Do I need a rabies shot for an animal scratch?
Stray street animal scratches can transmit rabies, making a hospital evaluation necessary even if the skin was only broken superficially. Without prompt medical treatment, people risk missing critical post-exposure prophylaxis for a fatal virus they may not realize scratches can carry.
What people tried
Every workaround mentioned in the threads below. We haven’t tested any of them — and nobody here is claiming they worked.
- 1washing the wound thoroughly
- 2consulting a local doctor
- 3leaving it alone if the skin is unbroken
In their words
Unedited, most upvoted first, each linked to the thread it came from.
Where this came up
People with this problem also raised
- 5Accidentally cut my pet while grooming do they need the vet?
- 7What to do if a stray cat bites you and breaks the skin
- 3Where can an unvaccinated puppy safely go to the bathroom outside?
- 26How do I know if getting another pet is a mistake?
- 4Should I do subcutaneous fluids for my sick cat?
- 3Why does my cat have scabs after I get back from a trip?