2006-12-05 05:34:09 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Cats
Rabies isn't that common, and you get it from the saliva. If the cat didn't bite you, I'd say you were in the clear. Is this a feral kitten? Don't ever mess with wild cats, unless you really know what you are doing. They are terrified of people, and will do anything to escape. It takes a long slow process to make them friendly to people.
2006-12-05 05:38:21 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 1⤋
No way should a kitten that young be outside!
That said, the incidence of rabies in housecats in the US is non-existant at the present time. You would have to get bitten by the kitten and her saliva enter your bloodstream for her to transfer rabies to her. If she just scratched you she could have saliva from her mouth on her paw and the virus could be transferred to you - an almost infintesimal possibility.
When your kitten is five or six months old she can have a rabies vaccination if she will be outside. Prior to that she should be kept indoors.
There are different wild animal vectors in different parts of the US. In the East and Southern areas raccoons are the vectors for rabies. Here in my county it is bats.
Call your local animal control or humane society and find out which wild animals are carrying rabies in your area - skunks could be a possibility and I haven't read that they are.
2006-12-05 14:22:58 · answer #2 · answered by old cat lady 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
technically, YES you can get rabies from a scratch. but it's very hard to get from a simple scratch. that scratch would have to be deep, and the kitten must've had to lick itself before scratching you. the probability of getting rabies from a scratch is very slim, but it is possible. if you're nervous about it, call your doctor and just ask. symptoms can include anxiety, headaches and fever; later the effects of the encephalitis intensify. There are spasms of the swallowing muscles making it difficult or impossible for patients to drink (hydrophobia), and respiratory failure sets in, it takes 2-8 weeks incubation period for rabies. i can tell you i do not believe it's very likely you have rabies from a cat scratch, but do whatever you'd like to do.
-megan
2006-12-05 13:40:41 · answer #3 · answered by Megan S 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Scratches don't lead to rabies. However if you have not had a tetanus shot within the last couple of years, you need to get one.
2006-12-05 13:36:59 · answer #4 · answered by Veneta T 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I dont think you have anything to worry about with rabies from a cat scratch. I think that is only by bite. You can get something called Cat Scratch Fever though.....I've only heard of it never seen anyone get it.........
2006-12-05 13:36:47 · answer #5 · answered by Just here. 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
not usually. Rabies is carried by the saliva, and is transferred when you are bitten. scratches usually won't lead to rabies, but it could become infected if you don't wash it out.
2006-12-05 13:58:29 · answer #6 · answered by phobic_42 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I assume this is a familar cat around the neighborhood and there'd be no reason to believe it to be rabid? It is an unfamilar cat then there'd be need to think more about the situation. Did it bite, froth at the mouth or act ferocious in any way? Any animal can be rabid if bitten by another rabid animal. Any cat will scratch.
2006-12-05 13:40:58 · answer #7 · answered by seblexie 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
i really dont think so. i would clean the wound well and put something on it. then maybe call your doctor. also is the cat a stray? if so i would call animal control. just to be on the safe side. good luck!..julie
2006-12-05 13:39:03 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
unlikely but you might want to make sure your tetanis is up to date
2006-12-05 14:39:57 · answer #9 · answered by gerrifriend 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