Bit by a feral cat

smokepeachangel

TCS Member
Thread starter
Young Cat
Joined
Apr 17, 2008
Messages
54
Purraise
1
Location
California
Hello,

        I feed and take in feral cats and find them homes. There is a female cat that had kittens a few months ago that Ive been working on for a while now. One of her kittens got its foot stuck in out fence and was hanging there so naturally I tried to unstick it and it bit me several times in several locations on both of my hands ( The only reason I can type right now is cause I took a pain killer). I wasnt sure if I should go to the hospital and if I need to get any shots or if its infected but it does hurt horibly and I cannot make a full fist bending it hurts to much. Any suggestions or reccomendations.
 

StefanZ

Advisor
Staff Member
Advisor
Joined
Sep 18, 2005
Messages
25,973
Purraise
10,596
Location
Sweden
Best to take the safe and go to the hospital, or at least, a well equipped surgeon doc place.

Cat bites gives easily infections, and they may also be deep.  You could got injuries in sensitive places, tendons and or leads...

The only you really dont need to fear now is rabies,  as the kitten had good reason to bite.

I know you were in a hurry, but the old lesson of every rescuer is to use protective gloves, thick clothes, and preferably also protective googles, or at least, some other sort of eye-glasses,

Asap to nearest doc!   This is more than just some scratches to use your home remedyies on.

Good luck!   *vibes*
 
Last edited:

StefanZ

Advisor
Staff Member
Advisor
Joined
Sep 18, 2005
Messages
25,973
Purraise
10,596
Location
Sweden
ps  you CAN wash of freely with lots of warm water, preferably a saline solution...  profusely.

If you have some mild bacteria killer, you can pour it too...  ASAP.

But go to the hospital too.
 

ritz

TCS Member
Veteran
Joined
Apr 2, 2010
Messages
4,656
Purraise
282
Location
Annapolis, MD
And you might want to be kind of vague about the cat who bit you.  Otherwise, Animal Control may try to trap the cat and at the very least quarantine it (unless you can prove it has been vaccinated against rabies).
 

jcat

Mo(w)gli's can opener
Veteran
Joined
Feb 13, 2003
Messages
73,213
Purraise
9,851
Location
Mo(w)gli Monster's Lair
Definitely go to the ER! I've been badly bitten in the hand twice. The first time I waited a few hours, and my hand swelled horribly. I ended up getting surgery, my whole arm was in a cast, and the wound had to be reopened every day, then every other day, by a surgeon for a week. I was on antibiotics for several weeks, painkillers for about two. I was told that a cat bite was much more serious than a dog bite and to go to the ER immediately after any bite. The second time I did, was whisked in to see a doctor ahead of all the other people waiting as soon as I said "cat bite", the wound was cleaned and I was given antibiotics. Result: no infection. The first time I also got a tetanus shot because I wasn't up to date.
 

mrblanche

TCS Member
Veteran
Joined
Jan 28, 2008
Messages
12,578
Purraise
119
Location
Texas
Run, do not walk, to the ER or your doctor.  Almost all cat bites get infected to some extent, and you will need to be treated for the infection aggressively and thoroughly.
 

gloriajh

FERAl born “Pepper”
Top Cat
Joined
Jun 17, 2006
Messages
2,027
Purraise
66
Location
CA - Desert
Run, do not walk, to the ER or your doctor.  Almost all cat bites get infected to some extent, and you will need to be treated for the infection aggressively and thoroughly.


I understand being in a place where you put yourself at risk trying to help any cat in distress - even knowing that risk I'd probably do the same - BUT, with the knowledge that I was bitten I'd be seeing the ER or the Doctor right after, too.  

I think someone on this forum was in a Cat show when her cat bit her and she almost waited too long before seeking medical attention. I learned from her story that I should never let a bite go without getting medical attention no matter how small the bite might be.

There are some gruesome pics on the web if you want to see what happens when a wound gets infected from a cat bite. 


