Cat Bite

Hey Guys,

I am sure many of you have suffered cat bites before so I would like some advice. I was bitten by my own cat yesterday at about 4 in the morning. I heard my two cats hissing at each other (not unusual) and i was going to get up and separate them. Unfortunately when I got out of the bed I stood up right in between them and was bitten. I went to the doctor last night. I have some puncture marks on my calf and a monster bruise and some cellulitisis. I had a slight fever last night and was given a shot in the hip and sent home with ciprofloxacin and doxycycline. Both of which are making me nauseated but I can deal with it as long as it helps my infection. I was wondering what are some other things I can do at home? I have been cleaning it out with peroxide and alcohol. I have also been using heat packs. Could I soak in epsom salt bath?? Any tips would be greatly appreciated. I keep reading where people had to be hospitalized and it is freaking me out. Anyway thanks in advance.

Brittany

You were wise to go to your doctor Brittany ....
as you know, cat bites, especially puncture wounds, can become very serious quickly.
They are almost like getting an injection of bacteria.

It sounds like you are doing everything right but please remain vigilant for any changes that might indicate local or systemic infection. If that happens, don't wait ...go to your local emergency immediately.

I don't know of any home remedies that would help...
maybe other members will have some ideas for you.

Keeps us updated about how you are recovering.
Sending heal quickly vibes.

Never use peroxide or pour anything on a puncture wound! You risk pushing debris and bacteria back into it.

Yes soaking it would be good, they should have told you this and provided information for wound care at time of treatment.... I suggest you call up your doctor's office and see if a nurse/PA will talk to you on how to take care of the bite.

I also suggest you read all of the information on the slips that came with your prescriptions. As it will tell you what to avoid and how you must take the doxy to help keep the worst of the nausea and acid reflux under control.

The biggest puncture wound oozes blood with gentle pressure (not firm at all or I couldn't do it because there is a massive bruise around the bite). The blood is mostly bright with a bit of clear matrix. I thought it would be okay that is it a little oozy because then it is not healing over and sealing in puss and bacteria..

Thanks for the advice guys!

My mom and I do a lot of cat rescue and kitten rehoming and my dad always fusses at me for messing with so many cats. Oddly enough, I have never been bitten by one of the strays this was my very own cat that I have had since a kitten!

My fever has actually dropped a little and is not at about 99 it was 100.6 last night at the dr. and it was 98.1 this morning so it is fluctuating a little.

I really appreciate your help. This is a great site.

Originally Posted by mews2much

I have been bit before.
Your dr may report the bite to animal control.
Cat bites can get infected very fast and I know some breeders and judges that ended up in the hospital for days because they got very sick.
You are already doing what I would do.

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Yes they made me fill out a form and it kind of made me mad. I thought this is ridiculous. It was MY cat. She has had her shots she is healthy cat I just accidentally got in between my two cats in the middle of a showdown! The girl was like don't worry they probably won't do anything. So I just put that on the form. But I don't like that they do that. People may not go to the doctor if they have to report their own and animal and are afraid of them being taken away. I think it could create a barrier to treatment..but that is just my opinion.

Originally Posted by Britt0285

Yes they made me fill out a form and it kind of made me mad. I thought this is ridiculous. It was MY cat. She has had her shots she is healthy cat I just accidentally got in between my two cats in the middle of a showdown! The girl was like don't worry they probably won't do anything. So I just put that on the form. But I don't like that they do that. People may not go to the doctor if they have to report their own and animal and are afraid of them being taken away. I think it could create a barrier to treatment..but that is just my opinion.

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It's the law, they have no choice but to make you fill out the forms. Since your cats are up to date on their shots you have nothing to worry about there, but someone from the department of health may call you, so be prepared for that.

Soak the bite in warm water and dish soap like Palmolive or Dawn several times a day, and take the medications. Take them with food if they upset your stomach, as long as it doesn't say not to.

Don't use the peroxide any more it can inhibit healing as it breaks down tissue. Just soak soak soak, and let the antibiotics do their work.

And eat a healthy diet.

Will it look a little worse before it looks better? The cellulitisis looks nasty but there is also that big bruise. It looks worse but actually feels better. I did soak it with epsom salts and I have been using a warm compress. Still no pus is present I guess it just looks so angry because of the infection and the soft tissue damage?

BTW, the animal control people left me a nice little packet on my door ordering me to surrender my cat for quarantine. Either to them or my vet. I'm not sure why they didn't ring my door bell because my car was in the driveway and I didn't find the note until I went to get something from the car. So I called and explained that she was up to date on all vaccines. However, they said she still needed to be observed and the lady went on to inform me that they will do this for 12 - 16 bucks a day for 10 days and that she has a risk of developing URI b/c they are exposed to strays where they keep them. Odd they would keep a quarantined animal around other animals but whatever. I really didn't like that so she said I could keep her at my vets office.

I called the Vet it will be 312 bucks but at least I know she will be housed well, but they told me I could not see her which breaks my heart. I feel so bad I have to take her tomorrow and she is just laying around the house being soo sweet.

