Do I need to get an injection after being scratched by a cat and bleeding?

Bleeding resulting from a cat scratch indicates a relatively deep wound, necessitating vaccination.

If bleeding occurs after a cat scratch, immediate first aid is recommended. First, assess the depth and length of the wound. Then, thoroughly wash the wound with soap and water, followed by disinfection using iodine tincture. If the wound is deep or involves significant bleeding, local hemostasis should also be performed. Regardless of wound depth, any bleeding injury warrants prompt medical attention for rabies vaccination. Typically, the rabies vaccine requires a series of 3 to 5 doses administered over time.

Rabies vaccination prevents infection with the rabies virus—a zoonotic, acute infectious disease with an extremely high fatality rate. Infected individuals usually die within 3 to 6 days due to respiratory or circulatory failure. Additionally, if the scratch is severe and associated with substantial bleeding, tetanus immune globulin may also be required.