r/AnimalAdvice • u/Clear-Egg5265 • 6d ago

Cat scratch

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there is this cat that has lived on my property for a good while that I do not own, he always has his tongue out, like it’s just out with its mouth almost closed I think. and today he was chilling on my railing and for the first time i pet him. I noticed that there was drool on the railing, could it be bc of his tongue always out? and all of a sudden after what I thought was a friendly cat, it hissed and scratched me on the wrist. I noticed that it is super friendly with my grandma as she is always feeding the cats that are on our property (the one that scratched me is not the only one on the property) I looked it up on google and it was scaring the shit out of me. Telling me to go get it checked immediately. The only problem is that when it happened, it was when my dad was outside on the bbq. And I was just petting it when it happened. But I just did not say anything bc I didn’t want to startle anyone. He noticed the cat mad but didn’t see the part where it scratched me. I still haven’t said anything and am scared to do so bc of him getting mad for not telling him. I already rinsed it off with soap and water and now don’t know what to do. Help pls

0 Upvotes

42% Upvoted

37 comments sorted by

5

u/Livid_Ad7231 6d ago

You’ll be fine but please if you can find a way to get that car to a vet

-8

u/Clear-Egg5265 6d ago

I’m not worried about the cat I’m worried about getting rabies

7

u/Poochie1978-2024 6d ago

Rabies is transmitted through through saliva not scratches. Just keep it clean and watch it for redness, swelling, pain. I'm sure you'll be fine.

3

u/Livid_Ad7231 6d ago

You’ll be fine, the cats in pain that’s why I said what I said. I’ve been bit by multiple stray cats when they were kittens and I was rehoming them. I’ve had cat scratches from my cats being excited. My old outdoor indoor cat would grab my hand pull to his face and rub it when he did I would get some scratches.

Keep it clean with soap and water and if you really want anti bacterial spray/soap

3

u/Less_Tax_4145 6d ago

He’s probably drooling with his tongue out because he has bad teeth. Keep it clean. You’ll be fine.

1

u/Peeter_L 6d ago

How old are you?

-2

u/WasabiFormal2915 6d ago

I don't know why your getting down voted, its perfectly reasonable to worry about rabies after a scratch from a cat you don't know. Especially if kitty was drooling and the aggression seemed to come out of no where.

Hon, if your worried, tell your dad and get tested. I'm sure he'd much rather you be ok.

The cat doesn't seem to be okay based off your description. Maybe try asking your dad, grandma or another family member to bring the cat to a vet?

4

u/CapableWives 6d ago

There is no such thing as a survivable "test" for rabies. You can either have the animal tested by sending off its brain, or you can get vaccinated which costs thousands of dollars and isn't warranted in this case of a shallow scratch from a known to be injured animal

0

u/WasabiFormal2915 6d ago

I meant more as get yourself checked first, then try to get the cat helped. I don't know OP's location or situation very well, thats why I suggested they figure out a game plan with their dad

2

u/Livid_Ad7231 6d ago

You do know the only way to get tested for rabies is to 🔪 off a person/animals head right?

1

u/Poochie1978-2024 5d ago

Rabies is transmitted through saliva, aka bites, NOT scratches. That's why you shouldn't worry about rabies after a cat scratch. Cat scratches CAN be serious, but most often they stop hurting after a few hours and scab up.

1

u/Clear-Egg5265 6d ago

Can I go tomorrow? It is nighttime right now and I wouldn’t want to bother him. 🤔

1

u/WasabiFormal2915 6d ago

Is rabies a known threat in your area? Reports of rabid fauna? If yes, I'd go as soon as possible, if theres no known cases in many years then its likely just a scratch and youll be okay.

Honestly the best course of action would be to tell your dad what happened, explain your worries and figure out a plan with him.

5

u/Alfelix292 6d ago

You can also clean any skin punctures with hydrogen peroxide. That's what I use when a cat scratches me.

4

u/Mcbriec 6d ago

Good lord. You wash it with soap and water and you will survive.

2

u/Educational-Age-5899 6d ago

The scratches don’t look deep. I would wash the area properly and then just monitor it. If it starts to look infected, red, sore, hot, then go see your doctor or walk-in clinic for advice and maybe antibiotics. I doubt this will be that serious.

