can i have a rabies in cat scratch?

[isaykiel]

I was scratched by our cat in my right plantar last week. I immediately gone to our health center and I was given a shot of tetanus toxoid and anti rabies, I had my second dose of anti rabies 2 days late of my schedule.. but before I had my second dose I already felt sick and I felt that my tonsils are swelling because its hard for me to swallow and eat and unfortunately I had a fever.. the nurse said that I should just take paracetamol for fever and I asked her if I was infected and she said no I wasnt, but I think the nurse is not sure on her answers.. should I be worried for rabies infection?  what should I do.. I was really upset and scared if I've been infected.. is it possible to have a rabies even if I had my anti rabies vaccination?  please be noted that I was delayed 2 days on my second dose of anti rabies, I was thinking if the delay of doses will affect my first anti rabies vaccine .. please help !!!!

[DLO95]

Hello, I also have a question related to this. I wasn't sure if wound is from a bite or scratch by a cat which isn't ours. My wound is about an inch long but isn't very deep. I got booster shot after 4 days already. Is it not too late to get a shot after 4 days? Btw, I already got an anti rabies for almost a year now and my wound isn't swollen already when I got a shot.

[MCRN05]

Hi. How are you doing now? Well I know my reply is kind of late but rabies through cats is NOT limited to cat bites. Therefore, scratches can also be a form of transmission of the virus. Remember that rabies are contained in the saliva, and cats DO LICK THEIR PAWS, which was then scratched to a skin tearing it, allowing the saliva, with the virus, to penetrate through the system.
If you were already vaccinated post-exposure. Also note that vaccines are live attenuated rabies virus, meaning, these are rabies virus that are WEAKENED. I wouldnt want to discuss medically. However, to explain this easily, this rabies vaccine do not cause rabies alone. Since this virus is already weakened. However, this does not take away the fact that vaccines contain the same virus, only weakned, which would mean, and this goes for all vaccines, you SHOULD NOT GET VACCINATED if your immune system is LOW or else symptoms of the virus will occur. Now, this does not mean you are already infected post vaccination. This is an adverse effect. So, before getting vaccinated make sure you are healthy, not in any form of illness, except that colds is fine pre-vaccination.
It's weird that the nurse did not explain this to you. Health education is important.
Be well.


Sincerely,
M.C
Registered Nurse

[joeven]

I have a question i was scratched in my left ear and im done to my 1st dose of anti rabies vaccine today. My doctor advice me to buy erig. Now my question is, is it ok not to buy dat drug even i completed my anti rabies vaccine.. Thank u for ur response.

[Tropa]

I was bit by my cat in my foot because..i step my foot in floor and my cat thought that my foot is food...and the wound have blood...it was so long time ago and nothing happen to me im little bit nervous..because my cat did not shot any rabies vaccine...Please reply :(

[CML2014]

Oh!  Well that is different. I still think you have to be bit--no just scratched.
A bite by a cat is a "Punture wound" it goes deep into the skin therefore the cat's saliva will work it's way into the bloodstream.

!st Iwould suggest you get to the doctor for your Strep throat---you need antibiotics.

2nd--I suggest you keep your in-laws cat (after you get it vaccinated) , since your in-laws don't care about it--boy that annoys me, sorry.

3rd--Relax--Your shots will handle any worry. The nurse has assured you also. Couple that with a diagnosis of Strep Throat from your doctor, and that pretty much covers it.

Rabies will rear it's ugly head within a 10 day window. So if your cat is not showing any signs , then you are in the clear for the cat having rabies.

P.S. If you cannot keep the cat and care for it ,please make sure it gets another home where someone will. Sorry , seems like I worry about the cat more, huh!--No- just that they deserve to be loved and cared for just like you and your in-laws.

Sincerely,
CML

[isaykiel]

i havr a question, could it be possible the rabies will still spread to your body even if you had your anti rabies vaccine?  anyway thank u so much for your immediate response, it actually ease my doubt..  I guess i was just over reacting because the symptomps of tonsilitis is close to some of rabies.. right now I have fever, headache because of tonsilitis..

[isaykiel]

the cat was not mine, it was owned by my in laws.. As far as I know the cat never gotten rabies vaccine because they dont care about the cat that much. I was worried because there are many times I saw their cat attacked by stray cat outside.. what if the cat that attacked my mother in law's cat could have rabies and transmit it to their cat?

[CML2014]

Hi Isaykiel,

Rabies is transmitted by the saliva. So if the cat did not bite you, no problem. Plus this is your cat, I think you would know if YOUR cat had rabies.Usually people only worry about rabies when they are bit by a strange cat .With a strange cat you have not been able to know if it is a feral or if the owner has gotten it vaccinated,so if Bitten you would immediately go for shots to be sure your protected until the cat can be quarantined for 10 days.


I think your fine, like the nurse said, She should know. Anyway don't let your imagination get to you or you will stress yourself into all kinds of symptoms.

Take care and keep us posted
  

[AnnieBrooke]

Oh, I just noticed that this is your cat.  Has your cat never gotten a rabies vaccine?  How is the cat behaving, do you think the cat is rabid?

[AnnieBrooke]

I believe you have to be bitten, not scratched, to get rabies from any animal.  And of course, the animal has to actually have rabies.  The nurse has medical training, if you think she is a bad nurse, ask another medical person.

[isaykiel]

the scratch is deep and it has blood