The Barn Cat That Changed How I See Rabies

A year or two ago, my family and I went to a small barn to take pictures and see some animals. When we arrived there, I stumbled upon a cute fluffy barn cat. She was extremely friendly and sweet, so I didn't think twice about petting her. Later on, when I arrived back at home to look at all the photos I took, I realized that the cat I was petting was actually drooling. In that picture, a long trail of saliva followed her mouth.

My heart dropped. I started panicking and wondering if the cat had rabies, so I scrambled through many sources to find an answer. Cats groom their fur with their saliva, and I spent a good time running my hand through her fur. If saliva got into contact with any open wounds, it would be fatal. 

Eventually, I stumbled upon valuable information that slowly calmed me down. I was fortunate to learn that cats can drool when the temperature gets really hot. On that day, the sun was at its peak, and my whole family was sweating from the heat. The relief I felt was immense. 

Even though I hadn't made contact with rabies that day, it completely changed the way I interacted with animals. If you intend to interact with any animals you see, it's important to observe their behaviour and appearance first. Excessive salivation, lethargy, aggression, and irregular behaviour are some of the telltale signs to exercise extreme caution and avoid approaching the animal altogether. If you are bitten, rush to the hospital as soon as possible and get the medication needed. One small moment of happiness is not enough to throw your whole life away.

— Nicole Glean, Manitoba, Canada