topic Re: Anyone Ever Have To Get Rabies Shot? in Wellness

Anyone Ever Have To Get Rabies Shot?

Sapphiregal — Tue, 11 Oct 2022 02:07:12 GMT

I've been feeding a little stray cat for at least 3 months. He comes around every night to eat and then leaves. I always just set a bowl of food down and walk away. At first, he was very skittish and would not approach the bowl until I got far away. Now, he is used to me and starts walking toward me as I set the bowl down. Last night one of his teeth scraped my finger - not a bit. I felt it, but, there was no puncture and no blood. Just a scrape.

Ok...I really don't think he has rabies, but, I still think I should probably get the shot to be safe.

I just wondered if anyone has had to get the shot and if so, were there any side effects?

Re: Anyone Ever Have To Get Rabies Shot?

OKPrincess — Tue, 11 Oct 2022 02:23:01 GMT

I know things have changed through the years but my siblings and I plus my great uncle had the shots back in the 60's. We were still living in Houston at the time.

when a person was in contact with a rabid animal, we immediately had to take 14 shots in the stomach.

The hunting dog and the outside cats were put down (shot). It was an awful time.

I don't remember my age but I am going to say 10 or 11.

In answer to your question, we didn't have side effects that I know of.

(I mentioned this in an earlier post when we were discussing Old Yeller.) 🥹🥹

Re: Anyone Ever Have To Get Rabies Shot?

Kachina624 — Tue, 11 Oct 2022 02:26:13 GMT

As I understand it, its not a shot, its a series of shots and they're rather painful. I'd call.my doctor and seek his advice. I wouldn't be too concerned if the cat was not acting eratic in some manner. Also, I think your tissue would have to be exposed to his saliva as in a puncture, scrape or bite.

Re: Anyone Ever Have To Get Rabies Shot?

colleena — Tue, 11 Oct 2022 02:27:47 GMT

@Sapphiregal My mom had an older garage & come to find out possums lived in the rafters, she had no idea, anyway, one night I was checking something she wanted me to check out there & got bit by one. So I had to get a series of rabies shots, not fun at all but my doctor said I needed to so I did. I'm trying to remember how we got rid of those darn things but glad we did as would have hated if they did something to her.

Re: Anyone Ever Have To Get Rabies Shot?

mspatmac — Tue, 11 Oct 2022 02:49:17 GMT

To ease your mind @Sapphiregal it might be best to contact your doctor. Best to be safe than sorry.

Re: Anyone Ever Have To Get Rabies Shot?

San Antonio Gal — Tue, 11 Oct 2022 03:28:19 GMT

@Kachina624 wrote:
As I understand it, its not a shot, its a series of shots and they're rather painful. I'd call.my doctor and seek his advice. I wouldn't be too concerned if the cat was not acting eratic in some manner. Also, I think your tissue would have to be exposed to his saliva as in a puncture, scrape or bite.

The skin didn't break and the cat is not acting erratic so I don't think you have a thing to worry about. However, call doc for advice. So glad you're taking care of this cat.

Re: Anyone Ever Have To Get Rabies Shot?

Sapphiregal — Tue, 11 Oct 2022 05:52:08 GMT

@San Antonio Gal wrote:
@Kachina624 wrote:
As I understand it, its not a shot, its a series of shots and they're rather painful. I'd call.my doctor and seek his advice. I wouldn't be too concerned if the cat was not acting eratic in some manner. Also, I think your tissue would have to be exposed to his saliva as in a puncture, scrape or bite.
The skin didn't break and the cat is not acting erratic so I don't think you have a thing to worry about. However, call doc for advice. So glad you're taking care of this cat.

@San Antonio Gal

I've never been a cat person - just dogs all my life, but, I care a lot about animals and don't want any to be hungry or suffer. This little cat, though, has kind of grown on me. He talks to me a lot, which makes me laugh. I always say " hi, kitty, how are you today"?.He answers with a "meow". As long as I talk to him, he just keeps meowing! So funny!😄😄😄😄

Re: Anyone Ever Have To Get Rabies Shot?

