Should I get vaccinated if my cat scratched me?

Tetanus. Tetanus is a serious infection caused by a bacterium called Clostridium tetani. It’s recommended that you have a tetanus booster after a cat bite if it’s been more than 5 years since you’ve had the vaccine.

Can rabies transfer from cat scratch?

Rabies is usually transmitted through the saliva of an infected animal and is most commonly spread through bites. It is still possible to get rabies from a cat scratch or a scratch from any infected animal, but it is less common.

Do I need antibiotics if my cat scratched me?

If you are scratched or bitten by a cat or kitten, it is important to promptly wash the area with soap and water. Cat scratch disease can be treated by antibiotics.

Is it okay if a cat scratches you?

If you get scratched or bitten by a cat, wash the area with soap and water. Look for signs of infection over the next 2 weeks. Call your doctor if you have symptoms. In most cases, you can manage your symptoms at home with pain relievers or warm compresses.

What should I do if a cat scratches me?

Wash cat bites and scratches well with soap and running water. Do not allow cats to lick your wounds. Contact your doctor if you develop any symptoms of cat scratch disease or infection.

Do all cats have rabies?

Today, rabies in cats is rare, but cats have overtaken dogs as the most common domestic species to be infected. More than 90 percent of reports of rabies in animals to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are wildlife (bats, raccoons, skunks, foxes, etc.).

Do I need a tetanus after a cat scratch?

You may need a tetanus jab if the injury has broken your skin and your tetanus vaccinations aren’t up-to-date. Tetanus is a serious but rare condition that can be fatal if untreated. The bacteria that can cause tetanus can enter your body through a wound or cut in your skin.

What happens if you get scratched by a cat for no reason?

“If you contract pasteurella bacteria after a cat bites or scratches you, initial signs of infection can appear in a few hours,” says Dr. Sayles. “Hands, joints and tendons are at greatest risk.” People can also contract cat scratch fever, also called cat scratch disease (CSD).

Can you get rabies from a scratch from a cat?

“We worry about rabies, also, so we don’t want the animal running away.” A cat scratch or bite from an infected cat can lead to cat scratch fever, a bacterial infection that can cause you to get quite sick. It also is possible to get the disease if an infected cat’s saliva gets into an open wound.

What to do if your cat has a scratch on its leg?

Treating Cat Scratches When treating superficial scratches, it’s reasonable to wash the wound with soap and water, Levy says. “If the wound is bleeding, apply pressure with a clean, dry gauze pad,” he says.

What happens if you get scratched by your own dog?

Even so, pet bites or scratches can still happen. If you are bit or scratched by a dog or cat, even your own, infections that can follow are serious. Don’t ignore infection symptoms or wait to seek medical care. Saliva bacterium can make you really sick