I was bitten rescuing a kitten, desperately need advice.

introuble

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My daughters and husband pulled up to a Red Lobster today and saw two wet, scruffy kittens in the parking lot.  One dashed under the building, but I was able to grab the other.  She bit me and scratched me before I could scruff her.  The bites aren't deep punctures--looking more like deep scratches, really--but they're sore.

So...now in addition to the three pet cats (all rescues) we have, we now have this wild-eyed little ball of long, orange fur in a cat carrier in the garage.  And I have no idea what to do with her.  She's wild as all-get-out, and I really need advice.

I do not intend to keep her.  As I said, we've got three others and live in a small house on an even smaller budget.  But the best outcome would be for her to have a forever home elsewhere.  But she'll have to be socialized first; she's quite the whirling dervish now!

And, of course, I'm worried about rabies (or other nasty bugs).  I washed my wounds in hot water and soap about 5 minutes after I was bitten, and I've put Bacitracin on them.

So, here are my questions:

1) I think she's about 4 months old.  Can she still become a loving, sweet, docile kitty, or will she be semi-feral and wild all her life?

2) Can we be sure she doesn't have rabies without killing her and testing the remains? 

3) I've heard that if they're observed for a period of time, that's another way of telling they don't have it--but how long? 

4) And should I start rabies shots in the meantime?

For now, I've got her in a very small, hard cat carrier in the garage, with a dish of water, Meow Mix, and a tiny litter box and a soft cloth to lie on.  Even if I have to take her to the vet and have her euthanized, I figure her last night will be a safe, dry, calm one with a full belly.  And no matter what happens, she won't be out in some horrible parking lot making more babies born to suffer.  Right?

I'm pretty upset right now.  Crying, actually.  I hope someone here offers me some advice. 

Thank you.
 

clynn11

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I think most people on here, when bit, just go to the doctor and say they don't have the cat or it was a random cat on the street they were trying to save, but failed. Then they get the medical attention but do not sentence the kitty to death until they know for sure. I recently just rescued a 4 month oldish kitten who was feral, he bit me about 20 times-some were pretty deep. As I have no insurance, I didn't go to the hospital. Both of my hands were pretty red and sore, and swollen at the bite sites for about 3 days (the deepest ones taking the longest). I just continually washed my hands with anti-bacterial soap, as well as soaked them in Epsom salt a few times a day. I don't think there is any test for rabies other than post-mortem. I've read quarantine time is 4 to 6 days as cats with rabies are supposed to die within that time, but i've never experienced it so not too sure.

My hands are fine now and the kitty is doing well and making great strides in being socialized. He's started coming out on his own, sitting a few feet away from me, playing with toys, and even just crouching when I walk up to him and allowing me to pick him up (although he wriggles and wants down after about two seconds). If I bring him in the bathroom he will purr deeply in my lap while I stroke him.. but only in the bathroom,it's weird, but he's doing so great! I have no doubt you can socialize your kitty.

I know the advice for a cat bite is emergency room ASAP to get attention and a tetanus shot if you're not current- but i've been bit many times by different cats and have never had the need (if I had insurance i'd be more willing to get checked out).

Hope I helped. Good luck and thank you for saving this baby!
 

bluerexbear

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For an animal to give you rabies, it has to be actively rabbid itself.  That is why an animal can be observed for a period of time and, if it doesn't die, it didn't have rabies.  The chances of a 4 month old kitten having rabies is small...if it were attacked by an animal carrying rabies, it likely would have been killed by said animal.

If I were you, I would disinfect your wounds, set up the cat in a cage with food/litter box, and observe it for the next week - or two.  If your wounds heal and the cat isn't sick, I wouldn't worry about it. 

Of course, I am no doctor and I can't tell you anything for certain.  I am just going based on my own past experiences.  If it makes you feel better, see a doctor or call "ask a nurse" and get their advice. 

Sorry this happened!
 

StefanZ

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You had already got excellent answers.  Defending themselves when catched is a perfectly normal behavior for them, so here is no signs whatsoever she has rabies.  None.

If she may be a carrier in another thing.  Of that I dont know anything. We dont have rabies in Sweden, so I dont have the intuitive feeling of living in a country when every scratch by an unknown animal may...

Although the scratches themselves may be unpleasant. Cat scratches goes very easily infected, so attend them as well as you ever can.

Like the others said, you can pretend you were scratched by the other who did managed to flee, if anybody asks.

To your question, if she is just about 4 months, it shouldnt be difficult to foster her, for somebody with knowledge and time, or at least lotsa love, patience and time.

