Last night, my sister was feeding some outdoor stray kittens, and one of them, about three months old, accidentally bit her finger. We took her to the emergency room, where the doctor gave her a tetanus shot and a rabies shot. The doctor mentioned it’s standard procedure for bites from unvaccinated stray animals. Is this a good or bad outcome? I could really use some advice.
I recommend that if she starts feeling unwell, she should go back to the doctor. It might help to bring the kitten along to show the medical team.
She seems fine right now. Just keep the wound clean to prevent infection.
This is a good thing! That kitten probably doesn’t have a rabies vaccine, and rabies can be fatal. The only way to know for sure is to euthanize the cat and test its brain, which is why getting the vaccine is the safest option.
Your sister should follow up with her regular doctor to see if there are any additional shots she needs.
As for the kittens, consider bringing them to a shelter or contacting animal control to see if they offer programs for vaccinating and releasing or spaying/neutering and releasing. Many areas have those services, but it varies by state.