Pseudorabies (Aujeszky’s Disease) in Cats: 2025 Vet Insights 🐱🧡

Hello, I’m Dr Duncan Houston BVSc, feline veterinarian and founder of Ask A Vet. In this 2025 guide, we discuss pseudorabies (also called Aujeszky's disease or “mad itch”) in cats—a rare but almost invariably fatal viral infection transmitted by contact with infected swine or raw pork. You’ll learn about causes, clinical signs, diagnostics, supportive care, prognosis, and prevention strategies, including how Ask A Vet, Woopf, and Purrz can support your cat’s comfort and monitoring. 💙

📌 What Is Pseudorabies?

Pseudorabies is caused by Suid herpesvirus 1, a swine herpesvirus from which pigs are the natural reservoir. While eradicated in farmed swine in many regions, it persists in feral pigs—wild or outdoor cats exposed to infected swine or their tissues can contract the virus :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}.

⚠️ Why It Matters

• The disease is rapidly progressive and usually fatal in cats—death often follows within 24–72 hours after symptom onset :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}.
• Shares similar early signs with rabies, including intense itching (“mad itch”), facial self-trauma, and neurologic dysfunction—but itching, not aggression, predominates :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}.
• Supportive care is the only option—no specific antiviral exists :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}.

👥 How Cats Become Infected

• Primarily through ingestion of infected or undercooked pork or wild swine tissue :contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7}.
• Rare cases via bite wounds or other contact with infected animals :contentReference[oaicite:8]{index=8}.
• Transmission between cats is not documented :contentReference[oaicite:9]{index=9}.

🔍 Clinical Signs to Watch For

• Intense pruritus, especially around the head and neck—leading to self-mutilation and dermatitis (“mad itch”) :contentReference[oaicite:10]{index=10}.
• Neurologic symptoms: ataxia, circling, head pressing, tremors, convulsions, altered mentation :contentReference[oaicite:11]{index=11}.
• Excessive salivation, vomiting, diarrhea, rapid breathing, fever :contentReference[oaicite:12]{index=12}.
• Death typically occurs within 1–3 days of symptom onset; some cats perish suddenly :contentReference[oaicite:13]{index=13}.

🔬 Diagnostic Steps

1. History & exam: Exposure to swine or raw pork, intense facial itching, neurologic changes :contentReference[oaicite:14]{index=14}.
2. Bloodwork: No specific lab abnormalities; helps rule out other conditions :contentReference[oaicite:15]{index=15}.
3. PCR or viral isolation: Made from brain, tonsil, spleen, or lung—often confirmed post-mortem :contentReference[oaicite:16]{index=16}.
4. Differentials: Rabies, toxoplasmosis, neurological diseases—swine exposure and itching help differentiate :contentReference[oaicite:17]{index=17}.

🛠️ Treatment & Supportive Care

• No antiviral treatment is available—care is purely supportive :contentReference[oaicite:18]{index=18}.
• Hospitalization with fluids, electrolyte management, and nutrition.
• Medications to control seizures, tremors, and pain.
• Antibiotics may help prevent secondary infections :contentReference[oaicite:19]{index=19}.
• Escalating itch often prompts euthanasia; very few cats survive :contentReference[oaicite:20]{index=20}.

🌱 Prognosis

• The prognosis is grave—over 95% fatal, with records of survivor cats being extremely rare :contentReference[oaicite:21]{index=21}.
• Rapid deterioration over 1–3 days means early euthanasia is often the most humane option.

🛡️ Prevention Strategies (2025)

• Prevent outdoor exposure to feral swine or raw/undercooked pork :contentReference[oaicite:22]{index=22}.
• Farm cats should avoid hunting rodents near swine areas.
• Strict biosecurity and awareness in regions with feral pig populations :contentReference[oaicite:23]{index=23}.
• No vaccine for cats—it’s used only in pigs :contentReference[oaicite:24]{index=24}.

🏠 Home Monitoring & Telehealth Support

• Ask A Vet: 24/7 advice on whether signs warrant emergency euthanasia or comfort care.
• Woopf: Supplies for in-home supportive care, safe feeding, hydration, and monitoring tools.
• Purrz: Log neurological signs, itch intensity, appetite, and hydration—alert your vet swiftly.

✅ Care Roadmap

1. Recognize exposure risk in cats found with hogs or raw pork.
2. Watch for intense facial scratching, neurologic changes, fever.
3. Visit vet—PCR testing may not be conclusive before death.
4. Provide supportive care if viable; evaluate quality-of-life and humane endpoints.
5. Follow up with vet for euthanasia decision or comfort care plan.
6. Prevent future exposure through strict indoor feeding and pest control.
7. Use Ask A Vet, Woopf, Purrz to monitor and support during critical illness.

✨ Final Thoughts from Dr Houston

Pseudorabies in cats is tragic and swift—intense head itching, neurologic decline, and rapid fatality make early recognition and humane care vital. With no cure, prevention through eliminating contact with infected swine is essential. Telehealth and home-care tools like Ask A Vet, Woopf, and Purrz can offer support and guidance through difficult decisions, helping you provide comfort even when medical options are gone. 💙🐾

Need help now? Visit AskAVet.com or download our app for compassionate guidance, euthanasia support, and comfort-care plans tailored to your cat’s condition.