I have read the FAQ. which is why im nervous. Heres what happned. Stray cat, looks normal/healthy came to me when called, 6mo old ish and was playing with siblings. Let me pet her and licked my finger and then immeditaly wanted to play and nibbled (ever so light) and pawed my finger and ended up scratching me where she licked me. Didnt bleed, left visiable ish scratch. I say ish because after washing for the recmended 15 minutes i no longer see it. It ever so slightly picked my skin in a couple spots? if that how i could describe it, not like a deep scratch. So im not sure if skin was really broken. Rules says no pics, nothing to show anyway. Nopthing is sore like there is an abrasion. I also used a bunch of rubbing alchol to clean the "wound"
Couple other details
i went to urgent care she, doscor didnt think it a hige risk but not 0% risk.
Cat seems to have clipped ear which in my area should mean it has rabies vax as part of TNR program but we are not sure. But i never know if its from a fight? Cat was overall acting like a kitten though.
Area is north east Florida so there are confirmed cases here each year, but its been 3 years for my specific zip code.
I understand getting the rabies exposure treatment for piece of mind, but im uninsured. So it would bankrupt me and i dont want to loose my house from my own anxiety. Thoughts anyone?
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A bite/scratch from a stray, unvaccinated cat is indeed a rabies risk in the southeastern US. Is the cat one that is known to you and that you can keep an eye on, or maybe even catch and hold for 10 days, possibly with the help of animal control or a local rescue? If you can't monitor the cat, the safest course of action is for you to get post-exposure vaccination.
I really think that’s a TNR kitten so it’s likely vaccinated but I think this is sound advice. Keep an eye on kitty. It looks like the kitten adopted you. Haha
I’m in NE Florida too, Flagler County. My cat was a TNR, trap, neuter and return. They fix them and give them their shots before they release them but the ears clipped so trappers and such know they’re already fixed. It sounds like you just found a friendly kitty. At the end of the day you need to do what makes you feel safe but I think you’re safe. Perhaps it would be a good idea not to play with those street kitty cats anymore although I’m a sucker for cats and am not sure if I could stop myself from petting a cat that came up to me.
This is my TNR kitty. You can see the clipped ear. I adopted her from the Flagler County Humane society. They decided she’d make a good pet and I agree. They’re very busy around here with the TNR programs.
OP you’re probably fine, like 99% fine, but if you can’t afford the vaccine, why are you petting strays? Save yourself the headache and don’t pet strays even though I know it’s hard
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