Are we over-reacting about rabies?

C

Cricket

Guest
An older woman in our bible study told us that she was driving on a country road at night 10 days ago and saw what she thought was a kitten in the middle of the deserted road, so she got out of her car and went to see if the kitten was ok. As she got closer she said she saw that it was a full grown cat and when she went to pet it it attack her and dug into her skin with it's claws, causing her to bleed in several areas. She backed off and ran to her car but the cat ran afte her jumped her and attacked her again , causing more skins cuts. The woman got into her car and closed the door, seeing that the cat went back to the same spot in the road and laid down. She never went to the doctor's for shots for rabies, saying that she felt fine a few days later! We tried to tell her that cats don't act this way, that normally they would run away, not come after you and that this cat may have rabies. She has sluffed it off as us being over-reacting. She just doesn't understand that symptoms don't come right away, but she feels she is fine. Are we over-reacting or making more of it than we shoud? If it was me, I would be in the doc's office the next morning!
 
L

lady-bug

Guest
I'm not sure, but I think you have to be bitten to get rabies. Maybe I'm wrong.

I would agree with you. Either the cat is tame and friendly or runs away in fear. That sure sounds like strange behavior for a cat. Rabid wild animals are either aggressive or uncharacteristically friendly (as in not being fearful of humans).

Rabies bites are deadly, but if treated right away, can be reversed. It is not something to take lightly. Then again, it is not very common, I don't think.
 
M

mail-girl

Guest
from the CDC website

www.cdc.gov/rabies

How do people get rabies?

People usually get get rabies from the bite of a rabid animal. It is also possible, but quite rare, that people may get rabies if infectious material from a rabid animal, such as saliva, gets directly into their eyes, nose, mouth, or a wound.



Can I get rabies in any way other than an animal bite?

Non-bite exposures to rabies are very rare. Scratches, abrasions, open wounds, or mucous membranes contaminated with saliva or other potentially infectious material (such as brain tissue) from a rabid animal constitute non-bite exposures. Occasionally reports of non-bite exposure are such that postexposure prophylaxis is given.

Inhalation of aerosolized rabies virus is also a potential non-bite route of exposure, but other than laboratory workers, most people are unlikely to encounter an aerosol of rabies virus.

Other contact, such as petting a rabid animal or contact with the blood, urine or feces (e.g., guano) of a rabid animal, does not constitute an exposure and is not an indication for prophylaxis.



How soon after an exposure should I seek medical attention?

Medical assistance should be obtained as soon as possible after an exposure. There have been no vaccine failures in the United States (i.e., someone developed rabies) when postexposure prophylaxis (PEP) was given promptly and appropriately after an exposure.



What medical attention do I need if I am exposed to rabies?

One of the most effective methods to decrease the chances for infection involves thorough washing of the wound with soap and water. Specific medical attention for someone exposed to rabies is called postexposure prophylaxis or PEP. In the United States, postexposure prophylaxis consists of a regimen of one dose of immune globulin and five doses of rabies vaccine over a 28-day period. Rabies immune globulin and the first dose of rabies vaccine should be given by your health care provider as soon as possible after exposure. Additional doses or rabies vaccine should be given on days 3, 7, 14, and 28 after the first vaccination. Current vaccines are relatively painless and are given in your arm, like a flu or tetanus vaccine.


I would've went to my doctor just to be safe!=COOL
 
E

elliottsmama

Guest
After being bit by my own cat and having emergency room treatment and still getting a very very bad infection, I would not walk but run to the doctors. Cats are on of the most dangerous germ carriers.
 
C

conniecat

Guest
Unless the cat was protecting something, that is very strange behavior. I would at least give a doctor a call.
 
C

Cruise cutie

Guest
she will more than likely get cat scratch fever, and as Cindy said..it's not to be messed with.. sigh..I had it 15 years ago..:(.. and I had to get a tetanus update too!!..I dragged myself to the MD which is quite a joke as I'm a nurse, and they put me on a full regime of ABX.. my arm swelled up and a huge red streak was up the full length.. if she has any question she should be checked, those cat attacks are viscious.. and suspectful.. just pray she does not get a delayed one like me.. what a mess!! it sure learned me!!..:thumb.. take care..Joanne
 
Top