My cat licked a sick cat. Could he get rabies if his vaccine is old?

Question

My cat has had a rabies shot 5 years ago, he licked the sick cats eye. The sick cat may have rabies and is surrendered and in about to be tested for rabies. Should I be concerned? Working on getting booster shots this week. The sick cat was a barn cat and had a rabies vaccination maybe 18 months ago. I got bit by it 4 days ago on my left hand, I have no fever or other signs and bite spot just irritated from wearing dirty gloves on a farm. Still worried for my other kitty's.

Sara Farmer, DVM · Accepted Answer

If the sick cat's eye was ruptured or if there's any chance your cat had contact with the sick cats saliva (which I would think would be possible if the cat was allowing your cat to lick it's eye) then there is potential for exposure. Unfortunately there is no post-exposure vaccination protocol that prevents rabies in cats - all you can do is booster the vaccine and then quarantine your cat as recommended by animal control (be sure to give all details to the vet when you are updating the rabies vaccine). This is why keeping up with annual rabies vaccination is so important. You should know soon whether or not the sick cat had rabies - if it did not then you may not need to continue quarantine for your cat.

My cat licked a sick cat. Could he get rabies if his vaccine is old?

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