Yikes, what should I do?

Today I had Caramel out on his harness and leash cause it was a beautiful day when all of a sudden our next door neighbours large dog (boxer) comes bounding towards us. I scooped up Caramel and started to go for the door. This dog is good around cats and Coco and him get along, he was just being curious but Caramel has never ever seen a dog and he lost it. He hissed which he has never done before (he is a year old) and growled/spit and wouldn't let me take him inside, he was fighting me. His tail puffed up and he began to scratch me. I finally got him close to the door and the dog was still following us, and Caramel was still fighting, when all of a sudden Caramel latched onto my forearm hard. I got Caramel in the house and realized he had sprayed all over himself and me but he was ok just a little shaken. I then noticed that my arm was dripping with blood! How could Caramel's little teeth do that! There are 4 pierce marks, and they are very deep. I washed them and all my scratches with antimicrobial soap and then rinsed them with alcohol. That was hours ago and I can hardly move my arm. I don't know if I should go to outpatients or just ignore it? I know that bites are dangerous because of all the bacteria in the mouth, and I know that you don't want to let an infection spread, but maybe my arm is just bruised? Im not sure what should I do?

I'm sorry poor Caramel was so frightened. :(
I personally hate going to doctors and would most likely get some over the counter stuff to put on it. But what I'd do probably isn't the best thing to do. The best thing would probably be to have it checked, especially if it's deep.

Since the pierce marks are deep, I'd have them looked at; you might not be able to clean them out successfully.

Better safe than sorry.

Thats what called Cat Scratch Fever and it can be serious.
If you arm isnt better in a day or so I would go to your Doctor.
I had that once from a Siamese Kitten Boarder and couldnt move my Hand for three or four days.
We Pray that your arms now better!!!

GET TO A DOCTOR NOW! I got bitten at the shelter I use to help out at, while my daughter went to pick up a cat at the vet for me and she told him I had just got bitten by a cat and that is what he told her to tell me. As a vet, he gets bitten often and he leaves immdeiately and goes to a doctor. If you don't, tomorrow you will wake up to some serious pain and infection. You need a injection of antibotics and a Rx....

A simple cleaning good will not do, antibotic ointment will do no good either. It requires medical treatment, they are nothing to mess with!

Be warned, they will need to report it to animal control and if your cat is not up to date on the rabies shot, they will have to take it and keep it for 10 days.

Anyone have the link to the thread when Magoo bit CCL?

OUCH! I'm sorry you and Caramel went through that.

Laura is exactly right! Gee thee to a doctor!

When I started volunteering, they told me that if I got bit, just go to the emergency room and start the antibiotics.

Because of the potential for an infection that could require hospitalization, the SOONER THE BETTER!

Please play it safe and let us know how you are.

GET YOURSELF TO AN EMERGENCY ROOM OR CLINIC LIKE NOW!!!!!!

Cat bites are very infectious and you will need antibiotics ASAP!!!!

This is NOT something that you hold off and wait to see what happens.
That is why you can hardly move your arm. Once a cat's bite is deep, instant infection sets in.

I pray that you are seeing a doctor at this moment, if not........

GET OFF THE COMPUTER AND GET YOUR BUTT MOVING RIGHT THIS MINUTE!!!!!

I just decided to go to the doctor and now reading this thread, Im sure I must go. Caramel is all up to date on his vaccines so I hope they can't take him away from me? I have to go now, Dad is calling to me so pray for me that everything is ok :(

Phew!!! I'm so glad that you made the right decision to get to a doctor today.

Prayers on the way that all goes well for you.

Also, gentle ((((((HUGS)))))) for you.

I will be anxiously waiting for your update.

Hope your tetanus shots are up to date - for you, not poor Caramel.

(and poor you too - hope you are better soon!)

Catty1

What Laura's Babies and rg_girlca said!!

The minute you get bit by a cat - get to a doctor, be it in an office or ER. Do not delay. I learned by personal experience.

