So a stray cat bit me

[a_Vertigo_Guy]

This happened Saturday evening. Stray kittie is hangin out on my patio. Was friendly, but cautious. Did the whole headbutting, rolling over, all the behaviors of that of a friendly cat. Then it tried to get inside. I pushed it out and it hissed. Definitely not comin inside now but as I tried to close the door it more forcefully tried to get in so in reflex I grabbed it (I know, I know...!) and it bit me on the wrist. Well that cat is long gone needless to say.

Next however, Ive never been bitten by a potentially rabid animal before ever. Ive already seen a family doctor who gave me a tetanus shot along with antibiotics. Have another doctor in the family that vehemently insists I start getting the rabies series of shots immediately. Makes sense of course. Only Im not sure where to go and I currently dont have health insurance (enrollment comes soon).

So my question is, while its all entirely possible this cat has rabies, how soon does all the erratic behavior begin to manifest? Im familiar with the symptoms of rabies but only the very obvious ones. I havent seen anything telling about the very early stages when an animal has them. This animal came right up to me and was friendly until I grabbed it so it may have been someones pet once. No outright stray cats ever let a human get near them.

Anything anyone can tell me? And dont spare me my feelings, I know Im in some deep crap but I just want some.....assurances I guess. Hate to have to spend all that money which I dont have treating something I may not even have. I know a life is priceless but while Im coherent I need to be realistic as well.

Thanks!

Chris

[fshfrk]

Odd's are very small but. If we are wrong it's your life. Call a vet or another doctor. Cat's are crazy! Me I would not do anything. WTFUB. Chris!

[newb]

did you kill the cat??? if so, dont worry I would have as well...you could have the body checked for rabies right???

[a_Vertigo_Guy]

When I pulled if off my arm, I brought it up by the scruff and smashed its face into the ground then I punched it in the ***. I thought later I probably shouldve killed it so they could see for sure if it got rabies. Then I wouldnt be asking about this! Oh and by the time rabies manifests in a person, you're a dead man walking.

[fshfrk]

Is'nt rabbies a summer disease?

[a_Vertigo_Guy]

Rabies is frothing at the mouth crazy type animals. But thats the extreme symptoms. This cat didnt show, otherwise wouldnt have touched it.

[Nickintex]

I was gonna say something, but I do not approve of beating a cat or dog, despite the circumstance.

[a_Vertigo_Guy]

I doubt you would be acting as such if you were the one bitten Nick.

[Nickintex]

I work at a veterinary clinic. Over 19 years I have been bitten and scratched MANY times. Some where I did have to seek medical help (workers comp case).

[Nickintex]

PM sent.

[Mzungu]

Do the symptoms of rabies include talking in fragments of sentences with only the important words voiced? )

Oh, wait, that was before the cat bit you.

Chris, I would err on the side of caution here. Did you get a quote for how much the rabies shots would be without insurance?

[a_Vertigo_Guy]

Not yet MB, my Dr. relative is working on finding that info out for me. ADP needs to frickin hurry up sending out our packets. They said March but there aint gonna be anymore March soon.

[TaTeR ToT]

dude i dont care what it costs, i would get the shots immediatly, also, go onto webmd.com and see if you can find info on the early symtoms.

[Nickintex]

dude i dont care what it costs, i would get the shots immediately, also, go onto webmd.com and see if you can find info on the early symptoms.

I would trust the CDC over some website that promotes self diagnosis.

http://cdc.gov/rabies/

[cichlid1409]

When I pulled if off my arm, I brought it up by the scruff and smashed its face into the ground then I punched it in the ***. I thought later I probably shouldve killed it so they could see for sure if it got rabies. Then I wouldnt be asking about this! Oh and by the time rabies manifests in a person, you're a dead man walking.

too bad you didn't catch it. then the vet could have killed it and tested its brains