BlueFinch — Tue, 11 Oct 2022 07:23:06 GMT

@Sapphiregal You might want to check online for stats regarding human transmission of rabies by cats, including feral cats. It seems there hasn't been a case in decades, although the growing numbers of feral cats is feared to create a problem, particularly if they have a colony where there are raccoons. I would think skunks, as well. These are primary carriers.

Unlike years ago, now a rabies series is usually 5 shots in the arm, no longer up to 30 very painful injects. So the treatment has improved. As with all vaccines, side effects will vary by individuals. I've known a few people to take the series without significant side effects, but it's an unpleasant ordeal with so many injects. One was a doctor neighbor who rescued a litter of baby skunks that began to get sick. He took them to the vet and they were believed to have rabies. The doc and his entire family had to be vaccinated. That was a mess.

I doubt your visiting cat has rabies, or that you have anything to worry about, but you should still call your doctor for advice for peace of mind.

I'm not sure, but I think if you have a rabies series, and you have another exposure, anytime afterwards, you don't have to take the entire series again, just a couple of boosters.

Let us know what the doc says. And, continue to enjoy this feral cat that seems to be warming up to you.

Re: Anyone Ever Have To Get Rabies Shot?

FancyPhillyshopper — Tue, 11 Oct 2022 07:25:19 GMT

I believe your skin must be broken for the rabies disease to transmit into your system. But, you may want to seek medical advice.

Without treatment, rabies is often fatal for humans.

Getting the shot sequence is onerous!

Perhaps you should consider wearing gloves.

It is nice that you care about the cat, but just giving out food is not enough. Outdoor cats have a low survival rate.

For your safety and peace of mind, and for the cat's welfare and ability to survive, you should capture that cat and take it to the vet and get it checked out and make sure it gets a rabies shot!! The vet can also run tests to see if the cat has any diseases.

If you cannot adopt it and let it become a pet and an inside cat, perhaps someone else can.

(How to capture it--put the food inside a pet carrier, and when it enters, close the door.).

Re: Anyone Ever Have To Get Rabies Shot?

cindyNC — Tue, 11 Oct 2022 11:09:01 GMT

@Sapphiregal I used to work for a grant program in NYS and we provided "pre-exposure" rabies shots to veterinarians and their staff when it was mandated by NYS Health Dept.

These were different from "post exposure". They were in the arm, on days 0, 14, 21 or 28.......then a titer (blood draw) to see if the body had developed antibodies against the virus. We had one vet and technician come back after they had been exposed to a rabid horse......they received a booster injection in the arm.

Don't know if anything like this is available to you or if it's something you might consider if you may be exposed to rabid animals. Since it's a preventive injection, might not be covered by insurance.

I have no clue what treatment is now available if you have been exposed without a preventive vaccination.

Re: Anyone Ever Have To Get Rabies Shot?

Skyegirl21 — Tue, 11 Oct 2022 11:28:38 GMT

I agree you are probably fine, but call a medical pro anyway- I saw a Monsters Inside Me episode where a teen got rabies from a cat bite and it was unbelievable, the effects of that infection.
There are other infections that people can get from feral animals (ie, cat-scratch fever) so do be careful. 💝

Re: Anyone Ever Have To Get Rabies Shot?

Eileen in Virginia — Tue, 11 Oct 2022 12:46:28 GMT

DS was "nipped" on his calf by a Rottweiler in a local park last summer. It broke his skin and we couldn't locate the dog or its owner to see if it had been vaccinated, so DS was advised to get the rabies shots. He got a series of shots, beginning with some surrounding the bite and one each in his hip and upper arm. Then, he got 2 or 3 more shots in the arm at about a weekly interval. He said the initial shots weren't a piece of cake, but they weren't that bad, either. He had to get his shots in the emergency room, since most doctors don't keep the vaccine on hand. After his first session, they told him to say he was there for his rabies shot and they took him right in.

