Concerned about rabies

I was just reading about a lady that got bit by a stray. I was bit by a stray kitten today. I tried to pick it up. It bit me and scratched me. I went to the ER and they told me to watch it for 10 days. I am worried about rabies. The cat seems to be healthy and is nice to my cats. I have all my 6 baby cats all their shots, so I am not worried about them. I was just wondering what are the odd that this cat might have rabies? It is very concerning. 

maranda said:

 
I was just reading about a lady that got bit by a stray. I was bit by a stray kitten today. I tried to pick it up. It bit me and scratched me. I went to the ER and they told me to watch it for 10 days. I am worried about rabies. The cat seems to be healthy and is nice to my cats. I have all my 6 baby cats all their shots, so I am not worried about them. I was just wondering what are the odd that this cat might have rabies? It is very concerning. 

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The risk is very very low, as you describe it.  Im not saying absolute nil, but very low.  If you deem the kitten had a reason to defend himself - not actively attacking.

Anyways, for someone who is oftne working with homeless cats or rescers, its wise to take rabies vaccine as protection, beforehand.  Not because its really necessary, but for the peace of mind, to dare more.

In USA there is very few cases of rabies, and practically none from cats.

However, in the world as such,  poor and warm countries, there are about 40.000 cases a year - most often from stray dogs.

So, in these countries, rabies is a big manslaughter.

If it had been a raccoon, I might be worried. Keep the kitten isolated from your other cats for the 10 days and until it is vet checked. You have a bigger chance of infection than rabies, so watch the wound and if you see any redness or swelling, check with your doctor.

My husband was bitten by our cat when we first brought him in and we had to observe the 10 day quarantine, too. But we had to have the health department come to the house and certify the cat at the beginning and end. It was a mess.

But the entire procedure is designed to make sure rabies isn't as prevalent as it used to be. That has worked, too.

Good luck and please keep us posted.

I don't believe a person has gotten rabies from a cat in America for several decades--it's that rare. However, a bite can become infected if not cared for properly, so doctors usually prescribe a round of antibiotics in the case of a bad cat bite, which is essentially a puncture wound. Keep the wound clean and follow your doctor's instructions and you'll be fine. If your kitten had rabies, his behavior would be "off" and you'd have an idea there was something wrong with him.

I would advise against taking the kitten to a vet at this point and telling the vet he bit you. They have to follow certain regulations, and might insist on taking the kitten from you and quarantining him for much longer than 10 days, which would cause both of you unnecessary stress.  

Yeah, just keep an eye on him. If he were shedding the rabies virus in his saliva he'll be dead in 10 days or less. . .that's why they feel safe just telling you to watch him. I know someone who got bitten by a completely wild feral, and the doctors just said to see if he came to eat for at least the next 10 days, as long as he didn't die or disappear in that time she was safe. They've studied rabies for such a long time that they know how long it takes.