I've been bitten by a stray cat that's still alive, with no visible marks or bleeding, and I completed a rabies vaccination series a while back, what should I do now?

Cat Bite Management: No Visible Wound, Previously Vaccinated, Cat Still Alive

You do not need rabies post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) in this situation, but you should monitor the cat for 10 days and ensure proper wound care. 1, 2

Why You Don't Need Rabies PEP

The 10-day observation rule is your safety net here. Since the cat is still alive and healthy after "some time" has passed, rabies can be effectively ruled out. 1, 2

• A cat that bites a person should be confined and observed for 10 days - if the cat remains healthy during this period, it was not shedding rabies virus at the time of the bite. 1
• Rabies virus is only excreted in saliva for a few days before illness or death in cats, dogs, and ferrets - meaning if your cat is still alive and healthy days after the bite, it definitively was not rabid when it bit you. 1
• Your previous rabies vaccination series provides additional protection - previously vaccinated individuals who are exposed only need vaccine (not immunoglobulin), and only if there's actual rabies risk. 2

What You Should Do Now

Immediate Actions

• Thoroughly wash the bite area with soap and copious water for 15 minutes, even without visible marks - microabrasions can occur without visible injury. 2
• Apply an iodine-containing antiseptic to the area if available. 2

Cat Observation Protocol

• Continue monitoring the cat daily for the full 10-day period from the time of the bite - any signs of illness (lethargy, behavior changes, aggression, paralysis, excessive salivation) must be reported immediately to local health authorities. 1
• If the cat develops any signs of illness during observation, it should be evaluated by a veterinarian immediately and you should contact your physician about starting PEP. 1, 3
• If the cat remains healthy for 10 days, no rabies prophylaxis is needed. 1, 2

Infection Risk (Non-Rabies)

Cat bites carry the highest infection risk of all animal bites, even without visible puncture wounds. 4

Watch for Signs of Infection

• Monitor for redness, swelling, warmth, pain, or drainage over the next 24-72 hours - cat bites become infected in over 50% of cases due to Pasteurella multocida. 5
• Seek medical attention immediately if you develop fever, spreading redness, or increasing pain - these indicate bacterial infection requiring antibiotics. 4, 5
• Cat bites to the hand pose particularly high infection risk and often warrant prophylactic antibiotics even without visible wounds. 4

Critical Pitfalls to Avoid

• Don't assume "no blood = no risk" - cat teeth create deep puncture wounds that seal over quickly, trapping bacteria deep in tissues. 4, 5
• Don't delay reporting to local health authorities if the cat becomes ill during the observation period - this is a public health requirement. 3
• Don't give the cat rabies vaccine during the 10-day observation period - this can confuse clinical signs of rabies with vaccine side effects. 1, 3

When to Seek Immediate Medical Care

• If the cat dies, escapes, or cannot be observed for the full 10 days - you would need to start rabies PEP immediately. 2
• If you develop any signs of infection (redness, swelling, fever, drainage). 4
• If the cat shows any neurological signs (aggression, paralysis, excessive salivation, behavior changes). 3