am i at risk for rabies?

@aeiou12345 Welcome to Connect. I have read about rabies and understand your concern. No one on Connect can give you medical advice, and you should ask this question of a doctor. The information about rabies states that it is transmitted through saliva of an infected animal. Cats lick themselves and chew on their claws to sharpen them, so there may be dried saliva on their claws that could be transferred to you in a scratch. This is something that you can't afford to get wrong, because if there is any chance that rabies could have infected you, it can be fatal. I read that symptoms may begin even up to a year later, and once you have symptoms, vaccines will not help you. I don't know how soon a cat would show signs of rabies. Hopefully, you and your kitty are both OK, but there isn't a way to know for sure, and this can cause a lot of anxiety worrying about it. The professionals have to do the diagnosis, and that is why animals are quarantined if they bite someone to watch for symptoms.

I have cats and they do not go outside. I am required to have them vaccinated because if a rabid animal gets into the house, such as a mouse or squirrel, my cats could be infected and prevention is the only way to avoid it. I know it's expensive when you have to pay for a vet appointment. I suggest contact vet schools, animals shelters in your area, and your county and search online for low cost pet vaccinations. Animal shelters are working with vets who are likely charging lesser fees because of the compassion to help homeless animals. Shelters also sometimes run vaccination clinics. The vaccine isn't expensive, and the administration costs of registering with the county and services of the workers are the reason for the fees. Your kitty should be kept away from wildlife because of this risk, and they need less vaccines if they are only an indoor cat. My cats were just vaccinated with VIP Petcare Clinics who provide traveling services and have clinics in retail stores like Pet stores. They have a $20 off coupon now for a first time visit that you can print from their website. That cost me less than a vet visit for the shots. They did add some fees for sharps disposal. I called other services like this to check prices.

Rabies information
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/rabies/symptoms-causes/syc-20351821#overview
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/13848-rabies

In my US state rabies is not uncommon. Local citizens are in the news regularly due to being scratched or bitten by a rabid animal. It’s very risky to chance it and not seek medical care. I’d get medical advice immediately. Usually, the affected pet should be quarantined. They could infect other people and animals which is very serious. I can’t stress enough how serious of a health concern it is for an unvaccinated animal to bite or scratch anyone.

the cat seems fine though
being honest, the only reason the cat even scratched me is that i caught them by surprise and they jumped
also i'm in Missouri, for whatever that may be worth

I’m no expert, but signs of illness might not be apparent for some time. I’d get expert advice to be safe.

aeiou12345, you'd be at greater risk if you'd been bitten. There are about 40 cases of rabies per year in all of Missouri. You might call the health department to find out if there have been cases in your area of Missouri.

you asked a valid question and @jenniferhunter gave you valid resources and advice. No point in getting snippy re costs! You asked! There are so many resources within your own backyard starting with the health department. I have always found Vets kind, compassionate and willing to work with their clients. I'm sure there is assistance out there, just seek it out!

And those shots are expensive. I think you are asking about shots for yourself. Incubation for cats is usually fairly rapid seven days but can be delayed for a year. Incubation in humans is usually 2 to 3 months, but can be delayed for up to one year.
Rabies isn't transferred through dried saliva.
If you won't or can't be expending for the shot, watch the cat for signs. You might watch for suspicious symptoms on yourself. But my scratch would be itching right away if I read the earliest symptoms.
I hope luck will be on your side. And best wishes for your father's recovery.

I found this on-line: https://vetexplainspets.com/can-i-get-rabies-from-a-cat-scratch/
The article says: "According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), it is possible to contract rabies from a cat scratch, but it is extremely rare. Rabies is most commonly spread through the bite of an infected animal, as the virus is present in the saliva. However, in rare cases, the virus can also be present in the saliva of an infected animal and transmitted through a scratch or open wound."

Several years ago I lived in an area where there were a lot of bats flying around at night. I was outside at dusk and bent down to pick up something. When I stood up, a bat flew into my hair at the nape of my neck. It took about 30 seconds for me to use my hand to get it out of my hair. I saw my Dr immediately who suggested I get rabies shots since the bat may have scratched me and they are known carriers of rabies. I had to get several shots over a period of a few days, into a muscle. The shots were not painful. I would see your Dr. Personally, I would treat this seriously since rabies is fatal.

Also, I was at my vet's after this event and a lady came in and said she was bitten by a stray cat and was worried about rabies. The vet told her the only to determine whether the cat had rabies before showing symptoms would be an autopsy of brain tissue.

have you read the whole conversation, or just the main post? because if you'd read the whole conversation, you'd realize i'm not in a good financial situation atm. and to add a new detail to the conversation, i cannot drive, so even if i DID have the money, i can't go to the doctor without the aid of my father, who usually works long hours during the week.

to summarize: i not only cannot afford the shots, i also cannot go to the doctor unaided. i MIGHT be able to afford the shots in a few days... if i don't mind going hungry for the next MONTH.

@aeiou12345 Please understand that a public discussion like this is read by many people who do not post on Connect, and the conversation is beneficial to everyone. When discussions get longer, members may not see the entire conversation, and that's OK when responding to a post. As volunteers, members are taking the time to provide information that they feel is important and I thank them for that. Talking about rabies is a serious discussion, and I'm glad you asked the question. I always tailor my comments to be inclusive to everyone. It's your choice what you do in your situation. I have asked questions with a state health department and they were very helpful in understanding how much risk is involved regarding a possible encounter regarding rabies. There is no charge for asking questions there, and doctors do recommend making the call if you are concerned. You can describe the details and they can make a recommendation.