Mel1981 11 Posted April 22, 2023 Hey all. I was outside with my family yesterday and a black cat that hangs around our rural neighborhood came over and was very friendly and wanted love. I gave him some pets and then he flipped over and I touched his belly and he playfully scratched at my right hand. I had a whitish scratch mark but it didn't have blood and no mark now there today. I washed with soap and water and alcohol afterward. Of course I today I'm worried about rabies. I think it's extremely rare for cats to have it and we have seen this cat around the neighborhood before. What do you think? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ironman 198 Posted April 22, 2023 1 hour ago, Mel1981 said: Hey all. I was outside with my family yesterday and a black cat that hangs around our rural neighborhood came over and was very friendly and wanted love. I gave him some pets and then he flipped over and I touched his belly and he playfully scratched at my right hand. I had a whitish scratch mark but it didn't have blood and no mark now there today. I washed with soap and water and alcohol afterward. Of course I today I'm worried about rabies. I think it's extremely rare for cats to have it and we have seen this cat around the neighborhood before. What do you think? Rabies is only transmitted through saliva. If the cat wasn't hissing or biting, you're good. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mel1981 11 Posted April 22, 2023 39 minutes ago, Ironman said: Rabies is only transmitted through saliva. If the cat wasn't hissing or biting, you're good. I know it was a scratch but my mind keeps trying to go into the what if it had saliva on it's paw or it bit me and I forgot and stuff like that. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ironman 198 Posted April 23, 2023 11 hours ago, Mel1981 said: I know it was a scratch but my mind keeps trying to go into the what if it had saliva on it's paw or it bit me and I forgot and stuff like that. The rabies virus is not infectious if it has dried out or exposed to sunlight. Gettin rabies from a scratch is rare, and it has to be fast enough that it doesn't dry out, cool off, or be exposed to sunlight. What if'ing only keeps the anxiety going. We scare ourselves because we aren't thinking of something to scare ourselves. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
