Regardless of age,
cat scratches
can mean more than just pain and temporary red or discolored marks. These wounds can sometimes sting, bleed, and even become infected Both feral and domesticated cats may also transmit certain viruses and bacteria when they scratch
human skin
.
Should I be worried if a stray cat scratched me?
animal bites
and scratches, even when they are minor, can become infected and spread bacteria to other parts of the body Whether the bite is from a family pet or an animal in the wild, scratches and bites can carry disease. Cat scratches, even from a kitten, can carry “cat scratch disease,” a bacterial infection.
Can I get rabies from a stray cat scratch?
Stray cats may come in contact with bats, raccoons and skunks which sometimes carry rabies. The rabies virus is in the saliva of a sick animal. Since cats “wash” themselves by putting saliva on their paws, then grooming their fur, cat scratches as well as cat bites may carry the rabies virus.
Do I need a tetanus shot for a cat scratch?
You may need a tetanus jab if the injury has broken your skin and your tetanus vaccinations aren’t up-to-date Tetanus is a serious but
rare condition
that can be fatal if untreated. The bacteria that can cause tetanus can enter your body through a wound or cut in your skin. They’re often found in soil and manure.
Do I need a rabies shot after a cat scratch?
Call your doctor if the bite or scratch broke or punctured the skin, even if the area is small. A child who is bitten by an animal may need antibiotics, a tetanus booster, or rarely, a series of rabies shots.
What to do when you get scratched by a stray cat?
Wash cat bites and scratches well with soap and running water Do not allow cats to lick your wounds. Contact your doctor if you develop any symptoms of cat scratch disease or infection.
Do stray cats carry rabies?
While it’s possible for feral cats to become infected with rabies, feral cat colonies themselves do not generally serve as a source of the disease “We see rabies more often in raccoons and bats than in the cat population,” says Roberta Lillich, DVM, president of the American Association of Feline Practitioners.
Do all cats carry cat scratch disease?
According to the CDC , around 40% of cats will carry the bacteria at some point in their lives – usually when they’re kittens – but it’s very rare that it’s fatal for both humans and cats. Keep reading to find out about cat-scratch fever symptoms, the possible causes and who’s most at risk for getting the disease.
Can you get rabies from a scratch?
People usually get rabies from the bite of a rabid animal. It is also possible, but rare, for people to get rabies from non-bite exposures, which can include scratches, abrasions, or open wounds that are exposed to saliva or other potentially infectious material from a rabid animal.
Do I need injection after cat scratch?
When these cats bite or scratch you, the clock starts to tick. “See a doctor within eight hours to cut your infection risk,” says emergency medicine physician Stephen Sayles III, MD. “ You may need intravenous, or through the vein, antibiotics or, in some cases, you may even need to be hospitalized”.
Can you get blood poisoning from a cat scratch?
Most often, a good cleaning and perhaps antibiotic ointment takes care of the wound but sometimes, these bites and scratches can result in a bacterial infection. Occasionally, these infections can trigger sepsis.
Should I put alcohol on a cat scratch?
Cleaning them with alcohol or hydrogen peroxide are okay the first time you clean it (and soap and water is plenty the first time, too) but you should never continue to clean a cut with alcohol or h.p. because they’re too strong and kill the new skin your body is producing to heal itself.
How do I know if a stray cat has rabies?
- Changes in behavior. Cats who are usually calm may become excitable or agitated
- Aggression. Cats can become excitable, aggressive, and vicious towards humans or other animals.
- Drooling. Rabies can affect muscles in a cat’s mouth so they can’t swallow
- Loss of muscle control.
Can a small scratch cause rabies?
While you get infected with rabies when bitten by an infected dog or cat, it can be just as fatal when a rabid dog or cat with saliva-infested nails—say, one that has been licking its paws— scratches a human. Although it is highly unlikely to contract rabies from a scratch, it can still happen.
How common is rabies in stray cats?
Rabies in cats is extremely rare According to the CDC, domestic animals, including pets, accounted for only 7.6% of reported rabies cases in the U.S. in 2015, the last year for which statistics were available. There has not been a single confirmed case of cat-to-human rabies in the U.S. in the past 40 years.
Sources
https://bphc.org/whatwedo/infectious-diseases/Infectious-Diseases-A-to-Z/Pages/Stray-Cats.aspx
https://www.alleycat.org/community-cat-care/cat-behavior-scratching/
https://www.healthline.com/health/infection/my-cat-scratched-me-should-i-be-worried
https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/animal-bites-and-rabies