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Doubt regarding rabies.
A cat playfully scratched me on June 23rd. It looked healthy and ate well during that time. There was no bleeding or marks at the scratch site. I immediately washed it with soap and water. I got the first rabies vaccine on July5th. Is it too late? I have not seen the cat after this so far.
Answers (28)
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Get vaccination done
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I can definitely help you over this being a general physician
You can consult with me online on Practo or Contact on eight three one eight four six nine eight eight six for proper diagnosis, conclusion and management
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Risk Assessment
Type of exposure: Category II (scratch without bleeding)
→ Moderate risk, rabies vaccine is recommended.
Delay of 12 days before first dose: Not ideal, but not useless — vaccination is still advised and beneficial even after a delay if the person remains asymptomatic.
Next Steps
✅ What You Should Do Now
1. Complete the full course of vaccination:
Since you've already started on July 5th, follow the Essen regimen:
Days 0, 3, 7, 14, and 28 (you've already taken Day 0).
2. No need for Rabies Immunoglobulin (RIG):
Since it was only a scratch without bleeding, and it's been 12 days, RIG isn't required now.
Health Tips
⚠️ Important Notes
If the cat remained healthy for at least 10 days after the scratch, then rabies transmission is unlikely.
Since the cat is now missing, we assume the worst to be safe — so completing vaccination is crucial.
Watch for symptoms: If you develop any unusual neurological symptoms (tingling at the site, headache, confusion, etc.), seek emergency care immediately — but this is extremely rare after a delayed but completed vaccine course.
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Since there were absolutely no scratch marks and absolutely no bleeding this is a Category I exposure and requires no post exposure prophylaxis. Category I entails just nibbling and licks on intact skin.
If there were any scratch marks or if there were any licks on the mucus membrane or broken skin then its Category II exposure, requires the complete course.
Next Steps
It's necessary to start prophylaxis immediately on Category II exposure. However since you had a Category I exposure according to your statement you did not need it at all.
Health Tips
You can complete the course as a pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). Since the first dose was likely given unnecessarily, completing the full course would provide long-term protection against future potential exposures for a period of years (booster may be needed later if exposed), especially since you would feel significantly anxious or unprotected if you stopped.
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You took the vaccine is positive to me early is definitely better. But anyway you r on vaccination is best.
U r safe at least.
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Can help you, kindly consult and provide detailed history for proper diagnosis and further management
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Though it's a little late, complete the vaccine series.A superficial scratch is unlikely to cause infection.
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Its ok, take globulin too
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Need few more details
Kindly connect.
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Yes u need to complete the full course of vaccination and get the schedule card signed from hospital so you are aware about the next dosing.
Health Tips
complete course, relax and do not panic
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Hello . To complete the vaccination schedule. Better late than never . Hope it helped .
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Hello,
Take balanced diet. For prescription please pay and consult or contact me at WhatsApp at +9195950eight7399.
Thanks.
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Never too late.
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Vaccination has been started late, but you can complete the schedule.
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Site of injury is important. Since no marks you are at safe zone. Get your vaccination done.
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Dr. Manoj Kumar
General Physician
10 yrs exp
Dehradun
Need few more details
Kindly consult
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Dr. Gaurav Jaiswal
General Physician
6 yrs exp
Jhansi
Avoid fried food and spicy food
Water intake more
Green leafy vegetables and fruits
Fiber meal
Do connect and consult
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Dr. Sachin Bhiwaji Sanap
General Practitioner
7 yrs exp
Hingoli
need more information
kindly consult
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Dr. Pragati Bhole
Internal Medicine
25 yrs exp
Nagpur
For detailed evaluation of your case/further queries /guidance/management plan,whatsapp nine three seven zero two eight four three seven six or connect via Practo.
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Dr. Rajender Sharma
Paediatric Intensivist
48 yrs exp
Delhi
Took full course of anti rabies vaccine
Next Steps
Wait& watch
Health Tips
Rabies vaccination is answer
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Dr. V R Tindwani
Family Physician
51 yrs exp
Ahmedabad
No bleeding no scratch marks even, and healthy cat till now , I feel nothing need be done relax!!
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Dr. Jyoti Singh
General Physician
7 yrs exp
Meerut
Complete the course.
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Dr. Yuvraj Arora Monga
General Physician
28 yrs exp
Delhi
Dear Practo User.
Thanks for sending across your query.
Since the scratch occurred on June 23rd and the first rabies vaccine was given on July 5th (12 days later), it's outside the ideal window. However, continuing the full vaccine course is still recommended for protection.
Next Steps
For further details you can consult with me in Dr. Monga medi clinic or consult me directly by taking a consultation on Practo.
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Dr. Chaithra H
General Physician
5 yrs exp
Bangalore
You have started late.
But you can complete vaccination schedule.
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Dr. Vaibhav Kumar
General Physician
4 yrs exp
Asansol
Since there wasn't any Wound Mark or Bleeding that means the Skin was intact, thus there is no indication for Rabies Vaccination, but since you have already started it, Complete the Full Regime.
Hope this Helps
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Dr. Shaurya Patel
General Physician
3 yrs exp
Gandhinagar
Thank you for your question.
Even though the scratch appeared minor and the cat seemed healthy, rabies is a fatal disease and any potential exposure should be taken seriously.
Since the scratch occurred on June 23rd and the first rabies vaccine was taken on July 5th (12 days later), this is considered delayed post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP).
Here’s what you need to know:
- Rabies virus incubation in humans typically ranges from 1 to 3 months, but it can vary.
- Since there was no bleeding and you washed the area immediately, the risk is likely low, but not zero—especially since the cat’s current status is unknown.
- Post-exposure rabies vaccination is still advisable in such cases, even if delayed, and you have done the right thing by starting it.
Next Steps
- Continue the full course of rabies vaccination as advised (usually Days 0, 3, 7, and 14 or 28).
- Monitor yourself for any unusual symptoms.
- If you develop any symptoms (fever, tingling, or unusual sensations near the scratch), seek immediate medical attention.
- If the cat reappears and is alive and healthy 10 days after the incident, the risk is negligible.
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Dr. Anmol Kudal
General Physician
4 yrs exp
Nashik
Hello if there is no bleeding from scratching then nothing to worry
You complete your vaccine schedule
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