POLL: HELP! I got bit and scratched badly by a stray cat! (it's a new cat I just got, that got out, then I TRIED to catch!)

You need a rabies vaccine. Unfortunately. It's really not worth the risk.

The cat did not appear rabid, and the cat had a reason to bite me - he thought he was in danger and extremely startled as I tried to carry him home.

Unless you can catch the cat and have it tested for Rabies.

Im just telling you what the ER will tell you. If the animal hasn't had the vaccine they will want to give you the after bite vaccine.

If you have the cat you can get it tested I think. Which would be a lot cheaper.

capture the cat and observe it for 10 days, treat it nicely during that time, may be you could be friends with that cat. eventually.

The problem is they are not always symptomatic.

Alcohol then later hydrogen peroxide. Rabies is a potential, but according to my doctor there has not been a case of cat-involved rabies in 40 years.

Did you scrub and wash well? Unless it was a puncture bite a mere scratch should be OK, but punctures can trap nasty shit in.

But what is the timeline for getting the Rabies after bite vaccine?

I don't think this is something you want to be a first at.

That particular doctor was a cardiologist and internal medicine doctor from a major medical center.

Someone suggested to hold the cat for 10 days to see if it dies. That is also what they say here.

Hope this helps OP. I know you are just trying to be a good person.

[link to thecatsite.com (secure)]

There have been cats with rabies though in the last 40 years. I am quite certain they get it often in the areas where rabies is present.

he ded.

Rabies is a risk. I'd also go in for an antibiotic. I was viciously attacked by a cat once with deep puncture wounds and scratches. They would not give me any stitches because the risk of infection was so high. I was sent home with a strong antibiotic and still ended up with a high fever, chills and very ill for about 5 days. (Cat scratch fever?).

I was a veterinary asst for two years.

Yes, go to ER.

Cat bites are very serious.

You will need antibiotics.

This happened to me. Just watch for red streaks going up your arm. If that happens, go to the ER for antibiotics. I was OK but it really was sore,like broken glass going up my arm.

OP might also need a tetanus shot if they haven't had one. I would not put that off either if it's a puncture wound. Cats teeth are perfect vectors to transmit anaerobic bacteria to the muscle layer of tissue.

Put Neosporin on it. See if that stops any infection. Don't waste your money, unless you have just a small co-pay. I wouldn't go until I saw an infection or felt like shit. Not worth sitting all day in an ER. Do you want to pump a bunch of doses of another vaccine in you, especially if you are pessimistic to the Covid "vaccine".

That cat WAS vaccinated for rabies.
I'm more concerned about bacteria and other infections.

I don't think the Covid vaccine is comparable to the Rabies or Tetanus shots. Those have been around for decades and are widely used and tested.

Can I trust tenanus shots???

Oh, Great! Well that is a great thing. Have you had a tetanus shot in the last 5 years?

if you have had vaccines recently and thus have no immune system go to doctors.

however, if you have a functioning immune system and the bite is not very deep then don't worry.

Yes, and I used serious antibiotic soap multiple times.

Well, it's been widely used for decades without any complications to my knowledge. You don't want Tetanus, it's worse than rabies.

I have not had a tenenus shot for decades.
Do I REALLY need to get a tetanus shot?
Can I TRUST a tetanus shot?

Nah, just let it sit overnight. If you want, you can order some colloidal silver from Fat Man Jones. Shouldn’t be more than two weeks to get it.

a tetanus shot is as good as being actually exposed to it.

tetanus is everywhere like tb bacteria. the reason you don't get either is you have a functioning immune system. you will be exposed to this daily.

put some hydrogen peroxide diluted on the cuts.