Do I need a shot if scratched by a kitten and it bleeds?
Oct 08, 2024
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Yang Ziqi
Introduction
In general, if you are scratched and bleed from a kitten, you may need to get injections because there is a potential risk of infection. After being scratched and bleeding from a kitten, you usually need to receive the rabies vaccine, and whether the tetanus vaccine is needed depends on the condition of the wound. However, whether vaccination is actually required and which vaccines should be administered should be determined based on medical advice and individual circumstances.
Generally, if scratched by a kitten and bleeding occurs, vaccination may be necessary due to potential infection risks. The detailed explanation is as follows:
A bleeding scratch from a kitten usually constitutes a relatively high-level exposure to rabies, as there is a risk of virus entering the body through broken skin. It is therefore recommended to receive the rabies vaccine as soon as possible after the injury. Rabies is a fatal viral infection transmitted via animal saliva, particularly from dogs, cats, and bats.
If the kitten's health status is unknown or if the wound is deep, prompt medical attention should be sought and rabies vaccination considered. Additionally, deep wounds may carry a risk of tetanus infection caused by Clostridium tetani. In such cases, in addition to the rabies vaccine, administration of tetanus antitoxin or tetanus immunoglobulin is required to prevent tetanus.
After being scratched by a kitten with bleeding, individuals generally need to receive the rabies vaccine, and whether a tetanus vaccine is also needed depends on the nature of the wound. However, the specific decision on whether vaccination is necessary and which vaccines to administer should be made based on medical advice and individual circumstances.
