2006-09-13 07:01:15 · 26 answers · asked by rosecrashers1365 2 in Pets ➔ Cats
I highly doubt it was a rabid cat. However cat bites are notorious for developing infection. Use some anti-biotic cream on the cleaned puncture sites....but if inflammation begins and swelling increases with the pain...get yourself into a doctor for some anit-biotics. The bite will probably get infected....but you can try to treat at home if it is minor. Again watch for spreading inflammation and get yourself in asap if that develops.
2006-09-13 07:09:17 · answer #1 · answered by Jaded Ruby 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You need to have the cat tested or find it's owner (if there is one) to see if it's had it's shots. Unfortunately, the animal will need to be destroyed to find out if it has rabies but that's still better than you dying from it. Can you catch the cat? If not- call your doctor and ask what some of the signs are that would allow you time to get the proper treatment. Rabies is nothing to mess around with!!!
2006-09-13 07:04:46 · answer #2 · answered by Coo coo achoo 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Unfortunately, if you do not know the whereabouts of the cat (so that you can bring it in to the vet), then you cannot find out if it has rabies. Some cats just like to bite people, but you are better off safe than dead. If you wait for rabies symptoms to appear, you're in trouble if you have the symptoms. Sorry, you should get the shots to prevent yourself from dying of rabies...unless you can take the cat in to get tested.
2006-09-13 07:05:32 · answer #3 · answered by TomServo 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Unless they find the cat that bit you, you will need to get rabies shot to be in the safe side. I have heard that they have come up with rabies shots that are not as painful as the ones before. Try to find the cat so that they can open his brain and see if he had rabies. Usually a cat will not bite, so go to the hospital and get checked, or maybe someone in the neighborhood feeds that particular cat and they can catch him. Best of luck.
2006-09-13 07:08:20 · answer #4 · answered by Boricua Born 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Rabies would not be a strong possibility unless the cat actually came at you and attacked.
If it was not a deep puncture wound it's not too much of a problem and you should definitely go to an emergency room if your tetanus vaccination is not up to date (more than eight years).
If you were deeply punctured by the bite it would be very painful, red and swelling within thirty mintutes of being bitten. The puncture wound takes the staph or other infection from the surface of your skin deep into your body. When that happened to me I had intravenous penicillin for several hours and then had to take pills for the next ten days.
2006-09-13 07:17:28 · answer #5 · answered by old cat lady 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Rabies shots are a series of shots into the lining of the stomache. I would try to get the cat so it could be tested. First, go to the Dr, then see if you can trap the cat in a live trap and get it tested. If not, the shots are your only option.
2006-09-13 07:10:50 · answer #6 · answered by Jeep Driver 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Rabies is very rare and the rabies treatment is very expensive. Call your local health unit and ask them if they offer free rabies treatment. They will be able to advise you on the rabies situation in your area. Incidentally, my daughter got bit by a stray dog and the health unit officials told me there hasn't been a single case of rabies in this area in 8 years.
2006-09-13 07:17:27 · answer #7 · answered by Ayliann 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
First you need to contact animal control so they can try to trap the cat and monitor it to see if it has rabies. Second you need to get to your doctor and start your rabies shots. Speaking from experience, (but over 20 years ago) it's not fun, but you have to start them just in case the cat does have rabies. You can not wait.
2006-09-13 07:04:58 · answer #8 · answered by MiMi 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You need to see a doctor. I would not be worried about Rabies but cat bites are notorious for infection. You might need a tetanus shot if you have not had one in a while. Better safe than sorry.
2006-09-13 07:11:42 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, you should go the Dr. He will decide about the rabies shots. Be sure to take his advice. You may need a tetanus shot at the very least.
Any animals can/do carry a multitude of nasty infections in their moths.(Humans have the nastiest mouths). In future, please be very carefull around any animal you don't know. They are very self protective & the majority don't like strangers to touch them which is very ubderstandable. A lot of people are the same way. Animals have no way to let you know what they don't like except to bite. They don't think like us either so you can't expect them to just move out of the way, they are definitely giving you a warning to leave them alone..Never ever touch wild animals.
2006-09-13 07:19:43 · answer #10 · answered by mazell41 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