Thank goodness my tetanus shots were all up to date and Caramel had all of his shots or else I would be getting some crazy shots! When I went to outpatients, the triage nurse who I know said it was good I came in and that I would need antibiotics. Anyways she was the head of the nurses for the province and she is a nurse practitioner so I trust her but the doctor turned out to be a real dummy. He asked me if the cat had its shots and why it bit which I explained and he was satisfied, but he failed to look at my arm. The nurse had already explained to me that because the wounds were so deep I would never be able to clean it well enough and that it would become infected and already appeared to be starting. It was swollen and the red aroud the wounds was growing. Anyways the doctor said nothing, didnt look at it or flush and clean it. I asked him shouldnt I have it cleaned or have antibiotics and he said wait till it infects, and I said well is it going to and he said yes. So basically I have to wait till my arm starts oozing and turns bright red. I know they dont like handing out antibiotics all the time because they are over used, Im a science student I get it but hello I cant move my arm, the red is growing and it is swollen. Anyways I wanted a second opinion so I went to see if the after hours clinic was open but it wasnt so now I just have to wait till it is infected enough for him. Im in so much pain right now it isnt even funny and Im not impressed.

On a lighter note though, Caramel is fine, he cleaned the pee off himself pretty good and I helped clean him up too. He didnt get touched by the dog so it was just a scare. He is back to getting treats and playing as usual! I just went and bought him a little mouse that I can control with a remote :D He really likes it and I got him some temptations! He is a happy boy! Poor lad! It was a scary experience for sure! I hope he doesnt start hissing though cause that was the first time that he ever hissed or growled :confused: Anyways all is good for the time being and I'll be keeping an eye on my arm. Thanks everyone for your advice and concern :)

I just can't BELIEVE you didn't get anitbiotics!

I got a nasty bite last year at the kennel where I work...and yes, if the punctures are deep enough, they won't bleed and clean themselves out.

One of the kennel owners got bitten by the same cat - and kept going into the city for IV antibiotics. Ooo!

Just keep your arm UP on a pillow or something...I hope you have some good painkillers.

The doc must have had his reasons, but I can't THINK what they are!

poor you!

Glad Caramel is better and getting treats! Now, who is giving YOU some treats? :D

hugs
Catty1

I can NOT believe that doctor! Ohhhhhhhhh!!!! I would have been raising holy heck! WAIT!! WAIT for WHAT? Darn, they gave me in antibotic shot in the hip within hours and a round of them to take for a week to be safe.. That really makes me MAD! :mad: Let it get infected and you suffer in pain makes no sense to me at all.....

WOW!!!! When Pouncer bit my mom this past fall, they gave her both an antibiotic shot int he hospital plus a prescription for antibiotics, and her hand STILL got infected. Lets put it this way, a cat bite as serious as yours has a 99.9% probability of becoming infected (I of course made up that impressive number, but you get the point)

Please take care tonight and maybe ice can help soothe the pain.

WWWWHHHHAAAATTTTT!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am in total shock here. I cannot believe that doctor. WAIT UNTIL IT GETS INFECTED!!!! And yes it will become infected and them come in for antibiotics. I've never heard anything so ridiculous in my life.

Poor you. My heart goes out to you as I know the pain you are going through. Gosh I still can't believe this. I am totally at a loss for words.

If you are able to, please keep us updated on how you are doing.

Gentle ((((((HUGS))))))

You need to go back - NOW!!

You're going to need IV antibiotics - and might even have to be admitted to the hospital. Get yourself to a competent doctor ASAP.

I'm a retired RN and know what I'm talking about.

PLEASE - don't wait until tomorrow.

The doctor you saw is a blithering idiot, no doubt about it. I hope you see a "real" doctor on Sunday as early as possible. This is not the type of infection you can fight off naturally, no matter how young and strong you are. When a vet tech I know was bitten earlier this year, she was at the hospital within the hour getting IV antibiotics, a prescription for futher antibiotics, and a booster tetanus shot. Although a tetanus booster is effective for 10 years, its effectiveness gradually diminishes - that's why they give another booster in cases of deep puncture wounds when your last tetanus shot was more than a few years ago. I'm just stunned by your doctor's ineptitude, though I've met a few like him unfortunately.

