Can a very small scratch cause rabies

Can You Get Rabies From a Cat Scratch? Vet-Reviewed Risks & Precautions

The information is current and up-to-date in accordance with the latest veterinarian research.

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Rabies is a dangerous disease that often leads to death. Unfortunately, all unvaccinated cats are susceptible to the disease if they spend any amount of time outdoors. Even if your cat is kept strictly indoors, there is always a chance that they will escape. All it takes is one physical interaction with an infected animal such as a bat, a raccoon, a skunk, or a fox to contract rabies.

So, whether you come across a stray cat outdoors or your kitty gets rabies during an escapade outside, it is important to know if you can get rabies from a cat scratch. The short answer is that yes, it is possible to contract rabies from a cat scratch. But dont panic! There is more to the story, so read on.

Cat Scratches Can Result in Rabies But Its Rare

According to the CDC, it is possible to get rabies from a cat scratch, but it is rare. Rabies is typically transmitted through saliva. Its when an infected cats saliva makes contact with an open wound or your eyes, nose, or mouth that the chance of contracting rabies is highest. Even then, you can get a vaccine to minimize the risk of getting ill. If an infected cat scratches you but their saliva does not make contact with you, chances are that you have nothing to worry about. Even so, it is essential to see a doctor immediately if a rabid cat scratches you.

What to Do If Youre Scratched by a Cat That May Be Infected With Rabies

To be on the safe side, it is a good idea to always treat strange cats that you come across outdoors as if they have rabies. With this in mind, you should stay calm but contact a doctor as soon as possible after being scratched by a strange cat. This is especially important if the strange cat is acting aggressive, drooling, or comatose. You likely wont contract rabies, but your doctor may want to vaccinate you just in case.

If an indoor cat that has recently gotten outdoors scratches you, isolate the feline for a few days to see if they develop any signs of illness. If so, you should see a doctor to determine whether you need treatment. If you are scratched by a house cat that you know and that has not been exposed to the outdoors, there is no need to do anything but treat your scratches as necessary.

Can Other Diseases Be Contracted When a Cat Scratch Occurs?

Unfortunately, rabies is not the only thing to worry about if you get scratched by a cat, especially one that you dont know or who spends most of their time outdoors. There is no need to immediately rush to a doctor, but you should keep an eye out for symptoms that could indicate disease. Here are the diseases to be aware of:

• MRSA: This is a strain of Staphylococcus aureus that is resistant to the common antibiotics. It can cause severe health problems like skin, lung, heart, and bone infections. Symptoms include the development of small bumps on the skin that may be filled with pus, swollen areas on the body that are warm to the touch, and fever. MSRA can be passed back and forth between cats and humans.
• Bacterial Cellulitis: This is a bacterial infection that gets deep into the skin. Symptoms include red and swollen skin, tender skin, and body chills.
• Cat Scratch Fever: This is a bacterial infection caused by Bartonella henselae. Up to 1 in 3 cats carry this bacteria in their blood, although most cats show no signs of illness. The bacteria can be passed on to a human through bites and scratches that break the skin. This infection causes symptoms such as fever, swollen lymph nodes, muscle pain, nausea, abdominal pain, and a general feeling of illness.

How to Keep Your Cat Safe From Rabies and Other Diseases

The most important thing that you can do to keep your cat safe from rabies and other diseases is to keep up with their vaccination schedule. Making sure your cats vaccines are up to date will provide your cat with the best protection possible against diseases of many kinds. It is also important to consider keeping your cat indoors. Anytime they go outside, there is a chance that they will come into contact with an infected wild animal and become infected themselves.

If you dont want to keep your cat strictly indoors, consider building a catio for them to spend time in during the day. This will help ensure that they dont make physical contact with unknown animals outside. If your cat does get outside and become unwell, isolate them away from other pets indoors for about a week to see if they develop signs of disease. If nothing happens, reintroduce them to the general household. Otherwise, schedule an appointment with the vet, and keep your feline isolated until the appointment time arrives.

