Today I went to a friends farm.There was a cat who nibbled-bit me,my dad said since it didnt break any skin theres no way that the virus could have gotten in u, and it didnt bleed.it has some redness over the mark but i cannot see the teeth marks.It is pretty small.I did wash it with dial and i am thinking about putting some antibacteria cream stuff on it....I am worried, but he says I have gotten a tetnis shot or whatever they call it.what should i do??The farm owner says they have been to the vet...thanks in advanced.
2007-07-22 07:27:02 · 8 answers · asked by VampireBLOOD. 3 in Pets ➔ Cats
the cat did not act weird or foam at the mouth.it is a very friendly cat.
2007-07-22 07:53:40 · update #1
Don't worry. If the nip didn't break the skin, you'll be fine. Washing it if enough, or you can put some antibacterial creme on it if you wish.
You would only need a tetanus shot if you got a deep wound, and the chances of a cat having Rabies is almost zero.
There have been only a few cases of Rabies in the US this year, and they were all in bats and a fox. One human being had it last year, but he was bitten by a dog in Mexico.
2007-07-22 07:42:47 · answer #1 · answered by Kayty 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Clean it with alcohol, put some antibiotic ointment and a bandaid on it, and forget about it. If it didn't break the skin, there's nothing to worry about. By law, all pets must have an annual rabies shot. If the farm owner says they've been to the vet, then they had a rabies shot. The vet has to give them one.
Most diseases that cats can get aren't transferable to humans. Rabies would be an exception, except cats almost never get rabies. It's nearly unheard of. So you have nothing to worry about.
If you had been bitten by a stray or wild animal, that animal should be caught and tested for rabies (they would have to kill it to do that), or observe it for 10 days. If there was any reason to suspect it had rabies, you would have to undergo a series of shots to protect you from contracting it. These are given to you in the abdomen, and I hear are very painful.
By the way, the tetanus shot is irrelevant. That protects you if you get injured with rusty metal, like stepping on a rusty nail or something.
So, just relax. You're not going to get rabies, or anything. Take it easy.
2007-07-22 07:48:28 · answer #2 · answered by baymast13 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If it's possible ask the farm owner to show you the up to date papers on the cat to be sure he had his rabies shot. Although I must say most farms don't bother with the cats. Was the cat acting strange? Foaming, drooling, mangy matted fur? Tetenus shots won't stop rabies. But it sounds more like a welt or a hive. Just keep an eye on it but don't be paranoid either. Rabies is not very common.
2007-07-22 07:42:13 · answer #3 · answered by Zoozy 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The number of animals with rabies is very small, so there's not much to worry about. It was most likely a normal cat playing with you.
Washing should be ok. You shouldn't scare yourself like that. On a farm there's a bigger chance of getting something from the cow manure than from their dog or cat population.
Tetnus shots are nice, but they are to prevent lockjaw from stuff you get from injuries with metal. There is a couple of shots for rabies, but I doubt you'd need it.
Rabies makes an animal's throat so they can't swallow. Most suffer in silence and are not out and acting normal, they can foam (from not being able to swallow) and be panicked because of that (all the stories of animals going crazy come from this) but most animals with rabies are hiding, suffering in silence till they die from it because they can't eat or drink.
If you're really worried, call the DNR for your state and ask about the incidense of rabies cases in the county you were in for this year. Their phone number will be in the white pages of the phone book under the Government section. DNR stands for Department of Natural Resources. They keep records of the cases by county.
2007-07-22 08:47:46 · answer #4 · answered by Elaine M 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
How do people become exposed to rabies?
Since the rabies virus lives in the saliva of rabid animals, a bite is the most common way the disease is spread. People may also become exposed to rabies by being scratched by a rabid animal or when the saliva gets into open wounds in the skin, or in the eyes, nose, or mouth.
Can I get rabies just by touching or petting a rabid animal? (I wasn't scratched or bitten by it.)
There is no danger from touching or petting a rabid animal unless saliva from that animal gets into an open wound, or your eyes, nose or mouth. If this happens, you should see your doctor immediately.
You probably are safe but if you are worried it might not hurt to go to the doctor.
2007-07-22 07:38:29 · answer #5 · answered by Duane M 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Don't worry cat rarely get rabies and if was a pet and is up to date on it's shoots don't worry.And if you've had a tetanus shot your covered for that too. just relax.
2007-07-22 07:38:25 · answer #6 · answered by shawns bonnie 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If the cats vaccinations are up to date, the cat is a pet and it didn't break the skin, it sounds like you will be fine.
2007-07-22 08:01:43 · answer #7 · answered by Laurie 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Cats rarely contract Rabies and if they've had their shots, there is no way you could get it.
2007-07-22 07:30:22 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