Cat Drooling

Question
I've been caring for a very friendly stray (probably abandoned)for about 8 mos. now. For the last week or so  he's had stringy drool dripping out of his mouth, trouble eating at times, a silent meow, I think what looks like black around his mouth (trying to not get too close to him right now), but he is still friendly and is looking to be petted (I won't touch him right now due to his condition. some days he looks like he's better and the next day the symptoms above are back.  There's no personality changes.  I'm hoping you'll tell me it's NOT rabies.....

Answer
Well I can't tell you if it is or isn't rabies, but most likely he could have a cancer growing in his mouth. Most cats have pink or pink with freckles mouths, not black. Tigers, cougars, etc have black mouths.

It would be the kind thing to do to get him to a vet and have it looked at. If it is a cancer I think you know the rest here. He is only going to suffer and starve if it is and he is left the way he is.

Cancers are not uncommon in outdoor cats, especially white, red and white or ever red cats. The more white, the better the chance of getting cancer.

Symptoms of rabies are staggering, excessive drooling, inability to eat or drink (hence the drooling due to paralysis of the throat) trying to get really friendly when the animal was wild or feral before, etc.

There are just so many things this could be- including just a virus- that you really need to get him into the vets. Trap him or coax him into a box or get him into a pillowcase (wear gloves) and get him in. The humane society or animal control near you could possibly help with a humane trap if he is really wild.