Definitely consult with your doctor about the advisability of getting the shots. Although we live in the suburbs, we have foxes, raccoons, coyotes and all kinds of other "wildlife" traipsing through our yard on a regular basis. If your neighborhood is anything like ours, that kitten could have been exposed to a rabid animal. Our takeaway from this experience was that the shots aren't as bad as the horror stories you hear AND that they do not automatically euthanize the offending animal. In our City, if the owner can't show proof of vaccination, they quarantine the animal for 2 weeks. If it shows rabies symptoms, they euthanize it. If not, they vaccinate it and return it to its owner with a bill for the vaccination and kennel services. Finally, the vaccination provides protection for 3 years. Good luck!

Re: Anyone Ever Have To Get Rabies Shot?

Krimpette — Tue, 11 Oct 2022 13:02:15 GMT

A friend of mine feeds a couple of feral cats in Baltimore. She's gotten scratched a couple of time, to the point of drawing blood. Mostly, she's treated herself at home. But a recent scratch seemed much worse that previous ones. She went to an urgent care facility and they put her on antiibiotics.

Re: Anyone Ever Have To Get Rabies Shot?

lynne6was7 — Tue, 11 Oct 2022 16:23:08 GMT

If he didn't break the skin and draw blood, you are probably OK. But, to put your mind at ease, contact your doctor. If the doctor says to proceed with rabies shots, be sure to get pre-approval from your insurance company. The cost could be $6,000 plus or minus.

Also, know that if you see your doctor, they will have to report it to the health department. If the cat can be captured, they will do so. I do not know the protocol for monitoring the cat once it's captured. Anyone?

Three years ago, I approached a friendly orange kitty in my yard. I was petting him and he was purring, and then he suddenly grabbed my head with both front paws and bit me under the chin. I think either a bird flew behind me, or he saw his reflection in my glasses and it startled him. I asked on NextDoor to see if he belonged to someone who could provide proof of rabies vacciination, and no one indicated that he belonged to them.

I had to have a series of shots. First, they give you a gamma globulin injection in your upper thigh. That is the expensive devil. Then you get a rabies vaccination, and you have to go back 2-3 times for additional shots. I believe it took me a month to complete the series.

Re: Anyone Ever Have To Get Rabies Shot?

Puppy Lips — Tue, 11 Oct 2022 17:03:58 GMT

@Sapphiregal wrote:
@San Antonio Gal wrote:
@Kachina624 wrote:
As I understand it, its not a shot, its a series of shots and they're rather painful. I'd call.my doctor and seek his advice. I wouldn't be too concerned if the cat was not acting eratic in some manner. Also, I think your tissue would have to be exposed to his saliva as in a puncture, scrape or bite.
The skin didn't break and the cat is not acting erratic so I don't think you have a thing to worry about. However, call doc for advice. So glad you're taking care of this cat.
@San Antonio Gal

I've never been a cat person - just dogs all my life, but, I care a lot about animals and don't want any to be hungry or suffer. This little cat, though, has kind of grown on me. He talks to me a lot, which makes me laugh. I always say " hi, kitty, how are you today"?.He answers with a "meow". As long as I talk to him, he just keeps meowing! So funny!😄😄😄😄

@Sapphiregal I have never been a "cat" person either. Just dogs for me. I do love all animals, but frankly, I don't think I would put myself in a position where I could possibly get rabies and have to pay for all those shots. Once you start feeding it, you can bet it will come back if it has no place else to go. I would gladly try to capture it and hand it over to an animal shelter though. What I don't get is why cats just roam around outside. If they are someone's pet, why don't they get them fixed keep them inside? Or are there a bunch of feral cats that breed and then the kitties are on their own? And if you do have a pet cat that you take care of, and let it run free, aren't the owners worried it will get run over by a car? I guess I just don't get cats or cat people.