Please keep us updated since I know we are all going to worry about you.

I guess you will be making gradual introductions between Caramel and the boxer when you are well again.

The more I think about this, the more upset I get.

You really cannot wait on this. You need to begin antibiotics immediately. I hate to be blunt, but you could be in grave danger if treatment isn't begun soon.

Gosh Grace, you really have me worried now.

How are you doing today Marie?????

I hope you went back to the hospital or clinic to get some antibiotics.

((((((HUGS))))))

As a RN, like Grace, I am in TOTAL at what that quack told you!!! You should have been started on antibiotics STAT!!!!! And THEY should have irrigated the wound, not "wait until it gets infected!!!" Do you have red streaks going up your arm when the bites are??? I hope you went back!!! Please let us know what happened and how YOU ar doing!!!!!! Sandra

Ohhhhh I just woke up cause I was up all night with the pain. The red around my wounds has grown and my arm is harder to move. Im going back now and I won't take no for an answer. I knew what he said was wrong but I questioned everything and he just kept on saying no and Ive been taught to always trust the doctor. Thanks everyone for you advice and support I truly appreciate it! At least you guys care unlike Mr.Doctor! I'll keep you all posted.

I knew this would happen. Stupid, stupid, doctor.

I pray that you don't land up seeing that quack again.

I would put in a MAJOR complaint about that so called doctor.

Big time prayers on the way that everything will turn out okay for you, despite that quacks advice.

I will be anxiously waiting on your update, but I know it won't be for quite some time, as I'm sure they will keep you in with an IV drip of antibiotics to start off with.

((((((HUGS))))))

Im back....Not doing much better they gave me some oral antibiotics and this time it wasnt the same doctor. I explained that I was already there the night before and I swear they just thought I was being a pest. Anyways I asked if I should have an IV drip, flushing of the punctures or something and he said no. He said just take the antibiotics and watch it. I guess these ppl have never seen a cat bite before :confused: It is way worse than it was yesterday and the pain is terrible. There are 5 puncture wounds, 3 being the worst and the redness is creeping up my arm. I made a stink but I think that just made them want to get rid of me faster? Im going to take the antibiotics and keep an eye on it but I guess I cant get any help around here.

Caramel is completly back to normal now, he even wants to go out on his leash again :eek: I can't right now though. The owner of the dog called yesterday to make sure everything was ok and apologized for him being off his chain. Anyways thanks everyone again for the advice and concern ;)

For the pain - take ASA or Tylenol. That will also help reduce inflammation. And help any fever you might get.

Is there any other medical facility you can go to? That red streak up your arm is nothing to slough off. PLEASE - do not dismiss this lightly, even if that joke of a doctor does. Something like this can become extremely serious.

Cat bites, along with those of humans, are the very worst bites - worse than a dog bite.

I strongly urge you to keep an eye on that streak. Mark where it is right now, and if it extends further up your arm - GO BACK TO THE DOCTOR!

I just can't imagine a medical professional treating this so lightly. Something is not right.

When I got bitten last year, my boss said to watch for a thin red line - I guess yours looks like a streak?

If I got that, I go get help ASAP - because it signals blood poisoning.

Here is a thought - call your local Humane or or vet or whoever and ask them about a doctor who knows about this stuff! I am sure the staff there have a favourite!
They get bitten...

I know it's hard to keep trying when that hurts so much - and I KNOW what it feels like!

Catty1

Let's all meet on the corner in a hour and go find that idiot that calls himself a "doctor" and have a cat bite HIM! Then lets go rip his diploma from medical school to shreads!

Lesson learned here, WE KNOW what we are talking about when it comes to cat bites and now you do too and can help the next person.

This is ridiculous. It doesn't make any sense for any doctor to be reluctant to give antiobiotics in a case such as this. We are not talking about a viral infection where antibiotics are used more to help secondary infections, but an infection of the type antibiotics were created to treat. I knew a doctor who didn't take cat bites seriously and became very ill as a result. He was my husband and had tried to separate our two cats who were fighting. He simply cleaned the wound, went to bed, and went to work at the hospital next day. He came home with a sheet-white face, his arm elevated on a drip stand, full of drugs and furious with the cat because he'd been told that the septicemia could affect his heart. He had worked in emergency rooms for 2 years when this happened, so I'm afraid I know that doctors can be really dumb about cat bites.