It could be possible with an adult too, but no quarantiees and more time. With 4 month no 100% safe quarantee she will be lovely family pet. But she will surely be a nice cat with her owner, at the very least.

Last but not least.  If you want to take her to say a shelter (where she will be put down, as they almost always do with ferales), so yes, this night in the carrier is OK.

But if you plan her to live on, fostered by you or someone you know, or you get contact with a rescue group who does fosterings - please have her in something bigger.  A big dog crate is OK.

A bathroom is good.  A bedroom is terrific (after defleasing and deworming of course).

Welcome to our Forums!

Tx for caring and good luck!

ps.  If you decide to foster her, we shall ask a mod to move this thread into the Ferales, rescuing and fostering forum.

As long as you dont know yet, this SOS forum is most appropriate.
 

feralvr

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Welcome to TCS!! Glad you found us. Have you heard of Colloidal Silver http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colloidal_silver. It really is good to have on hand and would help to disinfect and heal your wounds. I am sure the kitten does not have rabies. As BlueRexBear says, the kitten would not have survived an attack from another rabid animal because he is so small. Keep watch on the wounds for spreading swelling, redness and heat. If that happens, go to the doctor but don't tell them you have the kitten because then most likely he will be euthanized. It was not the best way to catch a feral kitten :eek: but I understand you wanted to try to rescue them. Trapping is better and much more safe for all involved. I am sorry you were bit and hope your wounds don't worsen. I have been bit and scratched as well and never had a problem, but the bites are painful until they heal. :hugs: See if you can get some Colloidal Silver.

The kitten can surely be socialized. He is so frightened right now and afraid for his life. He needs a larger crate if you can in the next few days. Here is an article that will help you get started. Hope this helps.
http://www.catnipchronicles.com/may2012/laurie.htm
 
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nebula

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Hey welcome to TCS

That being said, there is an ages old anti microbial it works wonders called Hibiclens. It can be bought from your local walmart or pharmacy OTC- best antiseptic there is, and it doesn't sting. It draws out any poison and infection as well, apply it 3- 4 times a day with sterile gauze.

http://www.hibiclens.com/
 
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jennyr

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Hi and welcome. I hope you manage to socialise your kitten and find him a home. For your bite - the moment it starts to go red or there are any streaks, go to a doctor, do not mess about. Rabies is unlikely but cat bites are dangerous and easily cause blood poisoning - I know, I've been there, bitten and scratched by a feral who attacked my cats, and it resulted in 6 weeks of treatment with anti-biotics. As said, you needn't say you have the cat. good luck.
 

pugsanonymous

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The Hibiclens is a great suggestion. My mom used it a few years back on a badly infected foot and it kept the wound clean and disinfected. I use it too if I get a bad scrape or cut. I've also used it for the occasional squirrel bite I get when feeding them. I've never ended up with an infection, so I think it really works!
 

pugsanonymous

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The chances of her having rabies is very, very slim. I've been bitten many times and a few were very deep puncture wounds. I also get bitten by squirrels occasionally and have never gotten rabies or even ended up with an infection. Just keep the wounds clean with Hibiclens (as someone else suggested), apply Neosporin and wear band-aids for a few days. Not sure that is the correct medical advice, but it works for me. I think you'll be fine and shouldn't even have to consider having the kitten euthanized. She'll calm down with some time and patience. Right now she's scared to death and panickey. Please give her a chance. :)
 
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introuble

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Looks like this kitty (and I) will have a happy ending. 

Took her to the vet this morning.  She is right at 2 months old, so very able to be socialized.  She tested negative for Feline Leukemia and Feline AIDS.  She had neither worms nor ear mites.  Nothing but fleas.  Miraculous!  She's eating and drinking and looking quite healthy this evening.  I need to keep her quarantined for 10 days.  Chances are "1 in 100,000" of getting rabies from this kitty.  Also ~may~ have found a rescue that will help us find a home for her, but we have to socialize her first.  We'll also spay her, first.  And make sure she has shots (she had her first today).  Want her to have the best chance possible for a long and happy life--even if that life won't be with us.  We just can't afford her right now, alas.  The rescue is really stretching it, which is partially why I was panicking last night.  Rabies series apparently runs $150 a shot, and it takes 7 shots.  (!!!)   

My wounds are not serious (though I learned they don't have to be in order for rabies to be contracted; bat bite marks are almost invisible a lot of the time, and people miss them--even trained medical people can't see them, apparently, and yet rabid bats can and do give humans rabies with those itty-bitty bites!)  I apparently got to them soon enough and washed them thoroughly enough to prevent infection--or so it looks now, since there's no redness or heat and very little soreness now (except in one spot, which I'm watching!). 

