3 month old baby salivating a lot: Drooling and Your Baby – HealthyChildren.org

It is not necessary to do hot steam inhalations, use mustard plasters and give expectorants, at the moment of increasing suffocation, this will only interfere.

Another unpleasant condition with bouts of nocturnal cough is bronchial obstruction, it occurs when the airway lumen decreases due to mucosal edema, smooth muscle spasm, and accumulation of viscous sputum. All these elements can be present at the same time or only a part of them, depending on the cause of the obstruction. nine0003

Bronchial obstruction can be caused by pathogens of acute respiratory infections (viruses, bacteria, mycoplasmas, chlamydia, fungi), as a rule, this occurs on the 3rd–5th day of an acute illness, tobacco smoke particles during passive smoking, as well as contact with an allergen in bronchial asthma. Nocturnal asthma attacks occur outside of colds, mainly due to contact with pillow feathers, dust from soft toys, and dust mites [2].

Syndrome of bronchial obstruction is manifested by paroxysmal excruciating dry cough. Shortness of breath leads to a forced posture, and it is specific: the child sits, resting his hands on the bed, and cannot exhale completely, the chest expands and “freezes on inspiration”, whistles are heard at a distance when breathing. Inhalation with a nebulizer with a bronchodilator (a drug that dilates the bronchi) will help relieve the obstruction. In the case of an attack of bronchial asthma, viscous sputum in large quantities leaves at the end and breathing becomes normal. With obstruction against the background of acute respiratory infections, the effect is not so fast and various wheezing during breathing during treatment can still continue. The cough variant of bronchial asthma without typical attacks is not typical for young children (physiologically they are prone to obstruction), and it is difficult to prove that this is asthma, since spirometry can be performed only from 6–7 years of age. nine0003

Whooping cough

Whooping cough is the most common nocturnal cough infection. At the beginning of the disease, everything goes like with a normal ARVI, then the cough intensifies, especially in the evening and at night, and becomes paroxysmal. Exhausting series of coughing shocks follow each other, classic reprises (noisy whistling breaths at the end of a series of coughing shocks) are rare, more often you can see a protruding tongue with a raised tip. The toxins produced by the bacterium Bordetella pertussis have various unpleasant effects, but the main one is prolonged irritation of the cough receptors. This leads to pathological excitation of the cough center in the medulla oblongata, and this persists for a long time, even when the bacterium itself is no longer there. Moreover, a cough can be caused by dry air, a normal touch, a loud sound. The excitation of the cough center can become so strong that it stops sending impulses to the respiratory muscles and stops breathing. In the medulla oblongata, next to the respiratory center, there is also an emetic center, a vasomotor, and vestibular nuclei involved in the redistribution of muscle tone, so excitation that passes to them also leads to repeated vomiting when coughing and other serious consequences. Timely treatment with a suitable antibiotic reduces the severity of the disease, but has little effect on the duration of the cough. Evening and nocturnal cough lasts for several months. nine0003

GERD (gastroesophageal reflux)

Another cause of coughing during sleep can be gastroesophageal reflux, we wrote about it in detail here. For a child in the first months of life, GER is physiological, but its long-term persistence and, moreover, painful symptoms indicate complications and the formation of GERD disease. With frequent profuse regurgitation, the baby wakes up, cries, coughs, suffers from otitis media or pneumonia several times in a row due to aspiration of the contents of the stomach, the voice becomes hoarse. Treatment by a gastroenterologist or even surgery will help. Remember that the safest sleeping position for a small child is on the back, in other positions (except upright in the arms of the parent) reflux does not decrease and becomes even more dangerous. nine0003

Foreign body

A sudden onset of coughing at bedtime may occur when a small foreign body is inhaled that does not completely block the airway or descends below the vocal cords. At the same time, the cough is paroxysmal, dry, appears when changing the position of the body, for example, when trying to lie down. Blueness of the nose, fingertips, shortness of breath with difficulty in inhaling may appear. If it is impossible to exclude the inhalation of a foreign body, the baby was unobserved for some time and had small objects at his disposal, after which he began to choke and cough, the Heimlich maneuver should be performed [3]. nine0003

A child under one year of age should be placed on his hips on his stomach upside down, fix his chin and make 5 rhythmic strokes with the base of the palm in the area between the shoulder blades. Then you need to check the oral cavity for the detection of an object. After that, you need to turn the child on his back and rhythmically press 5 times in the region of the lower third of the sternum, then repeat the turning and actions. At this time, you need to call an ambulance.

