Kitten bit me?

My boyfriend and I were leaving Walmart late last night and we saw a small kitten running around the parking lot (8-10 weeks old). We went inside and purchased it food after capturing it. Once we got back to the house she began eating the food, but there was a bit of wet food on my finger so she went to eat it and bit me. She has not been aggressive whatsoever, so I know it was only cause she was hungry and smelt the wet food on my hand. We are taking her to the vet on Monday, however I'm slightly concerned seeing as she was a stray. My finger has two very small holes barely anything) however it is slightly sore and red around the bite. I washed my hands twice last night and this morning I used antibacterial wipes to wipe it down and put on Neosporin and a band aid. I've seen some pretty serious stuff on the internet about cat bites and I'm wondering if I should go to a doctor or just continue cleaning it and wait to see what's up with it? This is my first stray animal and I'm slightly worried.

The chances the kitten had a specific disease that is transferable to humans is incredibly low. (There hasn't been a cat to human transmission of rabies in the US for several decades.) The potential problem with cat bites is that their teeth are so narrow and needle-like that they create puncture wounds, so it's easier for bacteria to get trapped and start an infection. It's sounds like you've done a good job cleaning it. Continue using the neosporin and everything you've been doing. It's normal for your finger to be a little sore and red.

I don't want to say you definitely don't need to go to the doctor, just in case, but I've had cat bites before that healed well on their own and I never saw a doctor for it. But, I would recommend going in at the first sign of infection, so be on the lookout for swelling, pain getting worse rather than better, the wound feeling hot, pus, or redness spreading, especially in a streaking pattern. 

Hi Shelby, thank you for getting the kitten to safety! You deserve a big pat on the back for that first. [emoji]128512[/emoji] Does the kitten seem healthy? As far as the bite goes, the "official" answer is to see your doctor for any bite that breaks the skin (which might end up in the kitten being quarantined depending on the laws where you live.)

However, I've had many minor cat bites in my life and have never had any of them turn serious. So if I were in your shoes, I'd just keep any eye on it. If it seems worse tomorrow, then seek treatment. The only thing I would have done differently is that I would have immediately poured rubbing alcohol on it followed by the antibiotic cream and bandaid. My instinct says you'll probably be fine, just watch it carefully.

If there is any swelling or pus, go to an urgent care center and get an antibiotic. I once got bitten by one of my cats while giving him a pill, and my finger got infected but cleared up after I started antibiotics. It helps if you know someone, a friend or neighbor, who is an MD or RN who could take a look at it now to advise you. It's great you saved the kitten. People have a tendency to dump unwanted cats and kittens at Walmart, it's terrible.  

I've been lightly bitten many times with few or no problems. I've also been badly bit by a feral (7 spots with 2 down to the bone) and the infection started quite quickly. Within a few hours my hands were noticeably swollen. In that case, I was put on an antibiotic which cleared up the infection quickly. The wounds healed slowly and where one tooth nicked a knuckle deep in my hand, the spot stayed red and sore for a long time. The bigger issue is how the medical staff handles it. In my case, they reported it to the state and the cat was managed with a rabies protocol. Since I had the cat in a cage, it was placed into a strict quarantine for 10 days and then released back to me and I then started a 6 month confinement protocol. Only at the 5 month stage could I vaccinate her. So, it's important to get the treatment you need but you also should be aware of the bigger picture.