Do you have a teaching hospital near you that you can go to? Oral antibiotics will take a day or two to really get to work, at least that's what I remember.

I cannot believe this. :mad:

AAAARRRRGGGGG!!!!!! It won't do any good to rant and rave about this.
The main thing Marie is that I pray that you will be okay.

Do as Grace says and mark a line where the red is now and if it goes any higher, get yourself to a different hospital if you can, or clinic, because like Catty 1 said, this could signal blood poisoning.

I'll be praying for you my dear.

((((((HUGS))))))

I drew a line around it right after I got back from the hospital, and it has grown around it a bit, especially in one area. The pain is still the same and I still have trouble moving it. That is the only hospital in our city but Im going to go to the walk in clinic tomorrow to see what they can do I guess. There is red streaking and it worries me a lot. You can actually see the red streaking going from a couple of the punctures up to a vein in my arm :eek: This is just so frustrating! Thanks again for the prayers and I will keep you all updated.

Oh Marie, to say that I am worried about you, is an understatement.

I still cannot believe the treatment, or I should say, lack of treatment that you have received from these so called doctors.

How I feel for you and will continue with my prayers until I hear a good update from you. We do care.

Please go first thing in the morning to the clinic and I pray that you get a competent doctor this time.

Gentle ((((((HUGS))))))

I'm glad you have an alternative facility for care.

Another thing you should do - go to the Medical Records Department in the hospital you went to the other two times. Request that they supply you with copies of both E.R. visits. You might have to fill out a form, and might have to pay a small fee for them to copy the records.

I'm assuming it works the same in Canada as in the USA. These are YOUR records, and you have every right to a copy of them. Then if there are any complications due to their stupidity, you have a copy of what they didn't do.

Keep at it until someone "MEDICAL" gets as alarmed as we are! This is not sounding good, I am also worried and praying. I am so sorry you are not getting the treatment you deserve to get, total MALPRACTICE! Please keep us posted, I will be checking in the morning FIRST thing on you so post as soon as you can.. Grrrrrr! Prayers going up for you!

Am Worried!!! Are You Ok??? What Happened??? Please Let Us Know!!!!

wha??! oh my..

please, please go to somewhere else who will help you! ASAP! and we'll hear back from you really soon.. :(

just almost two years ago now, I got bitten by a very little baby raccoon who was behind me watching 15-20 stray cats eating on my thumb.. (I laid on my hands back). I had my thumb up immediately, he was hanging on it, I scruffed his back neck, pressed it against my thumb until he let it go. a few minutes after I ran in bathroom, two punctures won't stop bleeding, I got really dizzy and felt so nauseaous - I passed out. :eek: nobody was home, I lived alone, red streaks grew in a day and half. luckily, a worried classmate/friend bothered to stop by, found me laying very pale (had my arm under my neck, head down on toilet rim - was going to throw up! - pressured the vessels), took me to hospital. my blood was posioned a bit, and my reaction to the bite was very common, serve allergic! just to a bite. quick dirty parasites from teeth/salvia you can't see went inside and had a festival. scary.

anyway, so glad your dad is around with you and BE OK! I sure hope you'll write a couple of complaints! we'll help. superunbelievable. http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b1...ld/furious.gif

I'm sorry I didn't see this until now! Those docters are absolute lunatics. My mom is an RN and she read this and can't even believe these docters! :mad: I'm glad you are going somewhere else.... I'm hoping you're ok and I will keep you in my thoughts!

Anxiously waiting to hear how you are doing today.

OMG!I never heard of anything like this.That was NOT a good DOC! I hope you get healed ASAP!

I hope the reason we haven't heard anything so far is that she is being seen by a competent doctor and getting medical care.

Keeping finger and toes crossed and sending prayers.