DH got bit by one of the barn cats today and is at the ER getting his rabies shots. Has anyone else had to get them, and what side affects did you experience?
I checked online and I always thought it was a series of 20 shots in the stomach. Well, apparently now it's only a series of 5 shots which is much better but I'm still worried because DH doesn't react well to a lot of medications due to other health problems.
A little bit of background...the barn cats are my MIL's (who lives up the road). For the most part, they are very well socialized and we take them in for shots and neutering/spaying when we can afford it. There isn't a free or low cost neuter/spay program around here. But they are well fed, have shelter in cold weather and we love them to death.
We used to live in my MIL's old farm house while we were waiting for our house to be built. During the winter we always had barn cats in the basement which was fine with us. We're still not sure how they were getting in, but we still put food and water in the basement for them. At least they had a warm place to go. Now, my MIL's brother and his wife are living there and they don't want cats in the basement, so DH went up to try to get the cat out. He was fine until they got to the top of the basement steps and their little yappy dog (which was caged....right beside the basement door
) started barking and freaked him out. He bit my husband's finger straight through....even through a glove! It bled like crazy.
He is the sweetest kitty! He's one of the original 3 kittens that first came around our house. When DH grills outside, all three of them are waiting for their treat. It's gotten to the point that we by an extra steak or make an extra hamburger just to feed the outside cats. This little bugger actually likes to sneak into the house when I let the dogs in and make himself at home for a while, filling his belly..warming up..then when he's ready he makes it known that he want's to go back outside.
The thing is, MIL doesn't remember if he is one of the ones that actually got their shots. She had a bunch of barn cats vaccinated by a vet when he came out to look at one of her goats a year ago. All she had to pay for was the actual vaccine, which saved a LOT of money. But, most of the barn cats don't really have names and there are 3 "orange" tabbies that got vaccinated, but there are more than that running around here.
I'm just afraid, since DH went to the ER, that animal control is going to come and try to take him...or all of them. I know the only way to test for rabies is to put the animal down and basically cut it's head off. I'm sure this kitty doesn't have rabies. DH is planning on telling them the cat ran off into the woods, which he did. Of course he WON'T tell them he was sitting on my porch waiting for breakfast 30 minutes later.
I'm sorry, I didn't realize this post would be so long. I'm just a little upset. I know DH is going to be fine, but I really don't want to have anyone come and take my outdoor kitties. Thank you for letting me vent.
I checked online and I always thought it was a series of 20 shots in the stomach. Well, apparently now it's only a series of 5 shots which is much better but I'm still worried because DH doesn't react well to a lot of medications due to other health problems.
A little bit of background...the barn cats are my MIL's (who lives up the road). For the most part, they are very well socialized and we take them in for shots and neutering/spaying when we can afford it. There isn't a free or low cost neuter/spay program around here. But they are well fed, have shelter in cold weather and we love them to death.
We used to live in my MIL's old farm house while we were waiting for our house to be built. During the winter we always had barn cats in the basement which was fine with us. We're still not sure how they were getting in, but we still put food and water in the basement for them. At least they had a warm place to go. Now, my MIL's brother and his wife are living there and they don't want cats in the basement, so DH went up to try to get the cat out. He was fine until they got to the top of the basement steps and their little yappy dog (which was caged....right beside the basement door
He is the sweetest kitty! He's one of the original 3 kittens that first came around our house. When DH grills outside, all three of them are waiting for their treat. It's gotten to the point that we by an extra steak or make an extra hamburger just to feed the outside cats. This little bugger actually likes to sneak into the house when I let the dogs in and make himself at home for a while, filling his belly..warming up..then when he's ready he makes it known that he want's to go back outside.
The thing is, MIL doesn't remember if he is one of the ones that actually got their shots. She had a bunch of barn cats vaccinated by a vet when he came out to look at one of her goats a year ago. All she had to pay for was the actual vaccine, which saved a LOT of money. But, most of the barn cats don't really have names and there are 3 "orange" tabbies that got vaccinated, but there are more than that running around here.
I'm just afraid, since DH went to the ER, that animal control is going to come and try to take him...or all of them. I know the only way to test for rabies is to put the animal down and basically cut it's head off. I'm sure this kitty doesn't have rabies. DH is planning on telling them the cat ran off into the woods, which he did. Of course he WON'T tell them he was sitting on my porch waiting for breakfast 30 minutes later.
I'm sorry, I didn't realize this post would be so long. I'm just a little upset. I know DH is going to be fine, but I really don't want to have anyone come and take my outdoor kitties. Thank you for letting me vent.