vaccinated cat and rabies

[luckymom]

Cat people - 

 

We were out of town for two weeks and left a caretaker at home with our barn cat.  The cat has been vaccinated for rabies.  During our absence she was wounded.  We do not know if it was an animal wound.  We got her another booster shot and she is on antibiotics. 

 

Can a vaccinated cat still get rabies?

 

If so, how long would it take to show signs? 

 

She seems perfectly fine.

[maize]

Had she had at least two rabies vaccine doses and was the vaccination up to date (kitten dose plus one year later, then every three years after that)?

 

When I researched this last year what I read was that a rabies case has never been found in a cat who had had at least two vaccine doses. If she's been getting boosters on schedule she should be fine.

[maize]

When our vaccinated cats were exposed to a rabid bat county health required that we quarantine them at home for 45 days (after getting a booster). After that they were considered in the clear.

 

Rabies vaccine is very effective.

Edited September 26, 2016 by maize

[ktgrok]

When I worked in veterinary medicine (for about 20 years), we often treated outdoor cats with wounds. If they were vaccinated we didn't worry at all about rabies, honestly. 

[luckymom]

Thanks.

 

She has her first shot and received the wound two weeks before she was due for her booster.  The wound was discovered when she came in for the booster.  (she is not a pet-able cat and it was a wound on her chest where we could not see it).  The tech administering the second rabies found the wound and said that it was already healing on its own.  We have been administering antibiotics.  Honestly, she seems totally fine.  She hates being locked up.  It's been at least three weeks since she got hurt.  Can she really develop rabies at this point?

[maize]

Thanks.

 

She has her first shot and received the wound two weeks before she was due for her booster. The wound was discovered when she came in for the booster. (she is not a pet-able cat and it was a wound on her chest where we could not see it). The tech administering the second rabies found the wound and said that it was already healing on its own. We have been administering antibiotics. Honestly, she seems totally fine. She hates being locked up. It's been at least three weeks since she got hurt. Can she really develop rabies at this point?

Rabies can take some time to develop after infection.

 

I would think the chance of rabies is very small, but it is not impossible.

 

What is your vet's opinion?

[ktgrok]

Thanks.

 

She has her first shot and received the wound two weeks before she was due for her booster.  The wound was discovered when she came in for the booster.  (she is not a pet-able cat and it was a wound on her chest where we could not see it).  The tech administering the second rabies found the wound and said that it was already healing on its own.  We have been administering antibiotics.  Honestly, she seems totally fine.  She hates being locked up.  It's been at least three weeks since she got hurt.  Can she really develop rabies at this point?

 

Possible, but very very unlikely. 

[luckymom]

They are saying a 45 day quarantine.  Poor cat.  She is used to the great outdoors.  She keeps meowing by the door.