Source: https://ppt-online.org/410795

Video demonstrating help for a grown-up baby with aspiration of a foreign body:

Other causes

Less often than in acute conditions, a nocturnal cough may indicate heart failure, circulatory disorders in the pulmonary circulation due to heart defects, a serious disorder rhythm, dystrophic changes in the myocardium. A “cardiac” cough is usually dry, accompanied by chest pain, shortness of breath (rapid shallow breathing), increased heart rate. In this situation, it is important to diagnose the cause and treat it. Cough in this situation is not in the first place, there will be other daytime symptoms of heart failure. nine0003

Traditionally, many consider it necessary to check the child for helminths during the night cough. Yes, helminthiases can cause coughing, since the excreted waste products of worms are strong allergens, but this is not only a nighttime cough, it also happens during the day. Even with the migration of roundworm larvae into the lungs, there is not only a nocturnal cough. There are a lot of reasons that cause a nocturnal cough, there are both exotic and frequent ones.

Important symptoms requiring emergency care

Important symptoms requiring immediate medical attention:

• coughing fit with shortness of breath, inability to take a deep breath or exhale, change in skin color;
• coughing fits to vomiting;
• cough with bloody or purulent expectoration;
• cough that suddenly starts while eating or playing with small objects.

Preventive measures

Cough is not a disease, but only a symptom of the disease, which does not always require serious and long-term treatment, especially in children. nine0003

Is it possible to prevent night coughing attacks? There are events that cannot be influenced: a family predisposition to allergies and asthma, a baby’s tendency to rapid adenoid hypertrophy, a child’s encounter with a virus that causes laryngotracheitis. There are those that can be influenced: temperature and humidity in the sleeping room, drinking regimen, cleansing the nose in case of an acute illness, hypoallergenic pillow filler, lack of soft toys in the bedroom for an allergic person. It is important not to leave children under 4-5 years old alone with small objects, to follow the doctor’s prescriptions, to take basic drugs for bronchial asthma in a timely manner, to treat adenoiditis, to be vaccinated against whooping cough, measles, chicken pox, and influenza. nine0003

Your daily contribution to physical activity, walks, healthy nutrition of the child is also a good prevention of viral diseases and coughs.

Sources:


[1] https://www.uptodate.com/contents/acute-bacterial-rhinosinusitis-in-children-clinical-features-and-d…

[2] https://ginasthma.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/GINA-2020-report_20_06_04-1-wms.pdf

[3] Strozenko L.A., Lobanov Yu.F., Ivanov I.V., Morozova O.P. – Emergency care for children at the prehospital stage. Textbook – M .: INFRA – M, 2020.- 262s.

#healthyson

‘,
nextArrow: ”,
responsive: [{breakpoint: 1199, settings: {arrows: !1, infinite: !1, slidesToShow: 1}}]
})
})

Rabies in cats: signs, symptoms, prevention

September 21, 2018

Contents

• Rabies in cats

• Case history

• Modes of infection

• Symptoms and signs of rabies in cats

• Which diseases in cats can be mistaken for rabies

• Disease forms

• What to do if your cat shows symptoms of rabies

• Rabies vaccination for cats: the main method of prevention

• Can rabies be transmitted to humans

• What to do if you are bitten or scratched by an animal suspected of having rabies, or by any stray or wild animal

Rabies in cats is a dangerous viral disease that poses a serious threat to the health and life of not only the cat, but also the owner. To protect yourself and your pet, you need to know the ways of infection, the first signs of the disease and methods of prevention. nine0003

Rabies in cats

The rabies virus has been known since antiquity. It is deadly for almost all animals and for humans. Other names for the disease: rabies and rabies (from Latin “fury”).