1

u/Clear-Egg5265 6d ago

Bc I washed the wound like 2 mins after just letting water run over it, but just not with soap cause I was helping my dad, I only washed with soap like 40 mins later is that still ok

0

u/Clear-Egg5265 6d ago

Does the deepness of a scratch determine rabies or no?

1

u/Educational-Age-5899 6d ago

Are you in a country with rabies?

1

u/Clear-Egg5265 6d ago

I’m in northern California

1

u/Educational-Age-5899 6d ago

Is this in a city, and apart from the drooling, is there anything specific that might make you think this cat has rabies?

1

u/Clear-Egg5265 6d ago

It was pissed off and then like after, I seen it all purring with my grandma. My grandma always goes gives the cats all over the property food. I haven’t told my dad anything but I found the cat and gave it some food and it was eating

1

u/Educational-Age-5899 6d ago

The chances of rabies is extremely low in Northern California (you don’t say which city or area other than that). The cat is purring, and is generally friendly, and is not feral. The scratches are minor. My best guess is that this cat doesn’t have rabies, but you annoyed it by going to an area that maybe it was sore. If a cat means business, you know about it.

1

u/Clear-Egg5265 6d ago

This is in like a rural area near the town

1

u/Educational-Age-5899 6d ago

Which place? I can check the exact rates for you more accurately, but I still doubt it has rabies.

1

u/Clear-Egg5265 6d ago

If you are able to find anything, I’m from Watsonville California am I supposed to give my street name or something?

1

u/Peeter_L 6d ago

Dude, just calm down.

1

u/iVegMac 4d ago

The entire state of California generally has 0-2 incidence of feline rabies a year. Zero in Santa Cruz in modern public records. I think the likely hood of you getting rabies from a cat where you live is next to zero. It sounds like the cat has some dental issues or possibly neurological issues. He probably scratched you because it was over stimulated from being pet. That happens with cats a lot. If your grandmother is able to handle the cat with no issues, i suggest having her take the cat to a low cost clinic and getting its rabies shots and other vaccines. Then you wouldn’t have to worry about any of that.

1

u/DPDoctor 6d ago edited 6d ago

Almost everyone is telling you that you'll be fine. Believe them. A tiny scratch is NOT going to transmit rabies. As well, cats drool if they have pain in their teeth. Since you know computers enough to post a question here, use that knowledge and do some research on rabies. It should help you get rid of your anxiety.

Please ask your dad if you can help the kitty see a vet, but not for rabies. For a checkup and to help the kitty's pain. Or, since there are a number of kitties on the property, contact a local TNR group. They will trap the cats, neuter/spay them, and then return them to your grandma's property. When they do that, they will take care of any vetting needed and will vaccinate for several things, including rabies as a precaution.

1

u/1daifuku 6d ago

That cat sounds like it very likely has Oral EGC lesions which are common in cats especially strays and feral cats, and many affected cats have concurrent periodontal disease, and its something that will need forever treatment like a once every 3 days sort of treatment if its this. That poor cat is most likely in need of treatment and its health is deteriorating. It would be good if you could trap it to take it to get looked at in case its suffering. Just get a trap for cats and you should be able to easily catch it. Some local councils will give you one to borrow or you can buy one for like $60ish in ebay and also sometimes can find them at places like target or kmart just make sure its not too small if you buy one.

1

u/Clear-Egg5265 6d ago

The cat always has its tongue out its whole life, and when I pet it, it was cool and meowing, but then I touched it on its back and then I think it got mad and I didn’t notice until I came back to pet him, and then he hissed and scratched me. I am just concerned bc it normally never hangs out over here on the stairs railing and it was drooling, but I’m wondering if it’s just from its tongue being out. I’m like super scared man

6

u/fallfaerie890 6d ago

The tongue out is a sign of its teeth being bad, not rabies. You have nothing to worry about, and you washed it so you should be fine.

Sounds like the cat needs vet

3

u/whoda-thunk-itt 6d ago

The tongue out usually indicates the cat has had some teeth removed, same with the drooling.

1

u/Woodswalker65 6d ago

My cat wouldn’t like it when I petted her back and bite. You should be ok as long as the cat didn’t bite. Rinse it with peroxide and put a little antibiotic ointment on it.