Starr Just Bit Me Very Hard!!!

[Catlady711]

I think it depends not only in what state you live in, but also where and how the bite happened. The one time I got bit by a cat at work, I just cleaned it up best I could, went on with my day, then went home. Next morning (of course on a Sunday when my reg. dr. is not in) my finger had swelled to over twice it's normal size and hurt like the dickens! When I went to the ER they asked very specific questions and the only one that interested them was when I said it happened at work, that made them perk up. No animal control officer was contacted, but then again I work for a vet hospital and the head vet took care of informing the owner of the cat that I had been bit and instructed him to quarantien the cat for 10 days, (of course we had the advantage of having a vaccination history of knowing the cat was current with it's rabies vaccination.

Your doctor may give you a shot(s), I can't remember what it was for. I am thinking tetanus, but that's not right, that's for metal deposits.
Sandra

Tetnus is a bacterial infection, and that is exactly the shot I recieved at the ER for my cat bite. Tetnus bacteria can live in soil and on old dirty rusty nails etc. which is probably why you thought it was for metal deposits.

FROM THE CENTER FOR DISEASE CONTROL (CDC)

Tetanus occurs worldwide but is most frequently encountered in densely populated regions in hot, damp climates with soil rich in organic matter. Reservoir Organisms are found primarily in the soil and intestinal tracts of animals and humans. Mode of TransmissionTransmission is primarily by contaminated wounds (apparent and inapparent). The wound may be major or minor. In recent years, however, a higher proportion of patients had minor wounds, probably because severe wounds are more likely to be properly managed. Tetanus may follow elective surgery, burns, deep puncture wounds, crush wounds, otitismedia (ear infections), dental infection, animal bites, abortion, and pregnancy. Almost all reported cases of tetanus are in persons who have either never been vaccinated, or who completed a primary series but have not had a booster in the preceding 10 years.

[kt_luvs_kitties]

When I got bit by a dog at the vets where I worked (teeth went completely through my hand) I got 2 shots on each tushie cheek 2 x per week for about a month and a half. Hurt badly, but the infection died. (ALSO took 4 meds..2 antibiotics, 2 pain killers. and no use of my left arm for months. It was wrapped, and I had to have my friend and mom wash my hair for me )

For my cat bites, they were not NEARLY as severe, so I was on antibiotics for a few weeks.

HOPEFULLY it is not that serious where you have to be on shots and meds and pain meds. It really wears you out.

Please update when you can.

[wolflady]

Oh goodness! What a nawtee boy, Starr!!

I don't think you're over reacting at all. It's better to be safe and have it checked out...even if it's just for piece of mind. Please let us know how your appointment went!

**hugs**

[krazyaboutkatz]

Hi everyone. I've already been seen by the doctor and I'm now on antibiotics 2 times a day for the next 10 days. The pills are quite large and remind me of horse pills. Since I'm up to date on my tetnus shot I didn't need to have another one.

I told her that Starr is an indoor cat only and is up to date on all of his shots including rabies. She just told me to watch him for the next 10 days but she's sure that everything will be fine. As far as I know I won't be visited by animal control. I guess I should contact my vet to let them know about what happened just in case.

Thanks for all of your responses. I think I caught it very early so I should be fine. I'm on vacation until Jan.2nd so hopefully my hand will feel much better before I go back to work.

Edit: I called my vets office and the lady told me that my doctor will have to report this to animal control but since he's my cat and is up to date on his rabies that I shouldn't have to worry about anything. Animal control will be getting in touch with me some time soon and will just ask me some questions. She also told me that I did the right thing because cat bites can be very serious.

[Laura's Babies]

When that cat at the shelter bit me, my vet got bittent he same day and he told Rie to tell me to get to a doctor NOW... whenever he gets bitten, he goes immdeiately. I took that advice. My bite was deep, she sunk her fangs all the way in, all 4 of them. I got a shot in the hip and meds for 10 days... No pain pills though and it hurt like the dickens where she bit me.

What is so bad about cats biting and breaking the skin(or is it just for outdoor cats?)

You missed the thread waaaaay back when CCL got bitten, that is when I learned how bad cat bites are. They are extreemly dangerous if they are deep.

[Freedom]

Great! Glad to hear the update! "Get well soon!"

[Catlady711]

Glad to hear that you were up-to-date on your tetanus shot, and the antibiotics should take care of any infection.

I think the severity of infection depends on not only how serious the wound is, but also the individual persons immune system and the location of the wound, not sure.

[ShylanHal]

I'm really lucky, the doctors are proud of my strong immune system and so whenever a cat bites me, (Fritti, my mom's cat, used to all the time, he was a really evil feline) I get a bit of a welt, like if someone used a miniature whip on me, and of course I wash it with good soap and apply neosporin on it, but that usually does the trick for me. Actually, it's always done the trick for me, but a friend of mine had to go to the ER because her cat bit her shoulder and it swelled like a balloon.
Hope you feel better soon! And it does sound like he was just out of sorts, and I hope he gets to feelin' better too. Though it looks like all he needs is a chill pill :P

[moosmom]

Tracey,

Do NOT take a cat bite lightly. If the skin is broken, it can become infected very quickly. Have it checked out. Tell them is was a provoked attack (otherwise they'll take Starr and quarantine him).

Good luck!

[kuhio98]

Tracey ~ I'm so sorry to hear about this. Hope you feel better soon.

[AmberLee]

Tracey,

Sounds like you made the right decision. So sorry you're hurt and that Starr's so out of sorts. Fingers crossed that you caught this right on time; it sure sounds like you did.

~~~ healing vibes ~~~ at ya!