Hope you are well, and the kitten is doing good, too.
 

feralvr

TCS Member
Veteran
Joined
Dec 30, 2010
Messages
18,474
Purraise
689
Location
Northwest Indiana
I absolutely agree that you should get to the doctor right away. Cat bites can become seriously infected very quickly. I would also agree with Ritz and be unsure about which cat bit you because animal control will come out and set traps. It really wasn't the kittens fault OR your fault - you were just trying to free the feral kitten from the fence. I learned the hard way once too, always where protective gloves when dealing with hands-on contact with feral cats. The most important thing, though, right now, is to get yourself medical attention. Please let us know!!!!!! :vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes:
 
Last edited:

jennyr

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Dec 6, 2004
Messages
13,348
Purraise
593
Location
The Land of Cheese
I was bitten a nad scratched badly by a feral who was attacking my cats, and although I went to the ER immediately I got an infection that abcessed and I had to have 6 weeks of daily treatment. Cat bites are not to be messed with.
 

catsallaround

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Mar 21, 2009
Messages
3,104
Purraise
66
Curious-does anyone in rescue/showing also have a supply of antibiotics on hand?  Sometimes IV would be needed supplied by dr/hospital but starting right away could really help reduce chance of animal control,infection and cost.  I know its helped me in past.
 

orientalslave

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Jan 23, 2012
Messages
3,425
Purraise
114
Location
Scotland
My cat bit me at the vets at 5pm - too late for the local small injuries clinic.  It was quite swollen and red the next morning, had 7 days (or was it 10?) of a big dose of Flufloxacillin, the GP had a student in with him and explained to her that they ALWAYS treat cat bites.  A friend was taken to A&E and was put on two different types of antibiotic - that was a cat in her boarding cattery that did the damage.
 

gloriajh

FERAl born “Pepper”
Top Cat
Joined
Jun 17, 2006
Messages
2,027
Purraise
66
Location
CA - Desert
Curious-does anyone in rescue/showing also have a supply of antibiotics on hand?  Sometimes IV would be needed supplied by dr/hospital but starting right away could really help reduce chance of animal control,infection and cost.  I know its helped me in past.
I rescue cats - and - we have 9 cats living inside with us.  I have alcohol in every room as well as a tube of antibiotics. Because I have a FeLV cat I also keep a container of bleach solution to wash his dishes - I wouldn't think twice about sticking my hand into that solution if necessary.

Here's an interesting link:  http://www.feralcatbehavior.com/782/stray-cats-and-cat-bites.html
What to do about a cat bite or a scratch:
Statistics show that 80% of cat bites become infected. I keep an emergency cat bite box available in my cat room upstairs. Inside, I have a basin- epsom salts, betadine solution, hydrogen peroxide, small container of bleach, 4×4 squares, paper tape (doesn’t pull your hairs like regular tape does) and an antibacterial cream.

You should have your tetanus up-to-date if you do any sort of work with strays. If not, do not pass go, do not collect one-hundred dollars, beat your feet quickly to the nearest ER room and get that bite looked at as well as updating your shot.
 

carolina

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Nov 17, 2008
Messages
14,759
Purraise
215
Location
Corinth, TX
My cat Hope is one of these who gets over-stimulated by petting, and always ends up biting me.... then she regrets and licks, licks and licks my hand :lol3::lol3::lol3: Anyways, I get bitten very very often - and always breaks the skin. I am so used to it, not even funny :rolleyes:
I have a bottle of colloidal silver always handy - I wash the bite with soap and water, soak a cotton ball with Colloidal Silver, put on the top of the bite, and wrap some surgical tape around it - I then sleep with it. I do this immediately.
I have never gotten an infection - EVER.
I am not afraid of bites, not at the least...... I would, had I not have Colloidal Silver at home..... but it never failed me.
Because I get bitten often, I just make sure my tetanus shot is up to date.
 
Last edited:

feralvr

TCS Member
Veteran
Joined
Dec 30, 2010
Messages
18,474
Purraise
689
Location
Northwest Indiana
I have a bottle of colloidal silver always handy - I wash the bite with soap and water, soak a cotton ball with Colloidal Silver, put on the top of the bite, and wrap some surgical tape around it - I then sleep with it. I do this immediately.
I have never gotten an infection - EVER.
I am not afraid of bites, not at the least...... I would, had I not have Colloidal Silver at home..... but it never failed me.
.
Good point - using the Colloidal Silver :clap::clap::clap: Since you suggested this for Perla and I ordered the same kind you use - I have found I am using for many skin issues on both my cats, my dogs and us!!!! Really is great to have on hand. I have a problem with Pipsqueak going after the dogs and blaming them for anything and everything that goes wrong in the household. He scratched up Wilbur's ear a couple of weeks ago pretty badly. Within 24 hours of using the CS on Wibur's ear - it was already healing and scabbing up.
 

gloriajh

FERAl born “Pepper”
Top Cat
Joined
Jun 17, 2006
Messages
2,027
Purraise
66
Location
CA - Desert
I have an unopened box with a bottle of Colloidal Silver - I bought it before a man was in the news with all of his skin BLUE!  So, I haven't even opened it. 