Conventionally, according to the focus of infection, forest rabies is distinguished, when wild animals become the focus and peddler, and urban, if the disease spreads among urban, mostly homeless animals. But pets can also become victims of this virus. nine0003

Cats are among the most susceptible groups of animals to be infected with the rabies virus. Especially, cats on their own or living in the yard. Indeed, by their nature, these cute pets are dangerous predators, in whose claws small rodents often fall. And they can act as carriers of the rabies virus. Cats that are completely home (apartment) content can also become infected with the rabies virus. For example, when traveling for a routine examination to the veterinarian.

Case history

Rabies has been known since ancient times. The first cases of human disease were described as early as the 1st century AD by the ancient Greek scientist Cornelius Celsus. He called the disease “rabies” and described cases of human infection from the bite of a sick dog. In the tracts of ancient Greek physicians, methods of protection from the disease were described, including cauterization of a wound from a bite. And in France and Belgium there was a belief that a pilgrimage to the tomb of Saint Hubert, the patron saint of hunters, could save you from rabies. nine0003

In history and literature, many cases of disease in dogs are described, and the phrase “mad dog” has become a household word. There are practically no such materials about cats, but this is due more to the isolated lifestyle of cats than to the absence of cases of the disease among them.

In 1885, Louis Pasteur created the first rabies vaccine. Empirically, he received information that the introduction of virus-infected material allows animals not to get sick in the future.

The first person saved from illness was nine-year-old Josef Meister. After being attacked by a dog, his parents brought him to Pasteur. The developed vaccine saved the boy’s life, he did not get rabies. But, even despite this, the vaccine was not immediately recognized as effective.

Today, rabies vaccination is the only way to fight the disease and save the lives of people and their pets.

Methods of infection

Rabiologists from all over the world have concluded that the causative agent of the disease survives for a short time outside the host’s body. You can get infected by direct contact with the saliva and other secretions of a sick animal. Most often – through a bite or saliva getting into a wound, scratch or mucous membranes. Cases of infection are also known when pets living in a private house or outside the city became infected after sick animals ate from their bowl and left droplets of infected saliva on dishes or food. For example, hedgehogs often enter private households without fear in search of food. It is also very common for cats to become infected with rabies by eating sick rodents. nine0003

As soon as the virus enters a healthy body, it begins to multiply and move along the nerve fibers that are in the salivary glands, intestines, and mucous membranes. Subsequently, viral encephalitis (inflammation of the brain) occurs. It leads to a change in behavior, aggression or depression, paralysis, coma and death of the pet in the last stages of the disease.

The incubation period for rabies in cats can range from ten days to two months. At this time, the cat does not yet have severe symptoms, but may already be a carrier. The duration of this period depends on several factors: the amount of the virus that has entered the body, the place of its entry, the depth of the wound, the general immunity of the cat. The most dangerous are bites to the head and genitals, as there are many nerve endings in which the virus develops. After the first clinical symptoms of the disease, the cat lives no more than 7-8 days, with the exception of the atypical form of rabies, which can last up to several months from the moment of infection. nine0003

The risk group primarily includes stray cats and cats on their own. But, unfortunately, the answer to the question of whether a completely domestic / apartment cat can become infected with rabies is positive. The virus can be infected on the way to the veterinarian, it can be “brought” from the street on the owner’s shoes.

Symptoms and signs of rabies in cats

Symptoms of infection with the disease depend on its stage. The stages of rabies in cats can overlap or rapidly replace each other. nine0003

