Cat exposed to rabies in Tuscarawas County

The New Philadelphia City Health Department is asking for veterinarians’ help in locating a cat that was exposed to rabies in the New Philadelphia area of Tuscarawas County. The cat reportedly left a bat, which was confirmed positive for rabies by the Ohio Department of Health Laboratory on April 12, in a residential yard. The resident reporting the incident believed someone in the area owns the cat, though it has yet to be identified.

If you believe one of your clients owns this pet or you examine a cat with unexplained neurologic symptoms and abnormal behavior, please contact the New Philadelphia Health Department or the Ohio Department of Health (see below for contact information).

Once identified, if the exposed cat is asymptomatic, a rabies booster should be administered as soon as possible, after which the New Philadelphia Health Department will issue a quarantine order for the animal. The length of quarantine will depend on the animal’s rabies vaccination history. In the event the owner declines the booster/quarantine, an owner is not found, or the animal is ill, euthanasia and rabies testing will be required.

Signs of rabies in animals

Signs and symptoms may vary depending on the species, overall health, vaccine status, and rabies virus variant. The initial symptoms may be nonspecific and include:

  • Lethargy
  • Fever
  • Vomiting
  • Anorexia

An important indicator of rabies in an animal is that signs progress within days, despite treatment. These signs include:

  • Cerebral dysfunction
  • Cranial nerve dysfunction
  • Ataxia
  • Weakness
  • Paralysis
  • Seizures
  • Difficulty breathing and/or swallowing
  • Excessive salivation
  • Abnormal behavior
  • Aggression
  • Self-mutilation

Contact Information

New Philadelphia City Health Department
Lee Finley, Director of Environmental Health
Vickie Ionno, Health Commissioner
Phone: 330.364.4491, ext. 1208

The Ohio Department of Health
Bureau of Infectious Diseases
Zoonotic Disease Program
Phone: 614.752.1029

For more information

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