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Tourist who contracted rabies from a cat bite in Turkey shares how her own dogs saved her life
A British woman is alive today because of the unusual behavior of her two pet dogs, who wouldn't stop sniffing a cat bite she sustained while on holiday in Turkey. Chloe Kay, 44, from Exeter, was enjoying a meal at a resort restaurant in Bodrum in September 2022 when the incident occurred.
The Cat Bite
Kay believes she startled a stray cat that was sitting under her table when she scraped her chair. "I didn't know it was there," she explained. "Animals with rabies tend to be more aggressive, and this cat just sunk its teeth into my heel. I only saw it when it ran off." Despite the pain and bleeding, Kay, who was on holiday with her youngest daughter, decided to catch her flight home, planning to seek treatment in the UK. She said that no one from the restaurant offered assistance.
The Dogs' Unusual Behavior
Back home, Kay's Staffordshire Terrier-Boxer dogs, Zeus and Bronson, exhibited strange behavior. They stayed by her side all night, constantly sniffing the bite. "
They wouldn't let it lie," Kay recalled. "It was just constant sniffing, and they were really unsettled. Looking back, I feel they were clearly trying to tell me something." This prompted her to call the NHS helpline, 111, which advised her to go to the hospital immediately.
Race Against Time
Unbeknownst to Kay, she was in a race against time. Rabies can spread to the brain and become lethal within hours. "If I had gone to bed for those two hours, it would have delayed any possible treatment even longer and probably proved fatal," she stated. Tests at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital confirmed she had rabies. She received a vaccine and treatment that was urgently flown in from Northampton.
Dogs Saved Her Life
Kay credits her dogs with saving her life. "If it wasn't for my dogs, I wouldn't have survived – they 100 per cent saved my life," she said. "When I pulled back the plaster, the wound was already going grey and rotting, and they cut away some of the flesh-eating bacteria." She added, "I was stunned and in total shock. I can't explain what that was like, and it lasted for weeks as rabies can take three to 10 weeks to kill people." Kay noted that the hospital had never seen a case of rabies before, highlighting the rarity of the disease in the UK.

Lasting Impact
The ordeal has had a lasting impact on Kay's life. She has been left with nerve damage and is constantly in pain, forcing her to give up her job as a support worker. She now runs a hair salon to make ends meet. Due to financial difficulties, Kay lost her home and had to rehome one of her dogs, Bronson, a decision that has deeply affected her.
Grateful to be Alive
Despite the hardships, Kay is grateful to be alive. "I just count myself lucky I'm still here," she said. "I've never been a big fan of cats – and I'm certainly not one now."
Rabies: Key Facts
- Transmission: Rabies is typically transmitted through the saliva of infected animals, usually via a bite or scratch.
- Symptoms: Initial symptoms can include fever, headache, and general weakness or discomfort. As the disease progresses, neurological symptoms such as insomnia, anxiety, confusion, paralysis, and hallucinations may develop.
- Prevention: Vaccination is highly effective in preventing rabies. Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP), which includes a series of vaccinations and sometimes rabies immunoglobulin, is crucial if someone is bitten or scratched by a potentially rabid animal.
- Global Distribution: Rabies is present worldwide, but is more common in some regions, particularly in parts of Asia and Africa.
- Importance of Seeking Medical Attention: If bitten or scratched by an animal, especially a stray or wild animal, it is essential to seek immediate medical attention.
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