HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

Get your health question answered instantly from our pool of 18000+ doctors from over 80 specialties
159 Doctors Online

By proceeding, I accept the Terms and Conditions

Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

HCM Blog Instant Access to Doctors
HCM BlogQuestions Answered
HCM Blog Satisfaction

Can Rabbies Be Contracted From Cat Bite?

I was bitten by my neighbors cat about 13 weeks ago on my arm. I went to emergency and got the suggested shots, but not the rabies shot. We observed the cat & it seem to be acting normal. I did get an infection in my right arm and my arm swelled about quite a bit, but then went away. I am now experiencing some dizziness and discomfort in my head (now & then); like vertigo. Is there any chance I could have contracted rabies, even though the cat seems calm and normal? I am 62 yrs. old,
5' 2", 123 lbs., in good health & I am allergic to cats (sneezing, throat itching, etc.)
Wed, 20 May 2015
Report Abuse
General & Family Physician 's  Response
Hello,

Welcome to Health Care Magic.

Thanks for writing.

I am Dr.Saddiq ul Abidin. I have read your question completely, I understand your concern and will try to help you in best way possible.

The post Exposure Prophylaxis of rabies depend upon the degree of exposure, and the prophylactic measures may vary from simple antirabies vaccines to the use of passive immunity, in the form of anti-rabies serum or immunoglobulins, but since rabies is a potentially fatal disease and its post exposure vaccination have shown to be having almost 99.9% efficacy, so normally doctors don't recommend taking chances, so even for trivial scratches the vaccinations are suggested quite often.

Also the history that, whether it was a provoked bite or spontaneously unprovoked incidence is very important, in case of stray dogs mostly. The kind of wound you inflicted is a category 2 wound, which needs rabies vaccination normally, without any need of antirabies serum. but since cat is rabies free as you have described, then need of vaccination declines.

But in your case, since cat is your nieghbors, and since you know the present status of the pet, then it must be, rabies free likely. Still it would be still encouraging if cat is available, it can be examined by a vet to reconfirm whether it has any signs and symptoms of rabies? I would also suggest you to ask your neighbor to get pet vaccinated, as it seems that he has been quite fond of keeping them.

Since incubation period of rabies varied from 2 weeks to as long as 6 years so 13 weeks can't exclude its possibility but had the cat been rabid and prone to spread infections that would have meant a progressive disease and in that case it would not have been alive and healthy uptill now.

The dizziness can be entirely different entity and you need to do a thorough check up for that with your local doctor. Also share all the details of previous incidence with him so that he can assess you in every regard with labs and clinical examination.

I hope this answered your question.If you have more queries I am happy to answer.Otherwise rate before closing the discussion

Regrads.

Dr.Saddiq ul Abidin
M.B.B.S(Licensed Family Physician)
Resident Medicine.

In future get yopurself vaccinated.
I find this answer helpful

Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..
Disclaimer: These answers are for your information only and not intended to replace your relationship with your treating physician.
This is a short, free answer. For a more detailed, immediate answer, try our premium service [Sample answer]
Share on
 

Related questions you may be interested in


Recent questions on Zoonoses


Loading Online Doctors....
Can Rabbies Be Contracted From Cat Bite?

Hello, Welcome to Health Care Magic. Thanks for writing. I am Dr.Saddiq ul Abidin. I have read your question completely, I understand your concern and will try to help you in best way possible. The post Exposure Prophylaxis of rabies depend upon the degree of exposure, and the prophylactic measures may vary from simple antirabies vaccines to the use of passive immunity, in the form of anti-rabies serum or immunoglobulins, but since rabies is a potentially fatal disease and its post exposure vaccination have shown to be having almost 99.9% efficacy, so normally doctors don t recommend taking chances, so even for trivial scratches the vaccinations are suggested quite often. Also the history that, whether it was a provoked bite or spontaneously unprovoked incidence is very important, in case of stray dogs mostly. The kind of wound you inflicted is a category 2 wound, which needs rabies vaccination normally, without any need of antirabies serum. but since cat is rabies free as you have described, then need of vaccination declines. But in your case, since cat is your nieghbors, and since you know the present status of the pet, then it must be, rabies free likely. Still it would be still encouraging if cat is available, it can be examined by a vet to reconfirm whether it has any signs and symptoms of rabies? I would also suggest you to ask your neighbor to get pet vaccinated, as it seems that he has been quite fond of keeping them. Since incubation period of rabies varied from 2 weeks to as long as 6 years so 13 weeks can t exclude its possibility but had the cat been rabid and prone to spread infections that would have meant a progressive disease and in that case it would not have been alive and healthy uptill now. The dizziness can be entirely different entity and you need to do a thorough check up for that with your local doctor. Also share all the details of previous incidence with him so that he can assess you in every regard with labs and clinical examination. I hope this answered your question.If you have more queries I am happy to answer.Otherwise rate before closing the discussion Regrads. Dr.Saddiq ul Abidin M.B.B.S(Licensed Family Physician) Resident Medicine. In future get yopurself vaccinated.