A Final Recap

There is no doubt that cats can get rabies and pass it on to humans. However, the risk of contracting rabies through a cat scratch is low. Still, it is important to know the signs of rabies and, most importantly, to keep yourself and your cat protected from the risk of contracting the disease. Also, rabies is not the only disease to worry about, which is why you should never interact with a stray cat, especially if they look ill.

Featured Image Credit: AJR_photo, Shutterstock

Is it possible to contract rabies from a dog scratch?

Introduction: The Risk of Rabies from a Dog Scratch

Dogs are among the most popular pets worldwide, with millions of households owning at least one. However, owning a dog comes with certain risks, especially if the dog is not vaccinated against rabies. Rabies is a fatal viral disease that affects both humans and animals and is transmitted through the saliva of infected animals. Although rare, rabies can be contracted from a dog scratch, making it crucial to understand the risk factors and preventive measures.

Understanding Rabies: Causes and Symptoms

Rabies is caused by a virus that attacks the nervous system of the infected animal or human. The virus is transmitted through the saliva of infected animals, usually through a bite. The symptoms of rabies include fever, headache, muscle weakness, seizures, and eventually, paralysis and death. Once the symptoms appear, there is no cure for rabies, making it essential to seek medical help immediately after exposure.

How Can Dogs Contract Rabies?

Dogs can contract rabies through contact with infected animals, such as bats, raccoons, and skunks. The virus is usually transmitted through bites, but scratches and licks on open wounds or mucous membranes can also spread the virus. Dogs that are not vaccinated against rabies are at a higher risk of contracting the disease. In some cases, dogs can spread the virus to humans through bites or scratches, making it essential to take preventive measures to avoid exposure.

Risk Factors for Contracting Rabies from a Dog Scratch

The risk of contracting rabies from a dog scratch depends on several factors, such as the severity of the scratch, the location of the wound, and the vaccination status of the dog. Dogs that are not vaccinated against rabies pose a higher risk of transmitting the virus to humans. Moreover, scratches on the face, neck, or hands are more likely to transmit the virus than scratches on other body parts. It is also crucial to consider the behavior of the dog, as aggressive or erratic behavior may indicate the presence of rabies.

Transmission of Rabies through Saliva

Rabies is primarily transmitted through the saliva of infected animals, usually through bites. However, the virus can also be transmitted through scratches or licks on open wounds or mucous membranes, such as the eyes or mouth. Once the virus enters the body, it travels to the nervous system, where it can cause severe damage and ultimately lead to death. It is crucial to seek immediate medical attention after exposure to reduce the risk of contracting rabies.

What to Do If You Get Scratched by a Dog

If you get scratched by a dog, it is essential to clean the wound thoroughly with soap and water. If the scratch is severe, seek medical attention immediately. It is also crucial to ask the owner of the dog about the vaccination status of the dog and its behavior. If the dog is not vaccinated or shows signs of rabies, contact your healthcare provider immediately to assess your risk of rabies exposure.

Diagnosis of Rabies in Dogs

Diagnosing rabies in dogs involves testing brain tissue samples for the presence of the virus. The testing is usually done after the dog has died or been euthanized. However, in some cases, a live animal test can be performed, which involves taking a sample of saliva or spinal fluid. It is crucial to report any suspected cases of rabies in dogs to the local health department to prevent the spread of the virus.

Treatment for Rabies in Humans

There is no cure for rabies once symptoms appear, making it crucial to seek medical attention immediately after exposure. Treatment for rabies involves a series of injections to prevent the virus from spreading in the body. The treatment is most effective when started early, before symptoms appear. It is crucial to follow the recommended treatment plan and attend all scheduled appointments to reduce the risk of contracting rabies.

Prevention of Rabies: Vaccination and Safety Measures

Preventing rabies involves vaccination of dogs and taking preventive measures around animals. Dogs should be vaccinated against rabies regularly, as recommended by the veterinarian. It is also crucial to avoid contact with stray or wild animals, especially those that show signs of rabies. If you have a dog, keep it on a leash and monitor its behavior around other animals and humans. It is also crucial to teach children to avoid approaching unfamiliar dogs.

