Reply #5: Even without rabies, [View All]

[Crunchy Frog]

a cat's saliva is full of really nasty bacteria. You should at least make sure that your tetanus shot is up to date. I would contact your health care provider for further advice.

You might also check on the status of rabies in your state to find out if there's a significant risk. If the cat has been spending alot of time outdoors, there's no telling what it's come into contact with.

If possible, the cat should be caught and placed under observation. If the owner can be found, you can at least find out if it's been vaccinated.

It's rare in this country for a person to contract rabies, but it happens and it's definitely something you want to avoid.