February 25th, 2010 → 6:18 am @ admin // 6 Comments
My neighbors cat was rescued from under a termite fumigation tent. I was checking her vitals and she started to seize. I set her down until she stopped but she started to go a little haywire. Instead of letting her jump off the balcony I caught her. She caught my finger and instinctively bit. I only have the one puncture wound but my finger is swollen and throbs. I figured this was normal given the situation. I’ve rinsed it out and put neosporin on it. I dont have health insurance since I lost my job so going to the drs is a last resort. I’m not running a fever. Just the tip of my finger sucks. How long should I give it before I reluctantly go see a dr? Im thinking it should be fine with continuous cleaning and antibiotic ointment. Just wondered if there was a Dr in the house or someone with insight to shed light on my situation. Thank you for the help in advance.
kattaddo
1 year ago
Well done for rescuing that cat ! Your finger should be OK as you’ve cleaned it well and put antibiotic ointment on.Cat bites are really painful I know and take a while to heal.I had a swollen hand for a whole week from a cat bite once, but it did gradually get better.
If you start feeling sick or very hot or you don’t feel like eating, you really should see a doctor or even a nurse as you may need antibiotic tablets. Also check your tetanus vaccinations are up to date.You’d be very unlucky to have caught anything from the bite but if you feel at all worried do go for medical help as your health is important !
hudsongr
1 year ago
You may not have gotten all the bacteria out. Did you press to make it bleed more before cleaning?
If the finger tip is hot and hurts worse than yesterday you may need anantibiotic shot to fix it. Any walk in clinic can do that for you. My co-worker got nailed by her cat when she tried to bathe him and by the second day she knew she had to go in,the hand was throbbing and hot. The shot cleared it up in 2 or 3 days.
BTW, thanks for helping the cat. I hope he’s ok.
jasperro
1 year ago
Cat bites often do swell up, go red and itch but as long as you’ve cleaned the area well with antiseptic it should heal ok without infection. If you start running a temperature or feel generally unwell go and see your doctor but like as not you’ll be fine.
john
1 year ago
You will be fine.I have not been to a doctor in many years and have sustained numerous cat
bites and scratches.Just clean the wound with hydrogen peroxide every so often.
You are wonderful for taking care of the kitty.
Horsepla
1 year ago
You did everything I would have to!! Poor kitty.
I would still call your Dr. and see if he can work with you – explain the $/insurance situation. Some clinics can give you samples of antibiotics etc…
Try soaking your finger in warm salt water often. Unfortunately cat bites can cause pretty bad infections and depending on your own body they can take awhile to heal without help. And yes – they always feel much worse the next day!
Just use your common sense and if you start feeling too bad – seek professional help no matter the cost.
Good luck. Hope you feel better soon – and same for kitty. xoxo
Danny
1 year ago
Well it just so happens I was bit by my cat whilst playing and it was a tiny puncture wound. I would scrub it under warm water and then apply anticeptice cream on it. It’s easy to get a bacteria infection and then break into the blood causing septicemia. I didn’t think anything of my wound and suddenly it started to swell up and go red and was sore then I had red marks up my arm which was the blood poison so it can be dangerous if you don’t keep an eye on it, there no need to see a Dr unless it changed and becomes sore then the Dr will give you a course of antibiotics to kill the infection, it’s usually penacilin.
Danny