• The first stage of infection is the incubation period. It passes without visible symptoms, but the virus is already actively multiplying and moving along the fibers of the central nervous system. Symptoms at this stage are usually subtle, but almost every owner who knows his pet well can feel something is wrong. The pet looks unusually calm, lethargic, refuses food and favorite treats. Excessive caution and suspicion may appear in behavior. The cat may be too silent, or vice versa, often meow for no reason, while the pet’s voice becomes muffled or hoarse. nine0080
• The second stage is prodromal. It lasts about a day and rapidly passes into the stage of excitement and aggression. At this stage, the owner may notice expressive and unexpected changes in the behavior of the pet. Self-sufficient and unsociable cats suddenly become too friendly and even intrusive. And sociable ones, on the contrary, withdraw into themselves and look for dark corners. Also, the cat may behave strangely in food. Having refused a favorite treat, a pet may try to eat absolutely inedible things, such as a stone. nine0080
• The third stage is excitement, or that frenzy that gave the name to the disease. In cats, rabies occurs in a violent form much more often than in other animals. This phase can last up to a week, or the animal will immediately move from the prodromal stage to the paralysis stage. At the stage of excitement, the cat is most dangerous, and the number of virus particles in her body is the highest. An affectionate pet becomes irritable, extremely nervous and vicious. Attacks of aggression or hysteria can be provoked by a sharp sound or flash of light, a draft from an open door, or splashing water. In addition to mutilations from claws and teeth, the cat carries another terrible danger – a high probability of transmitting the virus to humans. In addition to pronounced nervousness or aggression, the pet suffers from muscle spasms, it has severe salivation. Also during this period, the cat can no longer eat and drink due to muscle spasm. nine0080
• The next stage of rabies infection is the so-called “silent” stage. After excitation, paralysis occurs, which manifests itself in chaotic, uncoordinated movements of the cat and convulsions. It leads to death.

At all stages of the disease, the pet is also dangerous for its owner, since rabies is transmitted to people as well. Among them:

• Epilepsy. Unfortunately, cats also suffer from this disease. The disease can manifest itself both in a kitten and in an adult pet. An epileptic seizure with salivation can not only frighten the owner, but also be mistaken for a symptom of rabies.
  How to tell the difference: after a seizure, after a while, the domestic cat recovers and behaves as usual. Attacks that recur too often are stopped with the help of special drug therapy.

nine0079 Head injuries. Domestic cats are very mobile and often injured. A concussion or hematoma in the animal’s brain often has symptoms very similar to those of the later stages of rabies. The pet may refuse food and water, poorly navigate in space, move unsteadily due to impaired coordination, be lethargic or, conversely, excited.

• Stroke. Cats also have strokes, due to which the pet may experience paralysis, salivation, and incoordination. nine0080
• Poisoning, both with poisons and drugs from the owner’s first aid kit, can be easily confused with the symptoms of rabies.
• Aujeszky’s disease (false rabies or pseudo-rabies). It is caused by a pathogen from the genus of herpeviruses. You can become infected by eating the meat of an infected animal (cattle, pigs, rats and mice are susceptible to the disease). The symptoms of infection are very similar to the classic violent form of rabies: lack of coordination, unmotivated aggression towards relatives (but almost never towards humans), refusal to eat and drink, fearfulness, excitability. Pseudo-rabies has a distinctive feature: severe itching, due to which the animal can feverishly and intensively itch in the area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe muzzle and ears, or comb the whole body until it bleeds. Also a hallmark of Aujeszky’s disease from rabies is the type and consistency of saliva. In rabies, it is viscous and hangs from the animal’s mouth in long threads, and in pseudo-rabies it resembles shampoo foam, bubbles and flows onto the chest. Unlike rabies, Aujeszky’s disease, although difficult, is treatable, so when the first symptoms appear, you should contact your veterinarian. nine0080
• Foreign body in the mouth. Often in cats, rabies symptoms can be misdiagnosed by the presence of a foreign body in the mouth or throat, such as a bone. The cat saliva flows profusely, the pet behaves restlessly or aggressively, cannot eat or drink. An experienced veterinarian in this case will quickly recognize the symptoms and help the pet get rid of the problem.

In all cases described, the cat needs the help of a doctor. It will also help prevent rabies in your pet. nine0003

Forms of the disease

Rabbit scientists distinguish four forms of rabies: abortive, violent, paralytic and atypical.

Violent rabies is the most common form in cats. Its symptoms of infection appear almost immediately after the incubation period.

