Rabies

[darkhorse]

Can a cat, that is not showing symptoms of rabies still infect a person if it has been exposed? In other words, does the virus need to be 'active'(obvious) to transmit to a person?

I'm in the middle of an odd situation, and while I've contacted many heath professionals, this was one question that noone was sure of.

A cat at a farm I teach at was put down with suspicion of rabies I did not touch this cat/come into contact with it. However, the day before this cat presented with symptoms(which are so vague, it could be anything), I was playing with it's littermate--I've seen the two mututally groom each other, so saliva contact was definite--and came into contact with it's littermate's saliva. I had an open cut(small scratch) on my hand. I also, after wiping my hands off, later on, removed a hair from my mouth(different hand). While the cat that was put down has been suspected being poisoned by rat poisoning, I'm still not sure. They aren't telling the Public Heath Dept about this, which to me seems a bit sketchy, and I'm in a situation where if it was rabies I should be informed for my own health, as well as others who have come into direct contact with the affected cat.

The cat's only symptoms happened within 1/2 days. No bite marks on affected cat/wounds. Cat presented with wandering/walking/staggering in a circle and unfocused eyes. NO froathing at the mouth. The evening I saw this cat, he was fine, drinking and playing in the barn isles. Currently, the cat I was in contact with is showing no signs/symptoms and is fine.

Autopsy is being performed tomorrow--results will be back in a few days. My Dr. is away on vacation, so I'm not sure what my next step is.

Thanks
email responses to [moderator note: e-mail address has been removed] is also welcome.

[stulchinsky]

Hello, this is a forum moderator responding. Although I do not have a direct answer to your question, I would like to refer you to the following physician-developed and -monitored content for additional information:
http://www.animalhealthchannel.com/rabies/index.shtml#tra
http://www.animalhealthchannel.com/rabies/diagnosis.shtml

Thank you for participating in the forum!