Cat bite update...

[Aneroo, LPN]

The cat got away from animal control. Nice. It was a stray, no way to know if it was infected, he (animal control officer) said "it didn't have any symptoms of rabies". Cats can shed the virus for 5 days before they become symptomatic though!

The student DID NOT get any rabies prophylactic treatment. He did get abx for his arm, which is red and a little swollen, but not horrible, and he said it hasn't really changed in size/redness.

I told our SRO "I'm sending him home if he starts biting other students" I am assuming he went to his primary doctor b/c the ER would have given him the vax.

[NurseLoveJoy88, ASN, RN]

Wow. Thanks for the update. I remember how scary it was when one of my kiddos here at my school got bit by a dog !

Atleast we knew he had all of his shots.

[Purple_Scrubs, BSN, RN]

Wow, the cat got away from AC? Talk about having a will to live! He must be on his 9th life and knew to get the heck outta dodge!

Is rabies prevalent where you are. Here in TX it is not uncommon in wild animals, so a possum, skunk, or raccoon bite would get treated, but to my knowledge a dog/cat bite would not unless the animal was acting aggressive or had other s/s of rabies. That was just what I have heard, though. I am going to research it better now, because we do have lots of stray dogs and cats around my school. Thanks for sharing the update!