Mary Allen
Aujeszky’s disease in cats is also known as pseudo-rage. It is a life-threatening viral infection that is triggered by a pathogen that is one of the herpes viruses. The virus is mainly transmitted via raw pork. Fortunately, Aujeszky’s disease is very rare.
The so-called Aujeszky’s disease is one of the cat diseases that are almost always fatal. Typically, a cat that contracts the viral disease will die 12 to 48 hours after the first symptoms appear. Fortunately, however, the deadly infection is relatively rare. You can protect your cat from this by preventing your cat from eating raw pork or roaming free on a farm.
Aujeszky’s Disease: Causes & Contagion
The viral infection was first described in 1902 by the Hungarian veterinary pathologist Professor Aladár Aujeszky, after whom the disease is named. He first found the disease in pigs and wild boar, which are comparatively well protected against the infection, so they can survive an infestation with the virus. Along with rats, the animals are considered the main carriers of the Aujeszky virus. In addition to cats, dogs, goats, and cattle are also susceptible to Aujeszky’s disease.
The triggering viruses are transmitted between pigs by droplet infection, the pathogen jumps to rats or cats either through bite injuries or through the consumption of pork. However, this only applies if it is eaten raw because the virus dies at temperatures above 60 degrees Celsius.
Theoretically, infection via live pigs is also conceivable, for example, if cats come into contact with sick animals on a farm. Furthermore, indirect transmission cannot be ruled out, for example through contaminated transport vehicles or equipment.
In the event of an infection with food, the viruses first reach the cat’s gastrointestinal tract and from there migrate to the brain. Here they cause inflammation, which gradually destroys the nerve tissue and ultimately leads to the death of the cat.
Symptoms of “Pseud Anger”
Two to seven days after infection, the symptoms of Aujeszky’s disease in cats become noticeable. Since the disease affects the brain, it mainly manifests itself through neurological symptoms.
The cat appears restless at first, meows a lot, makes conspicuous swallowing movements, and loses a lot of salivae. Severe itching in the head area often occurs, which can lead to the cat injuring itself and showing convulsive symptoms – this is where the term “pseudo-rage” for Aujeszky’s disease is derived since the signs are similar to those of rabies.
In the late phase of the disease, movement disorders, paralysis, and loss of coordination occur, and the cat keeps tipping over to the side when walking. The affected cat usually dies about 12 to 48 hours after showing the first symptoms. Although there is no cure for Aujeszky’s disease, you should take a sick cat to the vet immediately as the infection is notifiable.