A stray cat scratched me will I get rabies?

Question

I read all the rabies questions on yahoo answers already but i'm still worried about recieving rabies because I saw the cat lick it's paw and I figured that the claws would get soaked in it's salvia, which carried the virus. It doesn't have foam in the mouth and wasn't vicious ( it clawed me because i tried to take back the food i gave it) I'm constantly feeding it so it would stay so I can observe it for rabies symptoms
My health care insurance expired the day I recieved the scratch also
Does anyone know how much a rabies shot is?

Answer 1

Call the local Animal Control authority (here in California, they're run by the county). They can impound the animal and observe it. Since rabies is ONLY transmittable in it's final, pre-death, stage, if the animal is well for about 10 days (or so; I forget the exact number) after the bite/scratch, they'll be able to tell you that the animal was NOT in the transmittable stage at the time that you were injured.

If, on the other hand, the animal gets sick and dies during observation, they will help you get the rabies shots. Rabies vaccination within a couple of weeks of the injury will prevent the development of rabies 100% of the time (it's a very slow moving virus)... that's why this observation strategy works very well. Good luck!

Answer 2

You are not at high risk for rabies. You are more likely to get a bacterial infection, as cats' claws can be very dirty. (I have 9 cats.) I have been scratched and bitten many times by tame and wild cats.

The post-exposure rabies treatment for humans usually consists of five injections given over the course of a month. However, only a healthcare professional (not a veterinarian) can evaluate your situation and determine whether you need to be treated. The cost of the treatment will also vary from physician to physician.

The possibility of the cat having rabies may depend on your geographical location. This data from the CDC http://www.cdc.gov/rabies/docs/rabies_surveillance_us_2006.pdf includes a table listing rabies statistics for 2006 (the latest year available). You will see that raccoons are the animal most likely to be infected with rabies.

You don't mention when you were scratched and how you treated the scratch. Wounds like this should be allowed to bleed somewhat, then washed with soap and warm water. I know your health insurance has expired, but you may want to consider seeing a physician anyway, even if it's just for your own peace of mind.

Answer 3

I would not so much be worried about rabies as I would an infection. I just got bit by a cat about a month ago on my wrist right below my thumb. By 2 days later, my hand and wrist were swollen and red and the pain (as hard as it might be to believe) was horrible. I only had one tooth wound and a few small scratches. I ended up going to the ER and the doctor told me I was lucky to come in when I did because I was already getting a horrible infection and it was just going to get alot worse. He gave me 3 weeks worth of antibiotics to take and they cleared it up. So, if you start to swell or turn red or it starts to feel warm I would definetely go get the antibiotics. The rabies, however, I wouldn't worry too much about because you've been around the cat and have watched for signs of it. Good luck.

Answer 4

Why were you trying to take the food back? no wonder it clawed you!
I have never seen a cat with Rabies but I believe by all accounts if it were rabid you would likely know about it.
Go speak to a medical centre or doctor to be on teh safe side.

Answer 5

I don't know how much the shot costs, but you might ask a veterinarian where to get it and for how much, as I believe they're required to have it. I do know that you have a short window of time to get it after initial exposure, or it won't work. I'd recommend getting it, just to be on the safe side.

Answer 6

Highly doubtful

Answer 7

Go get a shot. ^j^ ....do not worry about cost here worry about you.