Hi. Just a few days ago, our "adopted" kitten scratched my forearm. It was a stray. It was a superficial scratch (with no blood drawn) but, nevertheless, I decided to get a post-exposure vaccine. But just now, it gave me another scratch. It's so little, less than an inch, no blood drawn. However, I'm just a bit paranoid as it was licking my hands. There was no wound on my hand whatsoever, except for that teeny scratch that I'm not even sure I got from the kitten because it was already a scab by the time I noticed it (which was like seconds after I put the kitten downn).
My question has more to do with my worry that kitten saliva might have gotten into the "newly-discovered" scratch. How high is the risk and will my currently undergoing post-exposure vaccination help? Thanks!
2006-11-08 13:46:14 · 3 answers · asked by Nadz U 2 in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ Infectious Diseases
Just an additional detail. I know that it can sometimes take years before humans exhibit rabies infection. Is this the same with the animals or do they exhibit the symptoms of having passed on the disease at a much earlier rate regardless of when the human bitten or scratched exhibits the symptoms of infections? Thanks!
2006-11-08 13:59:20 · update #1
well you can always find out really how likley rabies is by going to your local county health depatment usaully on line. My guess your fine just hurry up and and get your new kitty vaccinated so you can enjoy playing with it.
2006-11-08 13:52:47 · answer #1 · answered by mamalittle 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Is the kitten acting normal for a kitten? Rabies has specific characteristics. Usually known for foaming at the mouth. I think you are just paranoid about the rabies. But if you are keeping the Kitten you need to take it to the vet to be checked for health issues and to get a set of vaccines including rabies. If not you need to take it to a shelter. The only way to test an animal for rabies is to study the brain under a microscope. wouldn't want to see it taken to that extreme if it is not necessary
2006-11-08 21:57:53 · answer #2 · answered by new mommy 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If the animal is not infected i.e. does not show any sign of rabies then don't wory about it. The animal has to have the disease to pass it on. In case of dogs also we observe the dog. If dog is noraml then we forget rabbies from that dog!
2006-11-08 21:50:23 · answer #3 · answered by pathowiz 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