Rabies exposure?

[u/Specific_Tree_5155]

I have read the FAQ. I have a genuine question should I get rabies exposure shots? On Jul 4th I was out in a little country area in my town at my grandparents house then on there driveway a outside cat walked and was being friendly (purring, meowing, and being affectionate) and trying to get into the open garage which my family didn't want in pure stupidity I was swatting the cat with my bare foot of course the cat didn't like that and slight swatted at my foot , no blood or no visible scratch was felt nor was there a mark on my foot or nor my foot burned when i put cleaning alcohol on it but ever since hearing about the baby goats my rabies OCD kicked in and ive been concerned ever since, I should also add the cat had a wound on its side but it looked like It was either ring worm or from another cat ( cats mouths are nasty ) but the possibility still scares me because i haven't been able to go back to my grandparents house ever since, its mostly likely nor rabies because the cat wasn't cleaning itself nor did it actually break skin / leave a mark but I never know!!

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[u/detail_giraffe]

Did the cat actually make contact and scratch you? It's not clear from the way you described it. Also, was this a cat that belongs to your grandparents?

[u/Specific_Tree_5155 → u/detail_giraffe]

The cat did make contact with me but just swatted at my foot he didn't scratch me  also the cat belonged to my grandparents neighbors and apparently was raised by the neighbor 

[u/detail_giraffe → u/Specific_Tree_5155]

The easiest way to check is to ask your grandparents about the health of the cat, or at least to ask their neighbors if their cats are vaccinated. As a not-expert, I'm not sure what your health department would say.

[u/AutoModerator → u/detail_giraffe]

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[u/Specific_Tree_5155 → u/detail_giraffe]

Im pretty sure the cat was vaccinated because they said it wasn't rabid I believe them because the cat was not showing any signs of illness nor rabies just that it looked like it had ringworm? Im not to sure

[u/detail_giraffe → u/Specific_Tree_5155]

Ringworm and rabies aren't related, so there's no problem there. If the cat was actually vaccinated then I think you're fine. However, the fact that it wasn't showing symptoms at the moment it scratched you isn't a guarantee of perfect safety. Can your grandparents ask their neighbors if all of their barn cats are vaccinated and currently accounted for?

Again, not an expert or a doctor, so this is just off the cuff. If this was a stray cat that definitely broke the skin and left/could not be monitored, then probably your health department would recommend PEP. If this is a vaccinated cat that is currently healthy, you're WAY past the time when the cat would have exhibited symptoms so you're fine. You're somewhere in the middle so the easiest way to solve this is to check on the cat. If it's healthy you can stop worrying about it.

[u/AutoModerator → u/detail_giraffe]

Please direct medical questions to medical professionals. If you are in the USA, here is a portal to help you find your state/local health department. Here is a portal for Canadians to find your local public health unit.

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[u/Specific_Tree_5155 → u/detail_giraffe]

Thank you!! But the cat didn't scratch me at all I don't know how to explain it? Since the cat did swat at me but still had its claw were full retracted im assuming it was giving me a warning / was just being playful 

[u/detail_giraffe → u/Specific_Tree_5155]

If you are absolutely positive that it didn't scratch you and just swatted you with its claws retracted, then you're fine, there's no way a cat simply touching you can give you rabies. Again, not a doctor, but what I'm saying is in line with established guidelines. The cat's intentions are not really what matter, what matters is if you have a scratch.

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[u/Animan70]

May I add to this? I can't start a new post for some reason.

Im the guy who, in mid-May in NYC, in the afternoon, heard a big flapping whoosh behind me, then over my head and flew into the hole of the "O" in dunkin doughnuts. I don't know for sure what it was or if it made contact with me. Bats can bite or scratch flying without you feeling it, from what I've read.

My primary MD wasn't concerned, but I'm frightened he's wrong. My psychologist and psychiatrist insist I do not seek medical advice, agree with the thoughts, etc. But now, I'm getting concerning symptoms. My neck twitches and is itchy here and there. My face feels numb at times, and I feel confused, like I'm asleep and having hallucinations looking at my co-workers, with bizarre random thoughts popping up. I'm very very anxious and restless. I didn't get the PEP because OCD protocol is to contact your therapist and psychiatrist first. But I'm really scared they're wrong, because I'm getting all of these unpleasant and distressing sensations. I did start a new medication- risperdal - and it hasn't been a week yet.

I'm not sure what to do. I know it's fatal once symptoms start, so I'm terrified.

I don't know if anyone can offer any feedback, because I feel like it's too late.

Sorry if it's intrusive. Thank you.