The symptoms of the violent form differ at different stages of the disease. The following signs of the disease are noted:

• Changes in the behavior and habits of the animal. A contact pet can become closed, hide even from the owner, cautiously get out of their shelter. And unsociable cats can suddenly show excessive obsession, demand attention to themselves. This stage can abruptly turn into unmotivated aggression of a pet, which can be provoked by absolutely harmless things: a rustle, a knock, a flash of light. nine0080
• A pet may show aggression towards other animals and the owner, even if this has never been observed before. He may try to scratch or bite, and very often aims at the head and face. There may also be attempts to escape from the house, even in fully “apartment” cats.
• Abnormal eating behavior: the animal refuses to eat and drink, but suddenly begins to eat and gnaw on inedible things: furniture, paper, stones, and the like.
• The cat’s voice changes, it becomes low, hoarse, rough. This is due to damage to the salivary glands. nine0080
• Changes in appearance. A previously well-groomed cat becomes untidy, the coat looks dirty due to the fact that she does not tidy it up. There is a strong salivation (in rare cases, lacrimation).

The violent form of rabies in cats ends with a paralytic stage and death.

Paralytic rabies is characterized by an abrupt transition from the incubation period to the stage of paralysis, with little or no manifestations of aggression. nine0003

Symptoms of paralytic rabies:

• The cat is too calm and affectionate, she sleeps a lot and refuses to eat.
• Pet is salivating and has difficulty swallowing.
• The cat cannot swallow saliva or water even if it tries to drink.
• The lower jaw and tongue may droop.
• In rare cases, the animal can go blind as the virus paralyzes the eye muscles.

This stage usually lasts 2-4 days, after which the animal dies. nine0003

Abortive rabies is quite rare in cats. It has not yet been fully explored. The symptoms of the virus at the first stage are similar to the classic violent form. A pet can behave unpredictably, fall into a riot, then into apathy, eat inedible. There is severe salivation, possibly an upset bowel.

Paralysis does not occur in the next round of the abortive form of rabies. The animal makes a full recovery. There are versions that this form can occur in animals that have previously met with a weakened virus and have antibodies to it. nine0003

Also, apart from the classical course, with the passage of three phases from prodromal and violent to paralysis and death, there is an atypical form or the so-called “silent rabies”. It passes without the stage of excitement. Its symptoms:

• Absent, indifferent look of the animal. Especially if earlier the pet was distinguished by liveliness and curiosity.
• The cat looks untidy, the coat becomes dirty, the muzzle and front paws are wet with saliva.

nine0079 Pupils may be variable in size and greatly enlarged.

• The pet has a drooping lower jaw and increased salivation.
• The cat cannot eat or drink. It seems that the water pours out of the mouth back.

Usually an atypical form of the virus leads to paralysis and death. In rare cases, this form can become atypical or chronic.

Atypical rabies is rare in cats. It can last from 3 months to a year. Symptoms are similar to “silent rabies”, but more extended in time. In addition to the symptoms typical of the virus, the animal may appear and pass the symptoms of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract and heart, as by multiplying, the virus affects the nerve endings in different organs of the animal. nine0003

What to do if a cat has symptoms of rabies

If a pet is suspected or has symptoms of rabies, it must be urgently isolated from people and other animals. Try to minimize contact with your pet, be careful and attentive. If it is not possible to isolate the pet in a separate room or room, it is better to wear the most closed clothes with long sleeves before contact, and also take care of the face. If a cat has a violent stage of rabies, it is the face and head that can become an object of attack for her. After contact, be sure to wash your hands with soap, preferably household soap, as it is more concentrated. nine0003

If you manage to place the animal in the carrier, contact the clinic immediately. Usually, if rabies is suspected, the animal is quarantined. If rabies is not confirmed, after ten to fourteen days the pet will be returned to the owner.

Rabies vaccination for cats: the main method of prevention

Unfortunately, there is no cure or treatment for the rabies virus in cats. A person has a chance to be saved if emergency vaccination is started on time. nine0003

Only timely vaccination can protect an animal from the virus. For wild and homeless animals in regions where the situation with rabies is particularly tense, oral vaccination is used. Special edible briquettes with an attractive smell and a capsule with a vaccine inside are laid out in the forest and places where homeless animals are most concentrated in the city.

