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Suggest Treatment For Cat Scratch
Question: my son who is 35 was scratched by a cat - he washed the wound with running water and then soap. He went to get the anti-rabies vaccination today (three days after the scratch). The doctor said it was late to do this but gave him the first injection and he will have 4 more. Is he still at risk of rabies becaus he did not go straight away?
Brief Answer:
Suggestions on cat scratch - Vaccine
Detailed Answer:
Rabies is usually more possible from unprovoked bites from rabid animals especially dogs. Will suggest some things which keep your mind at peace-
1. Assess whether it us a provoked or scratch from the cat? That is think if the cat had scratched after it was irritated for some reason like being hungry or being pregnant or a lactating cat feeding kitten etc.
2. If the cat is rabid it us unlikely to live more than 10 days from now... So keep a track of that particular cat & if its alive after 10 days.... Be rest assured that nothing is going to happen.
3. Washing with running water and soap was an excellent & medically approved first aid after the scratch... Don't worry.
4. What the Dr said is theoretically & technically correct, but it might not be a rabid animal at all.
I suggest your son to complete the all 6 vaccine shots in the schedule, being 0,3,7,14,28 & 90 days shots.
Kindly get back with answer to my question number 1, so that I will be in a better position to reassure you.
I am happy to help anytime. Further clarifications on this website are welcome.
Regards - Dr. Sumanth.
Suggestions on cat scratch - Vaccine
Detailed Answer:
Rabies is usually more possible from unprovoked bites from rabid animals especially dogs. Will suggest some things which keep your mind at peace-
1. Assess whether it us a provoked or scratch from the cat? That is think if the cat had scratched after it was irritated for some reason like being hungry or being pregnant or a lactating cat feeding kitten etc.
2. If the cat is rabid it us unlikely to live more than 10 days from now... So keep a track of that particular cat & if its alive after 10 days.... Be rest assured that nothing is going to happen.
3. Washing with running water and soap was an excellent & medically approved first aid after the scratch... Don't worry.
4. What the Dr said is theoretically & technically correct, but it might not be a rabid animal at all.
I suggest your son to complete the all 6 vaccine shots in the schedule, being 0,3,7,14,28 & 90 days shots.
Kindly get back with answer to my question number 1, so that I will be in a better position to reassure you.
I am happy to help anytime. Further clarifications on this website are welcome.
Regards - Dr. Sumanth.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you for your reply which has helped to allay our fears.
Reply about Question 1. My son said the kitten was being attacked by a bigger cat so he picked the kitten up and took him into his house but the kitten was scared and tried to get away - he scratched my son's arm with his back leg when it was wriggling to get out of the houe. So it was clearly a provoked scratch from the kitten. It is a stray kitten but it has been seen around the complex where my son lives for the past few days.
Reply about Question 1. My son said the kitten was being attacked by a bigger cat so he picked the kitten up and took him into his house but the kitten was scared and tried to get away - he scratched my son's arm with his back leg when it was wriggling to get out of the houe. So it was clearly a provoked scratch from the kitten. It is a stray kitten but it has been seen around the complex where my son lives for the past few days.
Brief Answer:
No need to be alarmed
Detailed Answer:
Hi.... You need not be alarmed. It's surely a provoked bite as the kitten was scared to death and it didn't realize that it was being rescued. I suggest your son to complete the schedule as suggested by me....its 0, 3, 7, 14, 28 & 90 days.
Regards - Dr. Sumanth
No need to be alarmed
Detailed Answer:
Hi.... You need not be alarmed. It's surely a provoked bite as the kitten was scared to death and it didn't realize that it was being rescued. I suggest your son to complete the schedule as suggested by me....its 0, 3, 7, 14, 28 & 90 days.
Regards - Dr. Sumanth
Note: For further queries related to your child health, Talk to a Pediatrician. Click here to Book a Consultation.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
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