Brief Answer:
Need more history regarding the query

Detailed Answer:
Hi...Thank you for consulting in Health Care magic. Just seen the photograph of the small scratch on the finger. As such the scratch the appears absolutely very very minimal. First of all I want to assure you that there is no need to worry. I have a few questions for you -
1. Is the domestic kitten vaccinated?
2. Was the scratch provoked or unprovoked? Which means - was the kitten irritated and then it scratched or just like that it scratched.
3. Does the kitten stay at your home or it wanders out and comes back home only to feed?
4. Which country are you residing - this is needed because I need to know if your country is enzootic for rabies or not?
If you can get back to me with the answers, I would suggest appropriately and my professional opinion will be more valid. Meanwhile I take this opportunity to inform you what international guidelines say about such incidences with animals. In circumstances where a reliable history cannot be obtained, particularly in areas where rabies is enzootic, even though the animal is considered to be healthy at the time of exposure, such cases may be vaccinated as per post exposure prophylaxis, but the vaccination series can be stopped once the animal is well after 10 days. So I also urge you to observe the kitten for another 9 days diligently.
Hope my answer was helpful for you. I am happy to help any time. Further clarifications and consultations on Health care magic are welcome. If you do not have any clarifications, you can close the discussion and rate the answer. Wish your 9 year old good health.
Dr. Sumanth MBBS., DCH., DNB (Paed).,

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Brief Answer:
Advise for the animal contact

Detailed Answer:
Thank you for the trust in me. The issues here are -
1. You are staying in XXXXXXX which is enzootic for rabies, which means the possibility of animals with rabies exists.
2. The said animal is not vaccinated.
3. The animal does not stray out of the house - its a very good thing.
4. It was provoked scratch - its a good thing.

Keeping in mind the above issues, I suggest you do the following -
1. The usual vaccination schedule is 0,3,7,14,28 and then 90 days.
2. But in this special situation I suggest that you start the 1 dose today and 3rd dose on 26th of this month. Meanwhile before the 3rd dose comes, it will be more than 10 days and if the kitten is alive and healthy, you need not continue rest of the schedule.
3. I advice you to consult your local pediatrician and tell him all this issues and start the vaccination with intramuscular antirabies vaccine. There is no specific dose change or schedule change for adults and kids.

Happy to help anytime. I request you to get back to me regarding further proceedings as to what has happened as I would be interested, keeping in mind your kid's health. Wishing your 7year old a bright future.
Regards. - Dr. Sumanth MBBS., DCH., DNB (Paed).,

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Brief Answer:
Please vaccinate

Detailed Answer:
Yes please. The possibility of rabies with such scratches cannot be ruled out completely. Therefore it is better to vaccinate. I suggest you vaccinate 1st 2 doses as I suggested in my previous answer and hopefully your kid will not need any further doses if the kitten is well and without any problems.

I am advising this because there are cases of rabies reported out of very trivial animal contact too. I want you to understand that I am giving the benefit of doubt for the kid and I feel safety should be the first concern.

Happy to help anytime. I request you to get back to me regarding further proceedings as to what has happened as I would be interested, keeping in mind your kid's health. Wishing your 7year old a bright future.
Regards. - Dr. Sumanth MBBS., DCH., DNB (Paed).,

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