Scratching and bleeding by an unvaccinated cat is likely to be infected with rabies virus, and scratching and bleeding by a vaccinated cat is less likely to be infected. Therefore, whether a cat scratching and bleeding without an injection is okay depends on whether the cat is carrying the rabies virus or has been vaccinated. Bleeding from cat scratching is a tertiary exposure and requires immediate flushing of the wound with running water and soap and water, disinfection with iodophor, and a visit to the hospital or CDC for rabies vaccination and rabies immunoglobulin as soon as possible. Since cats that have not been vaccinated against rabies for cats may contain rabies virus in their saliva, cats often lick their paws and may carry rabies virus on their paws. In addition, although domesticated cats are regularly vaccinated against rabies for cats, rabies vaccination is usually recommended as well for added prevention. If the wound is deep, a tetanus antitoxin injection is also required to prevent tetanus. It is recommended to go to the CDC for vaccination within 24 hours after being scratched and bleeding by a cat and to disinfect the wound regularly to maintain good hygiene and avoid wound inflammation. With systematic treatment, rabies virus infection can usually be avoided and the wound will heal quickly without secondary bacterial infection.