Cat Bite Trauma?

[Scooter's Mom]

In April 1996, I was holding my brothers' cat Toby and petting him. Suddenly, Toby didn't want to be held anymore. But instead of squirming or just getting down, he chomped down on my arm. Sunk his teeth ALL the way in. I still have 4 teeth mark scars.

I had to go to the ER and get a tetanus shot. The bite was really severe.

My brothers' girlfriend (who technically owned Toby) wanted to put him down. I would have felt awful about that... so I convinced them to get him 1) updated on his shots and 2) neutered. It totally mellowed him out. He was a loving cat before, and even more after. However, I rarely touched him again. He made me nervous. I even lived with my brother for awhile after my divorce in 1998, and Toby still scared me.

I think it's normal to be leery. Please try to remember how stressed out and frightened he must have been, too. I hope things return to "normal" soon.

(hugs)
Crystal

[Freedom]

Candace, yup been there, done that, and oh YEAH felt that way too!

First, physically: soak any and all the bites in the hydrogen peroxide. It draws out any bacteria which may have gone in with the tooth. Feel free to soak a second or even a third time, spaced out over say 24 hours, if need be.

Then, wrap it, put a bandaid on it, something to help w/healing. If you have Neosporin, put a bit of that on.

The tearing, that has 2 components, as I understand it. One is that the body has had a huge shock and the teariness is a part of that.

The other is, you feel a loss of trust in your own cat. How COULD he?! How DARE he? Can I pet him? Can I stroke him? What if I touch his feet? Do I dare? What if I rub his chin, will I even put my fingers that close to that suddenly HUGE POWERFUL MOUTH? For me, that part of lasted anywhere from 2 days to a week.

Try to hang on to the How DARE he part, as that is anger, which is better than the poor me side of it.

Do some things to comfort and console yourself, and / or to have some fun, get yourself smiling and laughing.

HUGS, my friend.

[jennielynn1970]

I was bitten by Jorgie when I tried to crate him to be groomed. It all went badly really quickly. Dave was moving the crate in front of Jorgie and I had Jorgie in my hands. Well, he bit me and bit me and bit me... it was horrible. I didn't get a really horrible reaction, but I still kinda look at him sideways and wonder if he'll do it again. I'm supposing he will because he has a fear of people and does not like to be touched.

When I had Ally Cat here, omg, the bites she gave me. She was one traumatized cat, and I was a traumatized foster. She bit me so severely, my had swelled up, my arm swelled up, it was horrible. I had to go to the ER get a shot of something strong, and then still take really strong meds along with that for 20 days. It was unreal. I never trusted her after the first bite and I sure didn't trust her after numbers 5 and 6. Still feel badly for her, RIP Ally.

[katladyd]

Ming gets savage every time he goes to the vet. He has opened up several vets and their assistants. Now, when I take him to the vet, I have to hold him while he is examined an if he stays overnight, I have to come to the back and retreive him from his cage. Yes, he has attacked me and opened some very deep wounds on me from both his claws and his teeth. I have never let that bother me at all. I understand that he was scared and that was his reaction to fear. Really, it is the only defense they have, isn't it? He is a complete love bug at home and I have never thought twice about playing with him or petting him. Cole was scared, NOT vicious, and the incident should be seen as that. He still loves you, trust me on that.

[karlyb]

My Himalayan boy Bailey takes phenobarbitol but still has occasional seizures. After one seizure, I picked him up to comfort him and he clamped down on my finger and would/could not let go. Luckily, my niece was visiting and ran into the kitchen and got a butter knife to pry his jaws open. He left me with deep puncture wounds but I didn't really blame him. Now if he has a seizure, I just leave him alone until he's completely over it.

[Catty1]

Thanks, everyone.

I totally know he was frightened and freaking out. I have also been told that the antibiotics could be affecting me.

I went out today for a walk and went to the teahouse a friend of mine owns. Had a small pot of tea and a nice quiet time - there were other people there, of course, and I conversed - but it was a sunny day and I did have nice quiet time along with tea and some honey.

One thing I still had to do with Cole was wash his urethra area (so I was told) because urine had crystalized there and it couldn't be trimmed off. I got a small container of warm very soapy water (my aloe vera shampoo, a natural project), got a soft microfiber cloth, brought Cole in the bathroom - and it went fine! I felt a LOT better after that was done.

One reason he can't clean there is that he is FAT. I can really see that now! I am keeping an eye on his eating from the other bowls.

He does look good. The sun will be out tomorrow again so I will get some pics of Cole soaking in the sun.

katladyd, I know Cole still loves me. And I still love him. All is well.

[kitten645]

I think Freedom said it best. It's a broken trust that will take a bit of healing to repair. Time heals all wounds. So true. Give it time.
I've been so fortunate that I've NEVER been bitten by the 20 some cats I've had in my lifetime. I know working at the shelter, there are some scared ones that lash out and I feel so bad for them but I very wary of them. I try to work with them but it's on pins and needles. I know they sense that and it probably doesn't help but it's a natural instinct to avoid getting hurt! On both ends...cat and me!
Time. That's the only cure. It's traumatic.

[krazyaboutkatz]

I too have been there before. My RB Starr bit me and he wouldn't let go. He was sleeping on my lap and when I tried to move him to get up and he bit me. Even as a kitten he was a some what nippy. I went to the doctor right away and I was also put on strong antibiotics. I never trusted him after that and I was always a little bit afraid of him. He would want to sleep near my face but I wouldn't let him because one time he tried to bite my nose. I think he bit me because of his IBD illness because he just didn't feel well.

I know that this is a bit late but I just received this in an e-mail. Maybe in the future this will help Cole "The Scaredy Cut Grooming Kit" http://www.petproductadvisor.com/[email protected].