What do you do if your cat gets bit by a raccoon?

If your cat has gotten into a fight with an outdoor cat or another wild animal such as a raccoon, it’s important to make a veterinary appointment to get your cat tested for infections.

How can I tell if my cat has been bitten?

While all cats are different, it’s likely those suffering from a bite wound will display one or more of the following signs:

1. Lameness.
2. Crying or growling.
3. Reluctance to move.
4. Reluctance to be handled.
5. Pocket of pus on the skin forming an abscess.
6. Loss of appetite.
7. Lethargy.

How can you tell if a raccoon is rabid?

Signs of rabies in raccoons:

1. The animal will stagger around, looking like it is inebriated.
2. Its eyes will be “weeping” and it may be frothing at the mouth.
3. The raccoon’s facial fur will appear wet and tangled.
4. It will seem to be unaware of noises and will ignore movements that would normally scare it away.

Will a cat wound heal on its own?

Minor abrasions will usually heal on their own without human intervention. If your cat does suffer a small injury, keep an eye on the wound site and watch for signs of healing. If swelling, redness, or oozing occurs, it’s time to seek professional help.

Can my cat get rabies from a raccoon?

Rabies is a viral disease that specifically affects a cat’s central nervous system (CNS). The primary way the rabies virus is transmitted to cats in the United States is through a bite from a disease carrier: foxes, raccoons, skunks, and bats.

How soon does rabies show up in a cat?

After exposure to rabies, a cat will not immediately show signs. In fact, the time it takes for symptoms to present usually varies from three to eight weeks; however, it can be as short as 10 days and as long as a year.

Can you save a cat from a raccoon bite?

Although the prognosis is usually grim, at least an attempt can be made to try and save the cat. Not all raccoons are going to have rabies, but even if a cat sustains a bite or scratch from a rabid raccoon, it is crucial to seek medical help immediately to rule out a disease that can be fatal to both pets and humans alike.

What happens if a cat gets attacked by a raccoon?

If a cat encounters a raccoon, there is a large probability that the cat will attack the raccoon which will lead to a fight between the two animals. If your cat gets into a fight with a raccoon or sustains a bite or scratch from the raccoon, immediately take your cat to a veterinarian to be treated and tested for rabies.

Do raccoons eat kittens?

As mentioned, raccoons do not see cats as prey. However, you cannot put it past a raccoon to attack and eat kittens. They are opportunistic predators. Fortunately, most cats seem to understand the danger a raccoon poses.

Can cats get rabies from raccoons?

Cats can be great defenders against wild invaders, particularly rodents, but cats will also confront larger animals such as raccoons. The problem that can arise from this is the easy transmission of rabies from the raccoon to the cat.