Laws and Regulations on Rabies in Dogs

Many countries and states have laws and regulations on rabies in dogs, including mandatory vaccination and quarantine requirements. It is crucial to follow these laws and regulations to prevent the spread of rabies and protect public health. Failure to comply with these laws can result in fines or legal action.

Conclusion: Staying Safe around Dogs

Rabies is a fatal viral disease that can be contracted from a dog scratch. Understanding the risk factors and preventive measures is crucial in staying safe around dogs. Vaccination of dogs and taking preventive measures around animals can help prevent the spread of rabies. It is essential to seek medical attention immediately after exposure to reduce the risk of contracting rabies.

Resources for Rabies Information and Assistance

For more information on rabies, contact your local health department or veterinarian. The World Health Organization and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also provide information on rabies prevention and treatment. In case of exposure, contact your healthcare provider or local health department for assistance.

Scratches/Abrasions without Bleeding Cause Rabies: A 7 Years Rabies Death Review from Medical College Shimla, Himachal Pradesh, India

Sir,

Rabies annually causes 20,000 deaths in India and this figure has not changed for the last decade. This review was done retrospectively to analyze the reasons for deaths due to rabies, registered at Indira Gandhi Medical College Shimla since 2009. We investigated 19 deaths due to rabies in the past 7-year period. Of these, five were caused by scratches/abrasions without any bleeding and no postexposure prophylaxis (PEP) was sought. All injuries were caused either by unvaccinated pups below 3 months of age or by stray unvaccinated dogs. Four deaths were of patients who received proper wound care along with minimum 3 doses of intramuscular rabies vaccination, but rabies immunoglobulins (RIG) were not given or were not available. In eight cases, no PEP was sought as the patients were either not aware of its need or the PEP facility was far away or the PEP cost was not affordable or deceased believed that pups below 3 months of age do not carry a risk of rabies. In one case, the patient was bitten by a cat 2 years back. Majority patients belonged to rural and remote areas. Five of the deaths in our study were because of not seeking prophylaxis as abrasions/scratches without bleeding were not thought to carry a risk of rabies. In the Philippines, a rabies death review of 1839 patients demonstrates that all deaths were due to dog related injuries including bites and scratches.[1] In Iran[2] four people having scratches on their hands were infected with the saliva of rabid animals and died due to rabies, there was no history of bites. In our death review also, deaths caused by scratches/abrasions without blood amply demonstrate the ability of the rabies virus to enter nerves through dermis due to broken skin and its capacity to cause rabies. In our settings, the minimum incubation period was 22 days due to scratches on the face in front of Lt Tragus and maximum incubation period was 102 days due to a trivial scratch on right Forearm by a furious rabid dog. Rabies due to bat scratches[3] is known and hence can happen due to rabid dog/animal scratches as well. Pathogenesis studies by Kuzmin et al.[4] state that after delivery into a wound, rabies virus can infect several types of cells and replicate at inoculation site, as has been shown for skeletal muscle cells and fibroblasts. Human skin dermal layer is populated with fibroblasts that may allow the entry of the rabies virus and subsequent infection if left unattended[5] and needs further evaluation. Latest guidelines of the WHO (2014) prescribe that the type II wounds, that include minor scratches or abrasions without bleeding, need to be given only rabies vaccine whereas additional local RIG infiltration may be required.[6] The confusion of scratches with blood or without blood need to be rectified in the type II classification of the WHO bite wounds and need to be replaced by Bruises that don't involve breach of the skin surface. Breach of skin surface can easily be identified with spirit test, if there is burning sensation, breach of skin is likely. Many national guidelines, for example, USA,[7] Canada, and Switzerland do not make a difference between category II and III wounds and recommend rabies vaccination alongwith RIG administration on potential exposure to rabid animals irrespective of the type of wounds. More such rabies death reviews may throw light on this unusual phenomenon of deaths due to scratches/abrasions by rabid animals, especially on the head, neck, shoulder region, hands and arms, in rabies endemic countries like India.

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