My cat was bitten. When would rabies symptoms appear after a bite?

Yes, it is true that an animal that can transmit rabies will die within 10 days. The animal is typically placed on a 10 day quarantine after the bite. If the animal lives beyond the 10th day, it was not shedding the rabies virus at the time that the bite occurred. Here is a link with more information. https://www.americanhumane.org/fact-sheet/rabies-facts-prevention-tips/ If you have any concerns with your health then you should contact your physician or local health department.

Hi there. It's possible that a stray cat could be infected with rabies even if it's not showing any symptoms. However, an infected animal isn't contagious until the very last stages of infection. The general rule of thumb is that if an animal with an unknown vaccine history bites someone, it needs to be quarantined for 10 days to observe for any symptoms. If the animal is infected and contagious, they will develop serious neurlogic issues and die within a few days. If they animal is still alive and healthy after 10 days, you can be confident that it was not shedding the rabies virus at the time of the bite.

Hi there! Without confirmation of rabies infection by very specific testing it is impossible to know with certainty if an animal or person has contracted the virus. With that said, rabies infection must be always be considered when an animal comes in contact with any unvaccinated/unknown or wild animal, especially if said animal is showing neurological signs. Signs of infection typically do not occur until 5 days post initial infection. Rabies is transmitted through saliva/bites, ingestion of an infected animal, urine, and through an infected mothers milk. While it does not sound like there was any penetrating wounds, I highly recommend that you contact your regular veterinarian as soon as possible to discuss how to proceed, as the laws regarding handling potential rabies cases vary from state to state. If Scarlett is up-to-date on her rabies vaccine she may need to receive another rabies vaccine and/or be quarantined for a period of time as a precaution. Remember that people can also become infected with rabies, therefore be sure that you limiting your contact with Scarlett as well as the stray cat until you speak with your regular vet and discuss a plan moving forward.

I think the likelihood of you acquiring rabies is relatively low, however it is much higher for Tomas. I'd recommend making an appointment with your veterinarian to have his rabies vaccine updated and to discuss a quarantine period if needed. Even if Tomas has been exposed to rabies he would not be able to shed the virus for at least a few weeks.

Hi Milna! I'm sorry to hear that your puppy was bitten. There are no symptoms of rabies that appear immediately. Since rabies is a fatal disease that can be transmitted through bodily fluids (saliva, blood) to humans, please take your puppy to a vet immediately. In addition to the concern of rabies, your puppy should have his wound evaluated, cleaned, and be started on a course of antibiotics.

I would call your vet and ask about this specifically. If she has not yet had a rabies vaccine, she should receive one, and it would also be advisable to keep her inside away from other animals and with only 1 person interacting with her for a period of 10 days as a "quarantine," as a precaution. Thank you for asking Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach!

Rabies can only be contracted by being bit by animal that is shedding the virus. The biggest concern for indoor only cats is if a bat has gotten into the house because we do not always know if that bat has bitten a cat. If Bonnie is not vaccinated for Rabies, then she may need to be quarantined for a period of time (usually 10 days) to make sure that she does not develop any signs of Rabies. That quarantine may be able to be in your house if you don't have any other animals or may need to be at a vet clinic or shelter. I would recommend contacting your veterinarian to discuss the specific legal requirements in your area. Depending on your state, she may not be able to be vaccinated for Rabies until after her quarantine period. Good luck! I hope that was helpful and answers your questions. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.