DOI: 10.55994/ejcc.1944675 ISSN: 2667-8721

Indirect Rabies Exposure via Oral Suction of a Cat Bite: A Case Report

Murat Duyan, Mehmet Akçimen, Dilek Soydam Güven, Dilara Balcı, Ali Sarıdaş
Show PDF Cite
Introduction: Rabies is almost invariably fatal after the onset of clinical disease. Although bites and scratches are the usual routes of transmission, mucosal contact with potentially infectious saliva is also considered a severe exposure requiring post-exposure prophylaxis. Case Presentation: A 19-year-old woman presented to the emergency department after being bitten on the right hand by an unowned stray cat that could not be located for observation. During history taking, it was learned that her father had immediately performed oral suction on the bite wound as a traditional first-aid attempt. The patient was managed for a Category III exposure. Because the father's oral mucosa had directly contacted a wound potentially contaminated with cat saliva, he was also evaluated as having a secondary mucosal exposure. Rabies post-exposure prophylaxis was initiated for both individuals after infectious diseases consultation. No complications were observed during follow-up. Conclusion: This case highlights that unconventional wound interventions may create secondary rabies exposure. Emergency physicians should specifically ask about prehospital first-aid practices and should recognize mucosal contamination as a potential indication for prophylaxis when the source animal is unavailable.

More from our Archive