[] Reports estimate 4.5 million dog bites per year and approximately 800,000 receive medical attention. If a cat scratches or bites you, you need to act quickly to prevent infections. Last Updated: September 7, 2019 Contact a doctor if it begins to get infected. It can be just a scratch or a cut that is as tiny as a paper cut.. A large scrape, abrasion, or cut might happen because of a fall, accident, or trauma. Every dollar contributed enables us to keep providing high-quality how-to help to people like you. Cat bites only account for 10-15% of animal bites reported by emergency rooms, but they pose a much greater risk of infection. Dr. Matsko earned a Research Writing Certification from the American Medical Writers Association (AMWA) in 2016 and a Medical Writing & Editing Certification from the University of Chicago in 2017. Dry the wound. You might want to get a tetanus shot, or just have it looked by a professional. Continue applying pressure until the bleeding stops. Cleveland Clinic © 1995-2021. Cat Scratch Fever . This disease, an inflammatory infection that targets the gray matter of the cat’s brain and central nervous system, is usually only transferred if your cat is bitten by another carrier of the disease. Why cat bites can be dangerous. Keep the wound bandaged until you see your doctor. If there is a chance you were infected with rabies, the doctor will vaccinate you against the infection. Then, apply presure with a clean towel to the injured area to stop any bleeding. If you contract the campylobacter infection, symptoms may include stomach cramps, fever, nausea and diarrhea. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. Even if the cat looked healthy, you should still go to the doctor if you can confirm that the cat had its shots. Your skin may be torn from your body. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. Although cat bite wounds can be small and may not bleed excessively, they are prone to **developing serious infections. A cat with an abscess will often have a fever, even if the abscess has ruptured and drained to the outside of the body. Wrap it in a moist and warm washcloth for 30 minutes. Apply a sterile bandage to the wound. Go to the doctor immediately if the cat is wild, feral, or you can’t confirm that it was up-to-date on its shots. Warning: this process can take months or years, and even then, wounds are only 80-85% as strong as they were, pre-injury. She bit me and left a scratch bite. Policy. These bites heal over quickly, which causes the bacteria to get trapped under the skin. This poultice helps draw out infectious toxins and speed up the healing of the infected wound. Cats are loved and respected by many cultures across the world. Should I still see a doctor? Use a soft towel to dry the area gently, but don‘t rub because the increased blood circulation can make the possible infection spread more quickly through the surrounding tissue. A compromised immune system condition can be serious. A happy pup, for one! They can coil around you alluringly — but they also can scratch, and bite. Cat bites are dangerous to you and other pets. Then, wrap the wound in a sterile bandage. Talk to a doctor before using these medications on infants or if you are pregnant. This will help remove dirt and bacteria from the inside of the wound. I have a deep wound from a cat's fang. Antibiotics will likely be given by your vet to treat the abscess. If there is any risk of rabies infection, the health care provider will recommend anti-rabies treatment. For advice from our Medical co-author, like how to prevent future cat bites, scroll down! Animal bites … I washed it and poured hydrogen peroxide on it. Cat bites tend to be small puncture wounds that frequently become infected. This can help promote faster healing of the injury. Up to 75 percent of cat bites introduce harmful bacteria into the body, including Staphylococcus, Streptococcus, and Pasteurella species. I, "After searching several sites that were a total waste, I found your site with lots of information and pictures. Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. It is not to be taken lightly. The dangers of cat bites. First, you want to try to flush out as much bacteria as possible and then irrigate the wound with water. Indeed, an untreated abscess can sometimes lead to deeper and more widespread infection. If the cat is a pet, consult the owner about whether the cat is up-to-date on its shots. I didn't know she was hungry. If it has pierced the skin, yes. Dog bites vary from simple puncture wounds to deep, wide gashes. Become pilo erect, in which the fur stands up, making the cat look bigger than usual, If she is held when she is struggling to get away. Find out what to do. One of the most common ointment agents is Baneocin, a bactericidal drug. In this scenario, yes you should. References After a cat bite, the skin usually closes rapidly over the bite and may trap microorganisms. Symptoms of Possible Complications of Cat Bites. These adorable, fluffy creatures provide emotional support for their owners and can help improve moods in the form of animal therapy. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. I have a minor cat bite on my finger. Bite wounds are a major cause of injuries, especially in animals that spend a lot of time outdoors. What should you know about proper aftercare following surgery on a cat bite injury? This article was co-authored by Chris M. Matsko, MD. There was some drainage of blood and a clear fluid the first day, but now it's closed and shows no sign of infection. But even if your cat has all her shots, it is important to take care of the wound and monitor it closely so you will notice immediately if it starts to get infected. Repeat the process, gently squeezing the bite to help the blood flow and push out any dirt left inside the wound. Wash the wound with a large amount of water for 5 minutes. I strongly recommend going back to the ... Because it was a puncture instead of a cut, thats why the healing process is much longer. You have an infection and need to go back to the doctor or at least get back on those antibiotics and don't miss a dose!! The cat isn't vaccinated and my wound isn't swelling. The most common organism found in infected cat bite wounds is Pasteurella multocida. Instead of allowing your cat to wrestle with your hands or feet, drag a string and let the cat chase that instead. Cultures are often taken of puncture wounds to determine the best antibiotic treatment. At this point, it is likely to look raw and may no longer be actively draining pus. Regardless of how a cat bite happens, it is not something to take lightly. The clay will extract the impurities from the wound and the herbs will help the healing. 24 hours later there was extreme swelling redness and pain cat bite side effects infected cat bite Cat bite and there is a hole in the bottom of my thumb Burning Feeling, Looks Like a Bite got bit by a cat You can use a mild soap to clean the wound. ", "I was bitten by a cat, so I searched it on wikiHow and I'm satisfied with what I read.". Their razor-sharp teeth and nails can puncture deeply, sometimes penetrating tissues, ligaments and tendons. Tetanus. Most pet cats are pretty friendly. If you think that your cat may have an abscess, take your cat to a veterinarian for wound care and antibiotics. I got rabies and tetanus shots. In 2016, there were approximately 60 million pet dogs and 47 million pet cats in the United States. A wound is a cut or opening in the skin. Please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. Treatment for cat bites — how to prevent cat bite infections “Because cat bites carry the risk of infection, they shouldn’t be taken lightly,” Dawn Quinn, a registered nurse, advises. “You may need intravenous, or through the vein, antibiotics or, in some cases, you may even need to be hospitalized.”. Animal bite injuries range from shallow cuts to deep, life-threatening wounds. Problem with cat bite Cat bite getting worse Cat bite infected and numbness in the thumb I was bitten by my own cat on the thumb. You have successfully subscribed to our newsletter. Inflammation This is the first stage the journey to healing cat … Cat Bite, extreme pain, swelling, numbess How long does it take for foot stress fracture to heal? Gently squeeze the bite to help the blood flow. The cat could still have been carrying a disease, but just not have been symptomatic. Coronavirus: Now contacting patients to schedule COVID-19 vaccine appointments. One of the most common causes is a bite from another animal. Prescribe antibiotics, such as Augmentin, if there’s an infection concern. It's not that deep. Mostly, the cat. Normally, cat fights result in either gapped skin tears or deep puncture wounds from either the teeth or claws. Apply the mix on the cat bite and the surrounding area and leave it until the clay dries. Always read and follow the manufacturer’s instructions. He holds a BS in Nutritional Science from Cornell University and an MD from the Temple University School of Medicine in 2007. However, they can also bite or scratch if spooked or if they get defensive.  Cats have long fangs, so their bites can be deep and prone to infection.

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