Do kittens inherit rabies from their mothers?

It is generally believed that the transmission of rabies does not include vertical transmission, which means that offspring will not infect because of maternal infection. Meanwhile, the likelihood of a mother cat infected with rabies during pregnancy is very low. The main mode of transmission of rabies is through bites from infected animals, which can infect the skin and mucous membranes. Additionally, it is also possible to contract the disease through inhalation of gases, ingestion of infected animal meat, and mutual cannibalism among animals.

Rabies is an acute encephalitis caused by the rabies virus infection in all warm-blooded animals. Clinical manifestations include restlessness, behavioral abnormality, paralysis, and ultimately death. The incubation period of the rabies virus is relatively long, usually 2 to 8 weeks, but in some cases it can last for several months to years. However, the mortality rate after rabies virus infection is usually 100%.

The rabies virus mainly exists in the brain tissue and salivary glands of infected animals, with a large amount of virus in the saliva. The main mode of transmission is through bites or mucous membrane infections. Additionally, it is also possible to spread through gases or mutual cannibalism among animals.

The rabies virus infection can be divided into three stages: incubation period, rage period, and paralysis period. Animals in the incubation period generally do not show related clinical symptoms. Those in the rage period usually exhibit extreme restlessness, sudden changes in personality, and aggression towards humans and other animals. Symptoms in the paralysis period mainly include severe drooling, paralysis of the hind limbs, inability to stand, and finally death due to respiratory muscle paralysis.

Dogs and cats are highly susceptible to the rabies virus and should be vaccinated in a timely manner. Currently, the effective way to prevent rabies virus infection is to regularly administer rabies vaccines. The age for cats to receive their first vaccination is 3 months old, and it is recommended to go to a livestock station or pet hospital for vaccination, ensuring that the cat is in good health before vaccination.