife (including feline lukemia, feline distemper, feline infectious peritonitis, feline immunodeficiency virus, feline viral upper respiratory disease, cat-scratch disease, toxoplasmosis, lyme disease, roundworms, hookworms, etc..) most of which can be passed to other animals (and other pets you may have) and several of which can even be passed to you:
http://www.wildspirit.org/hazard.htm

Answer 3

Almost 100%. Get the cat its shots.

Answer 4

my neighbors dog killed a fox that had rabies and it was ok. you should check with a vet though.

Answer 5

I say go to the vet right away! If they have it it could make you cat VERY sick

Answer 6

take him to the vet
immeeadialty
haha my spelling.. whooppss.