What should you know about feline rabies?

Rabies affects the nervous system and is transmitted when saliva from an infected mammal enters broken skin or mucous membranes. A bite is a recognised exposure, but scratches contaminated with saliva can also matter. A cat’s appearance cannot reliably rule rabies in or out, and symptoms may appear only after an interval. Do not wait for symptoms in yourself or the animal before seeking guidance. The public-health team may assess the animal, the wound, and the circumstances of contact.

Wash the wound immediately with soap and running water, taking care not to scrub deeply or close the wound yourself. Avoid touching your eyes or mouth after handling the animal. Contact urgent medical services or a public-health service promptly and explain when the exposure occurred, where the wound is, and whether saliva contacted broken skin. If it is safe, record information about the cat without attempting to catch or restrain it.

Seek urgent advice after any bite, scratch, or saliva contact involving broken skin, particularly when the animal is stray, unavailable for observation, behaving unusually, or cannot be confirmed as vaccinated. Go to emergency care for heavy bleeding, a deep wound, injury to the face or hand, or signs of infection. Do not delay while waiting to see whether the cat becomes unwell.

Ask whether the exposure requires rabies post-exposure prophylaxis, tetanus care, antibiotics, or wound review. Tell the clinician whether the cat can be safely identified, whether its vaccination history is known, and whether saliva touched your eyes, mouth, or broken skin.