Re: Anyone Ever Have To Get Rabies Shot?

Sapphiregal — Tue, 11 Oct 2022 17:49:10 GMT

@lynne6was7 wrote:
If he didn't break the skin and draw blood, you are probably OK. But, to put your mind at ease, contact your doctor. If the doctor says to proceed with rabies shots, be sure to get pre-approval from your insurance company. The cost could be $6,000 plus or minus.

Also, know that if you see your doctor, they will have to report it to the health department. If the cat can be captured, they will do so. I do not know the protocol for monitoring the cat once it's captured. Anyone?

Three years ago, I approached a friendly orange kitty in my yard. I was petting him and he was purring, and then he suddenly grabbed my head with both front paws and bit me under the chin. I think either a bird flew behind me, or he saw his reflection in my glasses and it startled him. I asked on NextDoor to see if he belonged to someone who could provide proof of rabies vacciination, and no one indicated that he belonged to them.

I had to have a series of shots. First, they give you a gamma globulin injection in your upper thigh. That is the expensive devil. Then you get a rabies vaccination, and you have to go back 2-3 times for additional shots. I believe it took me a month to complete the series.

@lynne6was7

I am baffled as to why insurance would require pre approval for payment. That's outrageous!

Re: Anyone Ever Have To Get Rabies Shot?

chickenbutt — Tue, 11 Oct 2022 18:41:39 GMT

I've never had a rabies shot, but I remember being terrified of the notion as a child. The mother would tell us about how they take a GINORMOUS needle and poke it way into your stomach. I mean, seriously - this needle was way way huge. Not just kind of a large needle. The picture in my mind is terrifying and it's probably why I was always scared of needles. I pretty much got over that (although I won't look when I'm getting a shot!).

I don't even know if any of that is/was true, but it was terrifying and I always thought of it when I saw a skunk or another animal who we were told could have rabies.

Bottom line - I hope you are ok either way and don't end up sick. Chances probably are pretty good that there is no rabies. That's my hope!

Re: Anyone Ever Have To Get Rabies Shot?

lynne6was7 — Tue, 11 Oct 2022 18:42:11 GMT

@Sapphiregal I don't think that your insurance will require pre-approval for payment. I'm just cautioning you to make sure your insurance policy will cover it because you don't want to end up responsible for the full cost. The full cost on my insurance explanation of benefits listed $6,000. Not the kind of unexpected bill anyone would want to receive.

Re: Anyone Ever Have To Get Rabies Shot?

debfau — Tue, 11 Oct 2022 19:05:07 GMT

@lynne6was7 wrote:
If he didn't break the skin and draw blood, you are probably OK. But, to put your mind at ease, contact your doctor. If the doctor says to proceed with rabies shots, be sure to get pre-approval from your insurance company. The cost could be $6,000 plus or minus.

Also, know that if you see your doctor, they will have to report it to the health department. If the cat can be captured, they will do so. I do not know the protocol for monitoring the cat once it's captured. Anyone?

Three years ago, I approached a friendly orange kitty in my yard. I was petting him and he was purring, and then he suddenly grabbed my head with both front paws and bit me under the chin. I think either a bird flew behind me, or he saw his reflection in my glasses and it startled him. I asked on NextDoor to see if he belonged to someone who could provide proof of rabies vacciination, and no one indicated that he belonged to them.

I had to have a series of shots. First, they give you a gamma globulin injection in your upper thigh. That is the expensive devil. Then you get a rabies vaccination, and you have to go back 2-3 times for additional shots. I believe it took me a month to complete the series.

The only way to check an animal for rabies is to euthanize it as Rabies can only be diagnosed by direct examination of the animal's brain.

Re: Anyone Ever Have To Get Rabies Shot?

Frenchlop — Tue, 11 Oct 2022 20:40:10 GMT

@Puppy Lips On Facebook there is always dogs and cats that are "lost". It makes you wonder how much they care about their pets.