Pets are vaccinated according to a special scheme at the veterinarian. The kitten should receive the first vaccine no earlier than 3 months. During the period of change of milk teeth, pets cannot be vaccinated. After the first rabies vaccination, revaccination is carried out annually. nine0003

Many veterinary clinics offer several rabies vaccines to choose from:

• Single-component vaccines consist of only one component and give the cat immunity only from rabies.
• Complex preparations make it possible to vaccinate a pet against several diseases at once. For example, there is a vaccine for the prevention of not only rabies, but also panleukopenia, calcivirosis and rhinotracheitis.

Experts will tell you what type of vaccine to choose. nine0003

To prepare your cat for vaccination, do the following.

• Two weeks before vaccination, the cat should be treated for worms and lice (at intervals of at least 3-4 days).
• On the day of vaccination, the veterinarian should examine the kitten or cat and only after the examination vaccinate the animal.
• Pay attention to the diet. Cats are carnivores and need protein. If a meat-based diet is not an option, adult cats can use Purina One Balanced Dry Food with a high content of chicken or Purina One Moist Complete Food with Chicken and Carrots. nine0080

Only healthy animals should be vaccinated. Pregnant and lactating cats are not vaccinated.

Can rabies be transmitted to humans

The rabies virus is dangerous for both animals and humans. You can become infected both through a bite and after eating the meat of infected animals. In rare cases, infection can occur through the saliva of a sick animal on the mucous membranes of a person or through microtrauma on the skin. The virus is not transmitted from person to person by airborne droplets. nine0003

The incubation period for rabies in humans can range from a week to 1-3 months. In rare cases – up to 6 months or more. It is very important to start the emergency vaccination course as early as possible. She is the only chance to stop the virus and save lives.

First, moving along the nerve fibers, the virus enters the spinal cord. From there, it enters the brain, where an acute inflammatory process subsequently develops.

Symptoms of rabies in humans:

• There is a very noticeable discomfort at the site of the bite, pain, aching and pulling sensations. In the same period, the appearance of fears, severe depression, phobias is possible.
• Respiratory and swallowing muscles may convulsively contract due to muscle damage by the virus. This results in profuse salivation.
• Damage to the nervous system is expressed in convulsions, severe phobias, including hydrophobia (fear of water), aerophobia (fear of drafts) and the like. The patient may react painfully even to a whisper, flashes of light, a slight draft. nine0080

With a more severe virus infection, multiple organ failure and paralysis develop, which leads to coma and death.

What to do if you are bitten or scratched by an animal with suspected rabies, or any homeless or wild animal soap.

The soap solution destroys the virus. It is better to use “household” soap, it has more alkali. nine0080

If a bite from a rabid animal is suspected, emergency vaccination is recommended according to a special schedule consisting of six injections. The animal should be isolated and monitored.

Do not forget that the rabies virus is almost always incurable. Without timely vaccination, it leads to death.

If the cat does not die within 7-12 days, vaccination can be stopped. Sometimes people who fall into the risk group (veterinarians, foresters, cynologists) are vaccinated against rabies according to plan. The current rabies vaccine is not as aggressive as its predecessor, which consisted of 40 injections into the abdominal cavity. It has minimal side effects, almost all of them are local, that is, they can be itching or redness at the injection site, which disappear within a few days to a week. nine0003

Sometimes, in addition to emergency rabies vaccination, immunoglobulin injections (particles of purified blood with antibodies to the virus) are also used. Typically, such a protocol is used if there are many bites, a long period of time has passed from the bite to the address, or the bite was very close to the head or to the head and face.

The rabies virus is a disease that ends in death for an animal. It is possible to diagnose rabies in an animal only posthumously, by brain sections and the presence of antibodies in them. Therefore, only routine vaccination will help protect your pet from danger. Vaccination not only protects the animal, but also opens up many opportunities for it, because a pedigree pet without a rabies vaccination will not be able to take part in exhibitions or accompany the owner on vacation in another country. nine0003

• FUN FACT
• CLUE

The University of Tokyo conducted an experiment where cats were addressed by their owners and strangers, while the cats did not see who exactly was talking to them.