Cat bite... from Ally Cat TWICE!! #33

[jennielynn1970]

Ok, I'm sitting on the floor with Ally on my lap and she's all good. She's not wanted to sit in my lap for long before, and I'm thinking this is a good step. She's kinda growling at the one kitty in there cause Autumn was sniffing at her, but I just made Autumn go away.

All of a sudden, Ally whips around and sinks her freaking teeth into my right hand!! I don't just mean nip, I mean full on bite! And not just bite and run away, I mean BITE BITE BITE BITE BITE!!!! I could feel the nerves twinging in my hand! I was just so shocked!! I have no idea what came over her at all.

Needless to say, I'm a bit leery about getting close to her. Her eyes are wide and the pupils dilated, so I'm just leaving her alone. Maybe it's all just overwhelming for her right now. I dunno. All I do know is that my hand is freaking killing me. The one puncture wouldn't stop bleeding, and it hurts to bend my right hand now

I put peroxide on them, and now have antibacterial bandaids on them, but I don't know if that will be good enough. Do I need a tetanus shot or anything?? I'm just so shocked. I've never had a cat react like that before. She really has me freaked out!

[Barbara]

Go and see a doctor- that's for sure. I am so sorry.
I think it was Lisa (K&L) who went through a very dangerous biting story when she went too late.
If your tetanus isn't up to date this could be a problem.

I am so sorry for Ally- I am convinced this is too much for her. Whatever she considered to be her little world must be totally desorganized now. Maybe she needs a little kitty valium or something.

[jenluckenbach]

You really should see a doctor.

Julie has had this unfortunate experience with Ally. I don't think anyone understands what goes through her mind. (if you recall, I warned you that Ally bites)

I just hope she settles and you can "read" her moods to prevent any more bites.

Now, go see the doctor!

[jennielynn1970]

It was bizarre. She was in my lap and purring. She just whipped around and attacked me!!! I remember Julie saying she bites, but I wasn't expecting an attack cat, lol. Ow... hurts to type.

Hand is really sore. Hard to bend it. Used peroxide and betadine and soap and water. Took advil. Ditching work to go to ER. No sick days left, so this will cost me. Sigh...

She really got me good. Damn. Will be keeping my distance from her for a while.

[jennielynn1970]

I am so sorry for Ally- I am convinced this is too much for her. Whatever she considered to be her little world must be totally desorganized now. Maybe she needs a little kitty valium or something.

I agree on this with you... She seemed ok, aloof, but ok. Poor thing. Valium would be great for her more than likely, but I'm a bit scared to even go near that mouth to do anything right now!! Wonder if it comes in a syringe???

[emily_the_spoiled]

Unfortunately Connor has done the same thing to me on a couple of occasions. The sites were sore and swollen for a couple of days but they got better.

Ally tried to nip me when she was staying with me. It seemed that she would get overstimulated and turn on what ever was causing the stimulation (even if it was my hand). I learned just to sit there and let her come to me, not petting her or anything else.

I am sorry this happened

[Freedom]

Something like Feliway as a start to calm her down, before you step it up to valium?

Just a thought.

Ouch, I've had cat bites, one so bad I spent a week in the hospital on round the clock IV antibiotics.

Hope your hand will heal quickly.

[catnapper]

Oh Jenn, this is horrible. I know what you mean by it costing you for ER visit, but I also know it would cost you much more if you didn't go. This kind of bite is very serious. Just the idea that one puncture won't stop bleeding relieves my mind of infection (because its flushing the wound of bacteria) but ?I worry about you losing too much blood.

I'm not being hypocritical suggesting you go to the hospital when I didn't go last week when I was bit. Wild Blossom bit me I knew that it wasn't anything more serious than antiseptic and a bandaid (and I was right -- just a few scabs today)

Please let us know what the doctors say.

[Craftlady]

I hope your hand is better soon.
I'm guessing Alley since being by herself for all those months and only minimal human contact she is having trouble processing being around animals and humans again. Poor thing, I'm sure in short order she will get comfortable.

[Scooter's Mom]

My brother had a kitty, Toby, who did something similar to me. I was holding him and petting him and all of a sudden his teeth were sunk into the flesh of my arm just below my inner elbow. My ex-hubby (who wasn't an ex at the time) freaked and chased down mr. Toby and was going to lock him in a cage for hurting "his Crystal" and Toby got him too! So my ex and I both had to go for tetanus shots... and my brother's girlfriend at the time (it was technically her kitty) was going to put Toby down. Instead I paid for his neutering and an update on all of his shots, and he calmed down immensely. I was still pretty leary of him for a long time though. 11 years later, you can still see the teeth marks in my arm.

The point is - I'd definately go get a tetanus shot!

[momtomany]

Jenn

You really need to go to the doctor as there is a distinct difference in a cat bite and a puncture wound. Most bites you can treat on our own and they do well. A puncture is an entirely different story and they are highly susceptible to very, very serious infections. I know because it happened to me. I knew to take an antibiotic, which I had at home, but the next morning, not even twelve hours later, the swelling and infection in my wrist and arm was tremendous. The only reason I didn't end up in the hospital was because my father was terminally ill. I almost had to have a PIC line put in to administers the antibiotics intravenously but got them to agree to give me two days of the oral to see first. So, don't full around.
As far as your baby, Ally, maybe Ally had reached that over stimulation point and was reacting that way. My Carly is like that, one minute she loves to be loved the next second the "taz" comes out in her.

Please keep us informed

[Catty1]

Jenn - poor you! It DOES sound like Ally is one of those cats who get over-stimulated, just by being patted a lot!

Is she still in her 'own' room? Maybe ask the vet about putting some Rescue Remedy in her water, or since you have Feliway, putting a shot in the air there 3x day(just my thought).

If you have even one puncture that is NOT bleeding, I am glad you have gone to the ER.

HUGS! I hope you and Ally are able to bond again.

[Taz_Zoee]

A lady that use to work with me had an incident where her cat bit her on the hand. When she went to the doctor for it, there was a big ordeal about whether or not she could keep the cat. The doctors and hospitals have to report it. (at least here they do, I think) Luckily, she did not lose her kitty. I hope they don't try to take Ally away. That would be the last thing she needs right now.
I hope your hand feels better real soon, and that Ally will calm down and feel comfortable with you. I'm sorry this happened. Now everyone involved is stressed....you AND Ally. You will both be in my thoughts for happier times.

[sandragonfly]

OUCH. I hope your hand will feel better!

I've had a raccoon bite before while feeding 20+ feral cats - I am known to not faint but I fainted nauseaously about 10 minutes later. next thing I was woken up in the hospital, they told me it was my body reacting to dirt raccoon spitted inside me.

hope your poor hand gets better soon! I know it must be painful.

[catmandu]

You should get to a Doctor.
thats sad that Autumn put Ally into an agressive mood and that you got caught in the crossfire so to speak.
We hope taht you are going to be all right.
I was scratched one time by a visitor Kitty and my hand swelled up quite badly. I needed anti biotics to bring the hand back to normal.