I don't think they'll have any trouble finding a home for her.  She's soooo pretty.  She's got the longest whiskers I've ever seen and long, fluffy orange fur.  Striking green eyes.  Just an amazing little girl, and she's already much, much calmer.  No more trying to bite and scratch--but then I'm not grabbing her either.  :-)  Poor baby.  She was fighting for her life, and I don't blame her for a bit of it.  She's been sitting quietly as I've been putting small handfuls of food in her carrier.  We'll be letting her out of there, ASAP (gotta get the plumbing in the other bathroom fixed, first--something I've been putting off because of the expense, but now I don't have a choice, 'cause the bathroom is the only good place we have to socialize her in our tiny house, and I have to get it done pronto). 

Ah well...it's only money, you know?  And my family really does like beans!  *laughing*   Won't be the first time we've gone without so a stray cat or dog could be spayed or neutered.  Won't be the last, either.  But, next time, I'm going to be a little smarter about catching the little devils.  Definitely need the gloves...and a rabies vaccine beforehand (pre-exposure, you only need 3 shots!). 

Thank you to everyone who responded to my obvious panic.  I was so very upset.  I'm usually the cool-headed one who takes over during a crisis and orders everyone about like Admiral Nelson.  :-)   You all really helped me out, and I appreciate it.  Thank you, thank you! 
 

bluerexbear

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So you are going to get the shots?  If I were you, I would talk with a doctor before going through all of that.  Truly, your chances of getting rabies from a kitten who is eating and is NOT rabbid is pretty much 0%.  The animal has to be rabbid in order to pass rabies to you...and it obviously isn't.  I would not be getting the shots (and I have OCD/hypochondria) unless my medical doctor thought it was necessary.

Bats are a different story because a rabbid bat can bite you and you not know it.  If you don't catch the bat and get it tested, then you have to have the shots to make 100% sure.  If you have the animal there and it is not rabbid, then you didn't get rabies from it.  It can't just carry it around, bite you, and go on living while you die of rabies.  It just doesn't work that way.

Glad she is doing better and a rescue is looking at taking her!
 
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feralvr

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Aw this IS good news!!! Now if the kitten has fleas then she most likely has tapeworm from licking and eating off the fleas. Very common and not to worry. You will know if she has tape worms by the little white, rice sized segments that will pass out her anus. Sorry :eek: Yukky to talk about :lol3: See what the vet thinks. Really great news that she will soon find her forever home!!! Much luck with that. :)

I would not worry about the rabies vaccines for yourself! The next time you want to rescue a feral cat, use a Havahart trap http://www.havahart.com/. Keep yourself safe!!! :vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes:
 

lonepinestore

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My dog bit a woman last year.  She reported the incident to the County Animal Services. They came to visit us and the person was very nice and very professional. She quarantined our dog to the house for 10 days. After 10 days she came back.  As we were not at home,  she looked through the window and saw the dog looking normal.   She left a docket telling us that the quarantine was lifted.

The conclusion seems to be that after 10 days you can be sure the animal is not rabid. And there is no need for the bitten person to rush to the hospital until it has been determined that the animal is rabid. 

The worse case is when you can't catch or observe the animal.  It happened to my wife a couple of years ago. She had to have the rabies shots just in case. She didn't go to the hospital until about 6 weeks after the bite because we were going on vacation.  Hard to tell if she is rabid or not. Sometimes she gives me a  funny look.
 

meepy0405

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I just got scratched and bitten by a kitten myself. I'm very worried about it, so at least I know a few things of what to do. The kitten seems very aggressive, but I thought it was just playful. It has no shots or vaccines because it's a stray, so that is why I am so anxious. I've also been on the subject of rabies for a while, so that's another reason. Thanks!
 

crawny

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I know this is an old post, but I believe you're actually supposed to go to the Dr within 48 hours. If it's actually rabies, it IS fatal if not treated quickly.
 

Simplykendra

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I was really hoping someone would bring up the fact that you have 48 hours to get to a doctor and get shots or you die. There are only 3 people in the entire world who have survived rabies out of millions who have died from it. Please do not let lack of insurance kill you. I'd rather be in debt and alive than dead and debt free.
 

Simplykendra

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The conclusion seems to be that after 10 days you can be sure the animal is not rabid. And there is no need for the bitten person to rush to the hospital until it has been determined that the animal is rabid.
Um, no. You do not have a week to wait. By then the disease is already spread to the body and central nervous system.
 
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