Cat Scratch fever

Does one get it from a bite or a clawing?

Molly got me good yesterday, and I found it hard to sleep, and today even though I washed it with antibacterial soap and put neosporin on it, it was infected badly by morning.
I did by some bactine liquid and polysporin, as well as isopropryl alcohol, and it seems to be receeding for the most part, but I wanted to make sure this wasn't likely something serious other than Molly needing her claws taken up.
-D

Please go see a Dr. if it is already infected. Bites and scratches are nothing to take lightly! Even if it isn't Cat Scratch Fever, it can lead to very nasty infections with very bad effects.

It's mostly healed by now, again. it just concerned me that it got infected so quick. Isopropryl will do for most infections unless it's merely symptomatic, is why I asked.

There is a blood test your doctor can do to determine if you are susceptible to cat scratch fever. My one sister almost lost her arm a few years ago to a cat bite. When they did the blood test they found out she had this susceptibility. I get bit and scratched often. Now, I just pour bleach over the scratches, though I would never do it over an open wound. The doc in the ER told me this tip once.

I treat open bites with a good washing of antibacterial soap, rinse, then use betadine, then neosporin. I watch for heat, swelling, bad drainage or if it doesn't stop bleeding. They are not to be treated lightly, they can get infected quite easily.

I've been alcoholing it every 30 minutes, and neosporining inbetween. the swelling, and heat have gone down, and the infection is completely dry..
I guess I didn't realize that she got me quite so good, but I even have a spot where her dew claw dug in.

So cat scratch fever is a real thing?

Definitely take scratches and bites seriously. Our old cat, Straycat, bit me on the leg once. I washed out the bite with alcohol right away, but still ended up with a really nasty infection that took months to get cleared up, and have a nice scar to remember him by. In the ER they told me a cat bite is much more dangerous than a dog bite, because cats' teeth are so much sharper.

Originally Posted by jcat

Definitely take scratches and bites seriously. Our old cat, Straycat, bit me on the leg once. I washed out the bite with alcohol right away, but still ended up with a really nasty infection that took months to get cleared up, and have a nice scar to remember him by. In the ER they told me a cat bite is much more dangerous than a dog bite, because cats' teeth are so much sharper.

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So it is from bites not scratches then?

It can actually be from either, but it is more prevalent with bites. My sister got bit so severley the cat lost it's tooth, it embedded in her bone!

But yes, Cat Scratch Fever is not just a song, it is a nasty disease that can result from a bite or a scratch of a cat.

I imagine I'm just off my body today because I've been stripping the paper and washing the walls, priming and painting all weekend