Anyone Ever Have To Get Rabies Shot?

Sapphiregal · ‎04-08-2019

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?

Dogs are God's most perfect creatures. Angels here on earth to teach us to be better humans.

OKPrincess · ‎03-10-2013

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.) 🥹🥹

Kachina624 · ‎03-10-2010

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.

New Mexico☀️Land Of Enchantment

colleena · ‎03-27-2010

@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.

mspatmac · ‎06-10-2015

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

San Antonio Gal · ‎05-18-2017

@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.

Sapphiregal · ‎04-08-2019

@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!😄😄😄😄

Dogs are God's most perfect creatures. Angels here on earth to teach us to be better humans.

BlueFinch · ‎08-31-2019

@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.

FancyPhillyshopper · ‎05-02-2017

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.).

cindyNC · ‎08-01-2019

@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.