Cat caught a chipmunk - vet visit necessary?

ty3535

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Enzo has an outdoor cat enclosure that has fencing around the perimeter, so chipmunks have been squeaking through. He got ahold of a poor one today, and I'm sad to say it didn't make it. There was visible blood on the chipmunk so I'm nearly positive some had to have ended up in Enzo's mouth as he insisted on carrying it around until I could get it free. I'm wondering whether or not this requires a trip to the vet?
 

catomight

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In general (almost nothing's 100%) squirrels, chipmunks aren't known for carrying rabies - AFAIK, though you could do basic search. (chipmonks wear little caps)
Sometimes, state health depts or other - have available info on any recent reports of rabies or other serious issues that may affect public health. Either online or by phone.
Personally, I've never heard of rabid squirrel.

They & other rodents - incl. rabbits - can carry fleas w/ the plague - rare in the US, so don't freak out. I don't know how transmittable that is between rodents & prey animals.
Rarely have I heard over many, many.... decades of animals / humans getting sick from catching / eating squirrels.

Has Enzo been rabies vaccinated, just in case? The vaccinations supposedly don't last forever (have different ones they give). SINCE he's exposed to outdoors, may want to research the best rabies vaccines - least side effects in cats. Maybe mfgs, types? - not sure, if some have better "track record" - just thinking. Don't know how large the wire opening is, but he might contact other animals in the future, unless you put smaller opening "hardware cloth" over it.

One source of info would be sites on ground squirrels, chipmunks, etc. May also depend on your area, time of yr, etc., how common any diseases are.
Local zoos or large metro zoo websites may have info on chipmunks or contact where you could ask.
 
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ty3535

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Great ideas, thank you so much. He does have a recent rabies vaccine. I didn't think about fleas, and I keep forgetting to put the flea and tick meds on him, so I'll have to watch out for that. I feel better, thanks so much again!
 
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