This only means that most of them can be easily avoided. Infected cat bite treatment Antibiotics for cat bites. A compromised immune system condition can be serious. Talk to your neighbors, ask them about the overall health of their pet and vaccination. Pet Medications. It would be great if nothing happens after that, but there’s always the change that there could be an unknown infection brewing underneath the surface. Your child's healthcare provider will determine specific treatment for an animal bite. I didn't know she was hungry. Crouched body, tail down, dilated pupils. Gently squeeze the bite to help the blood flow. If your doctor prescribes you antibiotics, make sure to take them religiously! Essential Oils Safe for Cats: Can Fur Babies Also... What Does It Mean When You Dream About Cats:... How to Draw Cat Paws: The Cuteness on a Piece of... DIY Outdoor Cat House for Winter: Making a... Mixed Breed Cats: Jack of All Trades, Master of... Can Cats Have Strokes: How to Recognize It and... Asian Cat Names: Exotic and Unique Names for Your Pet. By using our site, you agree to our. In fact, most of them really don‘t like it. To avoid worst-case scenarios, here’s what you need to do: The background of the rascal in question makes all the difference here. In many accidents that happen with animals, it is a human‘s lack of understanding of body language and warning signals that lead to a bad situation. Tetanus. If you have received a tetanus shot in the last five years, do not worry. To treat a cat bite, seek medical attention if the wound is deep, on your face, bleeding a lot, or on one of your joints or tendons. This behavior can be corrected with some persistence and treats. Don't feed stray or feral cats in areas where they will come into contact with children. We carry a lot of those sneaky critters around without even knowing it. X If needed, put a sterile bandage on the wound. It is crucial to receive the shot as soon as possible since there is no certain cure for rabies in the late stage of the disease. Just make sure to consult a doctor before using any on small children or if you are pregnant. Your doctor will report any bite to the local health department and your cat … Cats jump, and they jump high. If a cat learns that it is OK to use claws and teeth during play time, they won‘t see anything bad in it. Later you can discuss what happened and where things went wrong, but for now, focus on preventing a future situation that is even more stressful: going to the doctor. Cat bite: treatment by the doctor. Even if the cat looked healthy, there is no way for you to determine whether she is a disease carrier or not. . Wide-range antibiotic creams that you can buy in a drug store are a good enough choice. If the cat’s rabies vaccine is up to date, both of you are fine. Some bites require the... Tetanus booster. If rabies is suspected (or in cases where rabies cannot be definitively ruled out) the cat or dog bite victim may receive a … Even if you have a fully grown warrior to cope with, do not despair. Treatment of a cat bite infection typically involves antibiotics. 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. First, thoroughly wash the area with soap and water. But to stay on the safe side, check the date of her last vaccination and treatment against internal parasites. . A person who has been bitten by a cat with rabies will need specialized treatment. What would you do? Beware of bleeding. Therefore, an open wound treatment is usually advisable. Cats can easily get overstimulated by physical interaction. This is a very rare occurrence but can lead to many complications. You will probably be asked to run some blood tests. Move one away from the other. After all, your cat loves you—she just does not realize how hurtful this rough play is. I have a minor cat bite on my finger. The cat could still have been carrying a disease, but just not have been symptomatic. Nearly 50% of cat bites get infected, and treatment is critical. If you want to meet a cat properly, give her space. Your doctor may recommend vaccination with tetanus or rabies prophylaxis. It might seem to you that a cat bit you “out of the blue,” but this is rarely the case. Do not touch it … You can use disinfectants that you probably already have in the household such as rubbing alcohol, an iodine scrub, or hydrogen peroxide. If your kitten is teething, make sure she always has a lot of chew toys available to massage those itchy gums. Imagine if a creature ten times your size tried to do this to you. Resulting infections from cat bites can be prevented by immediately washing wounds with soap and warm water. Make a break from playtime, so she knows this is not acceptable. This is definitely not a good sign so respect her boundaries. Rabies is practically non-existent in the first world, but there are still a lot of wild animals that are considered potential carriers. Even if a cat lives indoors, she can get infected by checking out our shoes, bicycles, bags, etc. The mouth cavity contains more bacteria than any other body parts. In any case, always try to prevent the worst if possible. The bacteria in cat's teeth, combined with the sharp small teeth, tend to cause inoculation of the bacteria which humans tend to not be able to fight off. But if that is not the case, you should probably take it just to be sure. In this case, 87% of readers who voted found the article helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. Was the skin punctured? You might be non-responsive to the antibiotics treatment. If the cat in question is yours, and you need to visit the doctor, make sure to bring the proof of the vaccination from your vet. If your kitten is teething, make sure she always has a lot of chew toys available to massage those itchy gums. When you’re taking care of a cat bite wound, it’s fairly easy to go get an examination. [1] Pour a disinfectant on a piece of cloth and gently wipe the wound. Stay Safe. You will probably be asked to run some blood tests. Growling or yowling. He holds a BS in Nutritional Science from Cornell University and an MD from the Temple University School of Medicine in 2007. For adults who are allergic to penicillin, prescribe metronidazole plus doxycycline for 5 days. Well, this is not entirely true. Bites that are near or on joints, ligaments, tendons, or veins. 