Good grief...

One thing that comes to my mind is when did you last have a tetanus shot.
I would ask my doctor if I needed to get one.

This is why when I get bit, unless it gets nasty, I stay away from the ER. Soak your wound in warm water and epsom salts, this will draw out any bacteria left. You can take Arnica Montana (holistic) to stop the bruising. I am sorry that they are confiscating your cat, but if she is up to date with all her shots including rabies- your vet should be able to provide this documentation and stop the quarantine. But if you have missed even one vaccination appointment, they will seize her.

Next time, keep a dark, fairly heavy blanket nearby and when the cats start to tangle, lightly toss it over them. This will startle them apart. Never get between two cats fighting even after they have finished because they will redirect all that aggression your way- no matter how much you two have bonded together. Use a broom or other means to herd one of the cats into a room by itself and slide food inside the door. Let the cat calm down and once it does and eats and starts to groom itself, it is safe to enter.

Also be sure that your tetanus is up to date.

my tetanus is up to date. i had the tdap last fall. i know. i am so upset. she is not a violent kitty at all, she was just scared. i started crying when they told me i couldn't come and see her and im sure the other lady waiting to pay the vet thought i was a nut, but oh well.

I have never reported my cats bites b/c all the cats I deal with are UTD on rabies. I just call my brother and I have a standing order for antibios. I am lucky to have a Dr. in the family. He doesn't understand my love and passion for my rescue work, but helps me out anyway... That's a good bro'.

That is lucky. This one is gross. I have cellulitis around one the punctures and that one is oozing pus with gentle pressure after the epsom soak. This is a good thing right? To get the pus out? This is only my second day of antibiotics the incident occurred wednesday at like 400 am.

This is the first time I have bitten by anything bigger than a hamster that drew blood.

I can't understand why they will not let you visit her at the vet. I don't think I would accept that, I would be making a fuss and insist on being able to visit.

This is so terrible for both you and your kitty. for heaven sake your vet KNOWS your cat is up to date on shots.

Even I didn't have to go through that with Mazy, and New York State is fanatic about rabies, especially my area, as it is rampant.

Mazy bit me two weeks after I adopted her from the shelter, but she did not have to be quarantined as she was up to date.

Keep soaking the wound several times a day. Add some dishwashing liquid, I use palmolive, to the warm water, it is soothing and keeps the wound clean. Don't mess with it otherwise. The antibiotics need time to work.

I am not sure either. I think it is absurd also. I grew up in the country and I'm positive this would not happen where I used to live, (probably bc there is no real city limit there). I live in the city of Fort Worth now and apparently all things ridiculous rule. I have already cried about it. I got her some of her favorite cat food and treats to take her. I asked if they would brush her hair, she gets it brushed everyday. It is really funny I have never seen a cat who loves it so much, she also has long hair. I asked if they would brush it and they said no! So I am not sure what the all the money goes for...small cage rental and liter change for 7 days? I found out they are counting it 10 days from the bite not from me handing her over. I have to take her by 3 pm today. 224 is for the boarding and then she also get two exams from my vet one on entrance one on exit and a new rabies vaccine that totals to 321 but her rabies is up this summer anyway. So she would have been needing it soon.

Ouch! Sorry you got bit. I got bit on my wrist about 10 years ago by a cat, he hit the bone with this teeth and left a nice big scratch all down my hand (I was holding him when a dog got out and he want ape!) I ended up with IV antibiotics and a splint on my wrist.

Epsom salts is a great idea. I absolutely LOVE this stuff. It works by drawing toxins out your body.

If you can find some Arnica cream or tablets (most natural health stores carry them) this will also speed up the healing of the bruising.

Hope you feel better soon!!

I am amazed by how well the epsom salts worked. It already looks so much better I soaked it twice yesterday and I am going to do it again a little later today. I got my kitty dropped off. She cried and panted and hide in the corner of the little cage they put her in and it was very sad.

They did say I could call and check on her and I am sure I will everyday. So I will keep you updated. The tech came out as I was about to leave and said she was already calming down and had came to the front of the cage and laid down.

Is it the law in Texas that your own cat, who is up-to-date on her shots, has to be quarantined? I was bitten by one of mine a few years ago, with 4 deep puncture wounds that got severely infected (took 3 courses of antibiotics to heal). We had only had the cat for a month or so, and he'd been given his rabies shot just 2 weeks before the bite. I didn't go to the ER, just to my regular dr., who asked if the cat was current on shots. There was no "reporting the cat to the authorities" and no quarantine. So, that's why I'm curious; is this a state-to-state law, or did I get off easy?

They keep telling me that it is the law in Texas and they even gave me a nice little handout. However, my neighbor and the vet tech also said it really depends on the officer you get, how much they will work with you. The one I got had her radio in the background while I was trying to speak with her and I had to ask her to turn it down because I could not hear her over the music. She said I could call her superior and I did. I left her message with two contact numbers for me around 3pm and on the vmail she said her shift would end at 7pm. I never heard back and I would be out of compliance if I didn't surrender her by 3pm today.