Bit by stray kitten, how worried should I be about Rabies?

Question

So I was trying to get a ~10 week old kitten out from behind a dumpster, and the little guy bit me twice.

After getting him into the car and bringing him to the shelter, he appears to be simply a scared kitten with no real aggressive tendencies.

The shelter is going to hold him in quarantine for 10 days to keep an eye out for a rabies infection. 

Now, the question I have is that going to put me at a real risk if the cat does turn out to be rabid?

I know the incubation period is 2 weeks to a year for humans, and I can imagine the incubation period is less for cats, but I don't know for sure. 

I have done much reading, but found nothing about how worried I should be if we have the animal in question.

Any information would be great.

Jessie J · Accepted Answer

You shouldn't be too worried. There are less than 6 cases a year of rabies in the US. Cats aren't a major carrier for the disease, so you are relatively safe. If you'd been bitten or scratched by a raccoon or bat it'd be different. 

The reason they quarantined the cat is because it's protocol. They have to do it, and it's not only just for rabies. They do it for many reasons, but if you feel the need, get everything checked by a doctor. Who knows, cat scratch fever could be more likely. the bacteria is carried by kittens most often.

amandarez73 · Answer

No - if the cat turns out to be rabid, you still have plenty of time to be vaccinated even after the quarantine period.

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Bit by stray kitten, how worried should I be about Rabies?

2 Answers