First bite - what a day

lazer

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I was at the shelter today working in quarantine. We had three cats there - one really sweet one and two really stressed and scared ones who were hissing and spitting. This is common, quarantine is the first place they stay when they are brought in so that we can make sure they're not sick and such before moving them to the more social cat areas. So they are often scared and stressed in a brand new place, and want nothing to do with any of it. Out of these three cats, guess which one bit me. Yup, the one super sweet and friendly one, right at the start of the shift.

I was in his room cleaning the litterbox, sweeping, etc. He was being super affectionate - nuzzling, headbutting me, rolling over, following me around. And yet, one moment he was leaning into my hand contentedly for scratches and the next he was locking his jaws into my hand and jerking my hand back and forth, not letting go for maybe 3 seconds or so. The whole thing was totally silent and with zero warning that I could see. Not sure what triggered him; I suspect I touched some part of his head that he did not like. I just stayed still and quiet so as not to freak him out more. Then, right after he lets go, he starts asking for more scratches!

Anyway, I cleaned and dressed the wound (he made some pretty good punctures on either side of my hand around the fleshy thumb bit) and finished my shift. Afterwards I decided to go to the doctor to get it looked at to be safe since I knew it was probably time for a tetanus booster anyway and he really got his teeth in there good (it took all my willpower to do it, I have a phobia of needles! Another nurse had to hold my hand...). Now I'm home with a tetanus booster, a course of antibiotics, and a not-very-functional right hand. 

I really hope that cat doesn't hate me now. He was really sweet, I still don't know exactly what I did to set him off and hope that his bad experience with whatever it was won't ruin our budding "relationship" :)
 

jcat

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It happens, and quarantine seems to be where it's most likely to, no matter how tame and friendly the cat appears to be. We usually put it down to the cat suffering from "cabin fever", since there's rarely a repeat once the cat is out of quarantine provided it's not a (semi-)feral. Those bites can be extremely painful! Deep scratches become easily infected, too, so keeping UTD on your tetanus shots and getting quick medical care is vital.

That said, the biggest problems at our shelter are being cut by food can lids and being bitten by bunnies!

:vibes::vibes::vibes: that you heal quickly.
 

rubysmama

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Good thing you went to the doctor, as I've heard cat bites can get bad quickly.  How's your hand today?
 
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lazer

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Good thing you went to the doctor, as I've heard cat bites can get bad quickly.  How's your hand today?
It got quite swollen yesterday but today it seems the antibiotics have kicked in. Still some swelling but not as bad overall (I was actually able to hold my phone!). I am feeling a bit achy and under the weather in general, but I hear this is not unheard of after the tetanus shot. Thank you for asking!
 
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