2007 Jun. Tetanus is caused by bacteria that can be found in animal feces. [2] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals Go to source Inspect the bite and look for areas where the skin may have been broken. A cat that makes this distinctive sound is in great distress. When we think of rabies, we typically imagine an animal foaming at the mouth, but this is just one of the many stages. Surgery or stitches. Don't start any treatment until there is a reasonable expectation that the cat won't attack again. First, your vet will assess the severity of the wounds. Infection: Cat bites have an extremely high risk of causing infection (about 95%). If a cat bites you, the bacteria transferred to the skin can spread rapidly in the surrounding tissue, causing cellulitis. If this was your cat, you might think you are safe, but this isn’t always the case. At this point, we would advise you to turn around and leave as quickly as possible because this cat is ready to make you count all the sharp bits. See dog/cat/human bite above Antiviral postexposure prophylaxis (indicated in all macaque B virus exposures): Valacyclovir 20 mg/kg PO TID (max: 1,000 mg/dose) Antiviral treatment with CNS symptoms present: Ganciclovir 5 mg/kg IV q12h Antiviral treatment without CNS symptoms present: Acyclovir 15 mg/kg IV q8h Require additional work-up for 4 If your cat, or any other cat for that matter ever bites you, don’t take it lightly or try to treat this injury at home. There is no cure for mosquito bite hypersensitivity. Any bite should be cleaned immediately and assessed by a physician as soon as possible, as antibiotics are frequently needed to treat infection. In this article, we will give you simple but detailed instructions on how to treat the wound and what to do if complications appear. Cats, just like humans, have a complex bacterial flora in their saliva. Next, wash the wound with mild soap and water. Coffee Names for Cats: For that Strong and Energetic... How To Get Your Cat To Sleep With You: 9 Easy Steps. Cats may bite or scratch if frightened or their kittens are threatened, so leave them alone. Talk to your neighbors, ask them about the overall health of their pet and vaccination. If the cat is yours, check your records to see when it was last vaccinated. If a kitten bites you, say “Ow!” and pull your hand away. No matter how small the puncture wound might be, make sure to take precautions. No, I would put some antibiotic ointment on it and a bandage and keep it covered. After all, your cat loves you—she just does not realize how hurtful this rough play is. If needed, put a sterile bandage on the wound. Fever, chills, or shivering. Many times, a bite or a scratch happens during playtime, and this is really no one’s fault. Yes, it is definitely going to hurt for a couple of days, but if the pain becomes worse, you should get help. Always read and follow the manufacturer’s instructions. We carry a lot of those sneaky critters around without even knowing it. If a cat is obviously startled, scared, or hurt, try to help but be cautious—you might suffer the consequences. Whether it was during play or just an unfortunate misunderstanding, it is important to know how to treat a cat bite and what precautions should be taken to avoid this behavior. Have you ever been bitten by a cat before? Lymph nodes are a part of our immune system, and changes in their size are a definite red flag. Cats are usually very comfortable with people touching their head, cheeks, and backs. The mouth is undoubtedly the dirtiest part of a human body. References Symptoms such as redness, swelling, and pain may occur. Most cat bites occur when cat owners are bitten by their pets. Is this a serious problem? When you're finished, apply an antibiotic cream to the bite to help prevent an infection. Antibiotics are normally warranted. If not, you are in the safe zone, but it is still a good idea to follow the next step. It can be quite uncomfortable for them. I. Wounds where the skin got very damaged, with parts completely detached or hanging from the surrounding tissue. Cats do too, and when they strike a hand, can inject bacteria deep into joints and tissue, perfect breeding grounds for infection. Not all body parts react in the same way to trauma, and some are at more risk from infection. Whatever was the cause, there are things you can do to prevent this from happening in the future. Approved. While some animals with rabies may be clearly ill, including the classic symptom of foaming at the mouth, the disease can be transmitted before the symptoms become obvious. dry the wound and cover it with a clean dressing or plaster. Pour a disinfectant on a piece of cloth and gently wipe the wound. Talk to a doctor before using these medications on infants or if you are pregnant. The physicians usually give wide-range but mild antibiotics to begin with, so you might need more aggressive treatment, especially if your immune system is weakened or you have diabetes. Cats use their mouths and claws to communicate and this behavior is absolutely normal, but it is still an unpleasant experience. Hold the bite under running water for several minutes. For children the first-choice oral antibiotic for those aged 1 month and over: This is a definite sign that the infection is still present and it might escalate quickly, so do not hesitate to visit the doctor. Do not play rough. 1.1.9 Consider antibiotic prophylaxis for people with a cat bite that has broken the skin but not drawn blood if the wound could be deep. This article has been viewed 128,884 times. 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