What vaccine should be administered after being bitten by a cat?

Feb 08, 2023 Source: Cainiu Health

Dr. Li Feng

Introduction

After being bitten by a cat, rabies vaccination should be administered promptly. If necessary, tetanus antitoxin can also be given. A cat's saliva may contain the rabies virus. Therefore, if a cat bite causes bleeding or oozing, or if the skin or mucous membranes are damaged, rabies vaccine should be administered immediately to prevent infection with the rabies virus.

After being bitten by a cat, rabies vaccination should be administered promptly. If necessary, tetanus antitoxin can also be given.

Cat saliva may contain the rabies virus. Therefore, if a person is bitten by a cat and the wound involves bleeding or oozing, indicating damage to the skin or mucous membranes, rabies vaccine should be administered immediately to prevent infection with the rabies virus. A full course of rabies vaccination consists of five injections: one dose on the day of the bite, followed by additional doses on days 3, 7, 14, and 30. Only completing all five doses ensures effective prevention of rabies transmission.

After being bitten by a cat, treatment should follow standard guidelines for rabies prevention and management. If the wound is bleeding or broken, rabies vaccine and rabies immunoglobulin should be administered as appropriate. Additionally, the wound site should be thoroughly washed with soap and water, then disinfected with iodine solution. If there is obvious bleeding in the wound, first squeeze out as much blood as possible from the surrounding area, then rinse thoroughly with water and disinfect with iodine. The wound should generally not be bandaged to avoid bacterial growth and potential tetanus infection; in such cases, tetanus antitoxin should also be injected locally at the wound site.

Moreover, if bitten by a pet cat whose owner has already vaccinated the animal against rabies and the vaccination is still within its valid period, the bitten person may not need to receive the rabies vaccine again.

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What should I do if I'm bitten by a cat and it causes bleeding?

In general, if you are bitten by a cat and bleeding occurs, the wound should be promptly flushed and disinfected. Then, go to a正规 hospital to receive a rabies vaccine. Note that cat bites causing bleeding must be taken seriously. If you are unsure how to handle it, it is recommended to directly consult a professional doctor at a正规 medical facility for accurate guidance.

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How long after a cat bite does symptoms usually appear?

Symptoms of a cat bite usually appear about three months after the incident. Cat bites can easily lead to rabies, which typically enters the prodromal stage around three months post-exposure. Patients may experience mild fever, fatigue, headache, nausea, and other general malaise. They become sensitive and fearful of stimuli such as the sound of water and bright lights. A sensation of throat constriction may occur, along with numbness, tingling, itching, or crawling sensations around the wound site.

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What to do if a cat bite breaks the skin and causes bleeding

A cat bite that breaks the skin and causes bleeding may easily introduce the rabies virus into the body through the cat's saliva, potentially leading to rabies. Immediately wash and soak the wound repeatedly with saline solution, hydrogen peroxide, and iodophor. After cleaning, apply an external antibiotic ointment such as Bactroban (mupirocin) or tetracycline eye ointment, then properly cover the wound with a small dressing or adhesive bandage. It is essential to receive the rabies vaccine promptly within 24 hours after the bite.

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Will there be any problem if I immediately disinfect a cat bite with alcohol?

In general, disinfecting immediately with alcohol after being bitten by a cat may prevent complications, but problems could still occur depending on the specific circumstances. It is recommended that patients seek medical attention promptly if they experience any discomfort and receive standardized treatment under a doctor's guidance, which can facilitate recovery. If the cat has received all necessary vaccinations and shows no signs of infectious diseases, and the bite only causes a minor skin injury,

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Is it still helpful to get a shot 7 days after being bitten by a cat?

Whether a rabies vaccine is needed seven days after being bitten by a cat depends on the size of the wound and whether the cat has been vaccinated. If the skin is unbroken and the cat has received the rabies vaccine, getting the vaccine seven days later will not have significant consequences. However, if the wound is severe with substantial bleeding, and the cat shows symptoms such as unusual barking or other signs of illness, waiting seven days to receive the vaccine after the bite may greatly increase the risk.

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Is it okay not to get serum after being bitten by a cat?

If a cat bite is not particularly severe and only causes minor damage to the skin or mucous membranes, without breaks, bleeding, or abrasions, it is generally acceptable not to receive purified anti-rabies serum. However, if scratched by a rabid cat and the injury is serious—such as multiple bites or scratches on the face, head, or neck—prophylactic administration of purified anti-rabies serum is usually necessary to prevent the onset of rabies.

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What should I do if bitten by a cat? If it's bleeding, can I skip getting a shot?

After being bitten by a cat, it is generally necessary to promptly rinse the wound with running water and soapy water, then disinfect it with iodine tincture. It is also important to visit a local防疫站 (preventive medicine center) as soon as possible to receive the rabies vaccine. Bleeding from a cat bite indicates that the skin has been broken, allowing the rabies virus to enter the bloodstream through damaged capillaries and potentially cause systemic infection leading to rabies. Therefore, skipping the vaccination is usually not advisable.

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Bitten by a cat, but the skin was not broken; swelling occurred.

After being bitten by a cat without breaking the skin but experiencing swelling, it is recommended to clean the area with clean water, apply ice packs, and use medication as advised by a doctor. In addition, special attention should be paid to preventing infection after a cat bite. If the swelling persists, pain worsens, or other abnormal symptoms occur, prompt medical attention is advised for evaluation and treatment.

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