I live in India. I have been bitten by a rabid kitten. The kitten died last week of rabies like illness. I took a 5-series rabies vaccine shot in May 2006. Am I protected, or do I have to get another series done? I was bitten 1 month ago while feeding the kitten and not because of provocation. It was a small teeny-weeny puncture wound on my finger, which has now healed. The kitten is dead and I dont know what to do.
2006-12-10 00:03:22 · 12 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Cats
go to the hospital for a check up
2006-12-10 00:11:56 · answer #1 · answered by traveller 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Hello Humbly..
You have a better chance of being well considering that the cat was a kitten and the rabies may have not been there for long or that serious (despite the fact that she/he died from it).
The shots may have helped prevent any infections or illness but it's best to go to a hospital or doctor for a check up to see if all is well.
If your doctor says everything is fine, take a few more shots (And maybe asprin, or some medication) just to be sure.
If the doctor says (No) and suggests you take more shots or gives you a prescription-- Do it. Its best to be safe.
I applause your kindness of feeding a stray kitten, and you're lucky that it was only a small wound instead of a big infection.
Considering that you havnt taken rabie shots in a few months, take a few more before you see the doctor, time can alter medications and shots no matter how much you take.
Good luck Humbly..
2006-12-10 01:09:25 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You need to still go to the doctor (or at least call them). I also have my rabies vaccine and the antibodies produced by the vaccine usually stay in the system for quite a long time (years). However, I am not sure if they would reccomend the post-exposure vaccine also, as a precaution.
The best way to know would be to have the kitten tested by the Health Dept. (or something similar), however, if the kitten died a while ago, the results wouldn't be accurate.
2006-12-10 01:06:33 · answer #3 · answered by lesrvt 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I had to have the rabies series of shots and it states on the card they gave me at the hospital that "You have completed a post-exposure anti-rabies treatment with IMOVAX rabies Vaccine (HCD) USP on (Date). Should you become exposed again to a rabid animal and require treatment, only two 1ML doses of Rabies Vaccine must be administered three days apart." I'm no sure if you took the post-exposure shot or if it was the same brand or not but as the other people have stated you should go to the hospital or doctor. I'm not sure if you had the same shots has I had in the US. I hope this helps you.
2006-12-10 03:06:43 · answer #4 · answered by big_er_fan_7 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Rabies is a fatal disease. If you were bitten, then you need serum injection against rabies (the injection will contain antibodies against rabies). I think the vaccine you are talking about is actually the serum injection because you need an immediate protection against the rabies virus by neutralizing it. Try to inquire from your doctor if it is it. Giving vaccine is too late because it takes time to develop antibodies (about 10 to 14 days) whereas if it is serum, it is a ready made antibodies that when injected will neutralize the Rabies virus coming from the rabid cat. This is your only hope. So please go to your doctor who knows well about rabies for best advice.
2006-12-10 01:27:25 · answer #5 · answered by Rebecca N 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You must ask a doctor. Normally after being bitten by a rabid animal you have to get a rabies shot. Of course, usually we have not been vaccinated, and you are, but you must ask a doctor and perhaps repeat it, because rabies is a fatal disease and you can't risk it.
2006-12-10 02:00:15 · answer #6 · answered by cpinatsi 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If you had the vaccine that recently, I think you are safe, rabies shots last for quite a while. Your best bet is to go to the doctor and ask if you need a follow up shot, but I really think that your last vaccine was enough.
2006-12-10 08:52:18 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would go like yesterday and get more shots. Stay away from cats in India.....why the shots in May? Is rabies running wild in the area? I sure wouldn't take any chances, once the time line for the shots goes you go, too. Not a prettty site, here.....contact your doctor.
2006-12-10 14:05:22 · answer #8 · answered by Sage 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Get to a doctor ASAP, and take the kitten with you . you opt for finding out and medical care. in case you don't get early medical care, rabies is deadly BTW, what makes you think of the kitten replaced into rabid?
2016-10-05 03:08:04 · answer #9 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Please allow me to rephrase your question. Are you willing to stop the shots, be wrong, and get sick? Remember, your life is on the line. And here's another important question. What does your doctor say? Taking rabies shots dose not mean you are protected from future exposures.
I hope you get better soon.
2006-12-10 00:17:22 · answer #10 · answered by Rhino-Jo 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
um.....you should have contacted your doctor or a neerby hspital IMMIDIATEY after you were bitten but don't delay. call yur doctor or go to the hospital NOW.you might be ok because you have had a recent shot but there is a good chance that you need medical care.
2006-12-10 01:09:21 · answer #11 · answered by georgeonfridays 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