Here's just one link about that story:  http://askville.amazon.com/man-skin...ack-normal/AnswerViewer.do?requestId=58752533

Guess I'll have to see if the expiration date is still good, and keep it handy, ... and ... I guess I'll do more research on using Colloidial Silver.  
 

carolina

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Nov 17, 2008
Messages
14,759
Purraise
215
Location
Corinth, TX
I have an unopened box with a bottle of Colloidal Silver - I bought it before a man was in the news with all of his skin BLUE!  So, I haven't even opened it. :lol3:

Here's just one link about that story:  http://askville.amazon.com/man-skin-turned-blue-fro-colloidal-silver-back-normal/AnswerViewer.do?requestId=58752533



Guess I'll have to see if the expiration date is still good, and keep it handy, ... and ... I guess I'll do more research on using Colloidial Silver.  :)
That man took a ridiculous amount of CS, orally, for over 14 years.... yeah... you do that, it can do that to you....
CS has amazing properties, but people can be stupid with anything, really :lol3:
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #17

smokepeachangel

TCS Member
Thread starter
Young Cat
Joined
Apr 17, 2008
Messages
54
Purraise
1
Location
California
I ended up going to ER on Wed and had to have a tetnis shot  2 doses of strong antibiotics and pain killers they thought I was gonna need surgery at first but decided against it and sent me home 5 hours later with 2 weeks of strong antibiotics and pain killers Its doing a little better now lesson learned wear protection They thought about trapping cat but didnt thank god. He as well as siblings and mom are still in our back yard and I still take care of them more cautiously now of course thanks for the in put everyone I appreciate it :-D I just wish the antibiotics didnt make me sick and the pain killers didnt put me to sleep Ive been a zombie the last few days 
 

gloriajh

FERAl born “Pepper”
Top Cat
Joined
Jun 17, 2006
Messages
2,027
Purraise
66
Location
CA - Desert
I ended up going to ER on Wed and had to have a tetnis shot  2 doses of strong antibiotics and pain killers they thought I was gonna need surgery at first but decided against it and sent me home 5 hours later with 2 weeks of strong antibiotics and pain killers Its doing a little better now lesson learned wear protection They thought about trapping cat but didnt thank god. He as well as siblings and mom are still in our back yard and I still take care of them more cautiously now of course thanks for the in put everyone I appreciate it :-D I just wish the antibiotics didnt make me sick and the pain killers didnt put me to sleep Ive been a zombie the last few days 
awe    


no matter how many lessons we learn -  there always seems to be a twist - especially when you're in an emergency situation like a kitten caught in something and you don't have anything on to protect you 
  

Another concern is rabies - so, I hope you're able to watch the kitten for any signs of illness. If you are new to TNR, (Trap, Neuter, and Release) I suggest that you research it, get your own trap, find a free clinic in your area, and try to trap and neuter, and release (back into your back yard) yourself.  
 That's what I do because I know what happens to them if they get trapped by the town's animal control.

Meanwhile, I hope you heal completely and come back from Zombie Land soon.   


Glad you didn't have to have surgery - but make sure you don't delay going back if this doesn't clear up soon.
 

feralvr

TCS Member
Veteran
Joined
Dec 30, 2010
Messages
18,474
Purraise
689
Location
Northwest Indiana
OMG... I am SO glad you went in. AWWW, hun, :hugs: I am glad that you did not need surgery. Cat/kitten bites can get very serious quickly. I hope you are recovering well. :hugs: :cross: Mega vibes to you :vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes:
 

catspaw66

TCS Member
Veteran
Joined
May 5, 2012
Messages
5,508
Purraise
1,616
Location
Waldron, Arkansas
Go to Harbour Freight or Home Depot or someplace like that and get a pair of welder's gloves.  The ones that come almost to the elbow.  Keep them by the door.   My brother gave me a couple of pairs and I use them when putting wood in the woodstove.  They are thick enough that it would take a good bite to get through them.
 
Top