One of my cats, Steve, died today, either from poisoning or rabies. Actually, he was euthanized, but was almost dead when Dr Rea did it. I took his body to the Pasteur center here, where they'll analyze a piece of his brain. I'll get the results tomorrow. Steve was vaccinated, along w all of my animals, against rabies a few months ago, and by a guy who says he uses only the best vaccines. None of us were bitten. I touched Steve's mouth w the end of my finger, testing to see if he wd drink. Dr Rea'd asked me to see if he drank and how he drank, but forgot to tell me to avoid contact w saliva. No cuts etc on my fingertip, and I doubt that I touched my eyes, nose, etc., during the several moments between seeing if he wd drink and getting Rhea's text to avoid contact w saliva, but I certainly could have. I am exasperated, as you can imagine. My now-suspended animal worker, Abera, got scratched by Steve on Sat (today = Tues), Rea palpated a hurt leg of S's on Sat, and Balcha picked Steve up and put him in a carrying crate for me today. Rea is adamant that we must all have the treatment if the case turns out to have been rabies. The vet who took the body in and recorded the info was equally adamant that none of us need any treatment even if Steve had rabies. What do you think? Some info abt non-bite transmission of rabies: _____ Rabies is transmitted through saliva - primarily via bite wounds. But it can also be spread by infected saliva entering an open cut or wound, or contacting a mucous membrane, such as those in the mouth, nasal cavity or eyes. [Posted in FML 7477]