HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

Get your health question answered instantly from our pool of 18000+ doctors from over 80 specialties
159 Doctors Online

By proceeding, I accept the Terms and Conditions

Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

HCM Blog Instant Access to Doctors
HCM BlogQuestions Answered
HCM Blog Satisfaction

Should A Person Bitten By A Vaccinated Kitten Still Take Anti-rabies Injections ?

Good day, I have a 5 month old Persian kitten who bit a neighbor just this week. I told my neighbor not to worry but he panicked and went to the hospital right away. He was advised to undergo 2 sets of anti- rabies vaccination (4 injections per set) 1st set on the 1st 14 days and the rest on the next 14 days (28 days total). My cat had it s complete set of vaccination when it turned 3 months (as advised by the Veterinarian) and is raised in doors, doesn t interact with other pets and is well taken care of from diet to grooming. I asked a second opinion from my Vet and I was advised that my neighbor should be okay since my pet had anti-rabies shots and he should clean the wound with soap & water. My neighbor who claimed was traumatized in his early childhood thought otherwise so we went to a Clinic (referred by my Vet) that administers vaccination for animal bites and we were told that even if a cat/dog has completed it s anti-rabies vaccination with the prescribed period, a person bitten will still have to undergo an anti-rabies shot at least 1 set (consists of 4 shots). I reasoned that would defeat the purpose of having your pet immunized it that will always be the case every time a pet scratches or bites someone accidentally. I told them I had pets before and I ve been bitten several times and I only had myself injected when I was bitten by a stray dog years ago. I also get scratches and bites when I bathe my cat twice a month which is inevitable. I need all advice I can get and clarification regarding the matter. My neighbor dared to advise me to cage my cat or to tie it even if it s inside our house. That is despite my reassurance that he ll be ok and I told him that he should always get second advice plus there s always Google. I guess the doctors advised only made his traumatic experience worse and I cannot afford to shoulder the expense each time this happens since there is no guaranteed way of immunizing a pet from rabies. By the way, I m from the Philippines where stray dogs are a common sight but that didn t stop me from being a responsible pet owner.
Thu, 12 Jan 2012
Report Abuse
General & Family Physician 's  Response
Hi,
You are 100%right with immunized dog there is least chance of having rabbied,but we can not take any chance as once the disease occurred there is no cure.
so best things is have vaccination done.
ok and take care.
I find this answer helpful

Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.
Disclaimer: These answers are for your information only and not intended to replace your relationship with your treating physician.
This is a short, free answer. For a more detailed, immediate answer, try our premium service [Sample answer]
Share on
 

Related questions you may be interested in


Recent questions on Vaccination


Loading Online Doctors....
Should A Person Bitten By A Vaccinated Kitten Still Take Anti-rabies Injections ?

Hi, You are 100%right with immunized dog there is least chance of having rabbied,but we can not take any chance as once the disease occurred there is no cure. so best things is have vaccination done. ok and take care.