Download FREE Practo app
Get ₹200 HealthCash
Cat scratch
Yesterday, my cat scratched my hand while I was putting a belt around her neck. She is not vaccinated. The wound is not very deep, but the skin was torn and there was no bleeding. Should I take a tetanus and rabies injection?
Answers (23)
Get your queries answered instantly with Care AI FREE
20000+ health queries resolved in last month
Avoid fried and spicy food
Water intake more
Fiber meal
Do connect and consult
Answered
Flag this answer
Let others know if this answer was helpful
Was this answer helpful?
YES
NO
Didn't find the answer you are looking for?
Talk to experienced doctor online and get your health questions answered in just 5 minutes.
+158
Yess TT and rabies vaccine needed .don't worry take both vaccine with proper schedule and stay stress free
Answered
Flag this answer
Let others know if this answer was helpful
Was this answer helpful?
YES
NO
Hi dear,
Yes you will need rabies and tetanus vaccination both .
Health Tips
have a healthy life 😊
Answered
Flag this answer
Let others know if this answer was helpful
Was this answer helpful?
YES
NO
Please contact me throgh wtsp nine zero seven two two zero seven zero nine three
Answered
Flag this answer
Let others know if this answer was helpful
Was this answer helpful?
YES
NO
Can help you, kindly consult and provide detailed history for proper diagnosis and further management
Answered
Flag this answer
Let others know if this answer was helpful
Was this answer helpful?
YES
NO
Please consult a doctor you must take 2 doses of vaccine
Answered
Flag this answer
Let others know if this answer was helpful
Was this answer helpful?
YES
NO
You need to take vaccination
Answered
Flag this answer
Let others know if this answer was helpful
Was this answer helpful?
YES
NO
Enough scratch.
U need arv on. 0, 3 7, 28 days as cat is unvaccinate. U r at risk of rabies.
I j tt one ample intramuscular in deltoid reason.
Answered
Flag this answer
Let others know if this answer was helpful
Was this answer helpful?
YES
NO
The scratch looks superficial, but since the cat is not vaccinated, you should wash the wound well with soap and water and consult nearby hospital for rabies vaccine advice. Tetanus may also be needed if not taken in last 5 years.
Please consult me so I can guide you properly about further treatment.
Answered
Flag this answer
Let others know if this answer was helpful
Was this answer helpful?
YES
NO
Yes, you need to take both vaccine. Don't take risk , go for vaccination.
Answered
Flag this answer
Let others know if this answer was helpful
Was this answer helpful?
YES
NO
Yes you should be vaccinated to be at a safe side
Next Steps
Book an appointment with me and will consult about it in detail
Answered
Flag this answer
Let others know if this answer was helpful
Was this answer helpful?
YES
NO
Please consult online and get adequate treatment .
Answered
Flag this answer
Let others know if this answer was helpful
Was this answer helpful?
YES
NO
Need few more details for proper understanding of your issue.
You can consult with me online on Practo or whatsapp on eight three one eight four six nine eight eight six for proper diagnosis, conclusion and management
Answered
Flag this answer
Let others know if this answer was helpful
Was this answer helpful?
YES
NO
Yes tetanus +Rabies vaccination is recommended.
You will need:
Day 0 (today)
Day 3
Day 7
Day 14
(4-dose schedule as per current guidelines) Rabies Immunoglobulin (RIG) is NOT required because there was no bleeding and this is not Category III.
Next Steps
the cat remains healthy and normal for 10 days, rabies risk becomes negligible. But vaccination should be started without waiting.
Health Tips
Fever Increasing redness, swelling, pus (secondary bacterial infection) Cat showing abnormal behavior, aggression, excessive salivation
Answered
Flag this answer
1/1 people found this helpful
Was this answer helpful?
YES
NO
You need to take vaccine
Answered
Flag this answer
Let others know if this answer was helpful
Was this answer helpful?
YES
NO
Dr. Sohan Kulria
General Physician
5 yrs exp
Firozabad
If you want to discuss your problem in more detail, feel free to message me on WhatsApp at nine one one nine two five five six nine nine for a detailed free discussion
Answered
Flag this answer
Let others know if this answer was helpful
Was this answer helpful?
YES
NO
Dr. Kamal Kumar
General Physician
7 yrs exp
Rewari
Yes — in this situation both tetanus and anti-rabies vaccination are recommended.
Because:
✅ The cat is not vaccinated
✅ Skin was broken (skin torn) even though bleeding was minimal
✅ Cat scratches can transmit rabies through saliva on claws
What you should do
1️⃣ Immediately wash the wound with soap and running water for 10–15 minutes (very important step).
2️⃣ Apply povidone-iodine / Betadine or antiseptic.
3️⃣ Take Anti-rabies vaccine (ARV) course
4️⃣ Take Tetanus injection (TT) if not taken in last 5 years.
Next Steps
Observe the cat, If the cat remains healthy for 10 days, risk becomes extremely low — but you should still complete vaccine once started.
When to worry
Go to doctor urgently if:
• Redness spreading
• Pus
• Fever
• Swelling of lymph nodes
Health Tips
If you want, I can tell you exact vaccine schedule used in India (intradermal vs intramuscular
Answered
Flag this answer
Let others know if this answer was helpful
Was this answer helpful?
YES
NO
Dr. Pooja Joon
General Physician
2 yrs exp
Delhi
Yes tetanus and rabies vaccine need to be taken
Answered
Flag this answer
Let others know if this answer was helpful
Was this answer helpful?
YES
NO
Dr. Ashita Kuruvilla
General Practitioner
8 yrs exp
Kolkata
Few more details needed for further evaluation. Kindly consult
Answered
Flag this answer
Let others know if this answer was helpful
Was this answer helpful?
YES
NO
Dr. Chaithra H
General Physician
5 yrs exp
Bangalore
Take anti rabies vaccine
Answered
Flag this answer
1/1 people found this helpful
Was this answer helpful?
YES
NO
Dr. Sajid Ali
General Practitioner
4 yrs exp
Kanpur
Get T.T and rabies vaccine
Answered
Flag this answer
Let others know if this answer was helpful
Was this answer helpful?
YES
NO
Dr. Vetsa Sri Krishna Chaitanya
General Physician
7 yrs exp
Rajahmundry
Need a few more details please consult for further evaluation and treatment
Answered
Flag this answer
Let others know if this answer was helpful
Was this answer helpful?
YES
NO
Dr. Suraj Sharma
General Practitioner
4 yrs exp
Jaipur
Take vaccination
Answered
Flag this answer
Let others know if this answer was helpful
Was this answer helpful?
YES
NO
Articles you may like
Disclaimer : The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding your medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.
The question asked on this page is a free question. You can ask a free health question by downloading the Practo app.
Articles you may like
Tell us what's troubling you
Tell us what's troubling you
Disclaimer : The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding your medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.