Does Rabies Can Stay In Cats For Up To 4 Months Before Showing Signs?

Posted on Tue, 25 Oct 2022

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Tue, 25 Oct 2022 Answered on

Fri, 13 Sep 2024 Last reviewed on

Question : In September I was bitten by an unvaccinated outdoor kitten that is owned by my grandmother. I was told to monitor the animal for signs of rabies and if it did not develop signs in 10 days, then I would not need to get the rabies vaccine. The animal is doing fine and it has been over 30 days since the bite. I initially stopped worrying but then heard that rabies can stay in cats for up to 4 months before showing signs. Should I be worried?

Answered by Dr. Aaron Branch (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
After 10 days you do not need PEP.

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
That is correct that after 10 days, if the cat does not show signs of rabies, you do not need to get the rabies vaccine or immune globulin. The reason for this is that if after 10 days there are no signs of rabies, then there would be no reason to think that the kitten bit you because of rabies, and the chances of having rabies without any signs would be almost unheard of and is considered not to be enough of a risk to require PEP. So I would not be worried about this at all.

I hope that helps, please let me know if you have any other questions about that, and I would be glad to discuss it with you further.
thanks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Saisudha Kotla