HELP Just Bitten By Stray Kitten! - YorkieTalk.com Forums

Thorsmomma · 11-04-2006, 09:18 AM

I was feeding the little guy pork and he accidentaly bit my fingers (don't ask) and broke the skin in two places. WHAT SHOULD I DO? He doesn't act like he has rabbies...Any precautionary messures? EKKK!!

Peters · 11-04-2006, 09:31 AM

most likely he doesn't have rabies. make sure you clean it out good with peroxide or alcohol you should be ok .but you can get cat stratch fever it is an infection that will make glands in your neck swell..from bacteria under the cats dirty claws i think it's mailnly from scratches but it's not really all that common maybe try a bowl when feeding stray /strange animals.

Thorsmomma · 11-04-2006, 09:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peters

most likely he doesn't have rabies. make sure you clean it out good with peroxide or alcohol you should be ok .but you can get cat stratch fever it is an infection that will make glands in your neck swell..from bacteria under the cats dirty claws i think it's mailnly from scratches but it's not really all that common maybe try a bowl when feeding stray /strange animals.

Thanks...my common sense you'v reassured me, thanks!

KellyV · 11-04-2006, 09:46 AM

Please call your doctor and tell them what happened. They may want to put you on antibiotics to be safe...... Cat bites are horrible and very often lead to infections!

Thorsmomma · 11-04-2006, 09:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KellyV

Please call your doctor and tell them what happened. They may want to put you on antibiotics to be safe...... Cat bites are horrible and very often lead to infections!

Ahhhh seriously???

Surfie and Tiki · 11-04-2006, 10:10 AM

If your finger does not swell or get hot you should be fine. As Peters said, put alcohol or peroxide on it. When that happened to me years ago mine got very infected, and I went to the doctor. (Broke up a cat fight, I was badly bit in three places on my hand) Anyway, he gave me a tetness shot (sp) and antibiotics. Do not worry if your finger does not swell, just keep putting peroxide on it. If you still have no swelling or your finger does not feel hot by this evening you should be fine.

red98vett · 11-04-2006, 10:46 AM

I was petting a cat when I was a little kid & for no reason he/she bit me - I had to get a tetnus shot - not FUN let me tell you - it hurt like crazy -

I would put a call into your doc or the ER and speak to a RN - see what they say -

KellyV · 11-04-2006, 11:24 AM

Seriously... At the very least call. I've heard of people needing to have parts amputated 'cuz a cat bite became infected... Of course they probably ignored the warning signs of infection to begin with... But IMO, better safe than sorry.

browniesmom622 · 11-04-2006, 11:29 AM

How should I take care of a bite from a cat or a dog?
Here are some things you should do to take care of a wound caused by a cat or dog bite:

If necessary, call your doctor (see the list below).
Wash the wound gently with soap and water.
Apply pressure with a clean towel to the injured part to stop the bleeding.
Apply a sterile bandage to the wound.
Keep the injury elevated above the level of the heart to slow swelling and prevent infection.
Report the incident to the proper authority in your community (for example, animal control office or police).
Apply antibiotic ointment to the area 2 times every day until it heals.

Call your doctor in any of these situations:

You have a cat bite. Cat bites often cause infection. You don't need to call your doctor for a cat scratch, unless you think the wound is infected.
You have a dog bite on your hand, foot or head, or you have a bite that is deep or gaping.
You have diabetes, liver or lung disease, cancer, acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) or another condition that could weaken your ability to fight infection.
You have any signs of infection, such as redness, swelling, warmth, increased tenderness, oozing of pus from the wound or fever.
You have bleeding that doesn't stop after 15 minutes of pressure or you think you may have a broken bone, nerve damage or another serious injury.
Your last tetanus shot (vaccine) was more than 5 years ago. (If so, you may need a booster shot.)

What will my doctor do?
Here are some things your doctor may do to treat a cat or dog bite:

Examine the wound for possible nerve or tendon damage, or bone injury. He or she will also check for signs of infection.
Clean the wound with a special solution and remove any damaged tissue.
May use stitches to close a bite wound, but often the wound is left open to heal, so the risk of infection is lowered.
May prescribe an antibiotic to prevent infection.
May give you a tetanus shot if you had your last shot more than 5 years ago.
May ask you to schedule an office visit to check your wound again in 1 to 2 days.
If your injury is severe, or if the infection has not gotten better even though you're taking antibiotics, your doctor may suggest that you see a specialist and/or go to the hospital, where you can get special medicine given directly in your veins (intravenous antibiotics) and further treatment if necessary

Will I need a rabies shot?
Probably not. Rabies is uncommon in dogs and cats in the United States. If a dog or cat that bit you appeared to be healthy at the time of the bite, it's unlikely that the animal had rabies. However, it's a good idea to take some precautions if you're bitten by a dog or cat.

If you know the owner of the dog or cat that bit you, ask for the pet's vaccination record (record of shots). An animal that appears healthy and has been vaccinated should still be quarantined (kept away from people and other animals) for 10 days to make sure it doesn't start showing signs of rabies. If the animal gets sick during the 10-day period, a veterinarian will test it for rabies. If the animal does have rabies, you will need to get a series of rabies shots (see below).

If the animal is a stray, or you can't find the owner of the dog or cat that bit you, call the animal control agency or health department in your area. They will try to find the animal so it can be tested for rabies.

If the animal control agency or health department can't find the animal that bit you, if the animal shows signs of rabies after the bite, or if a test shows that the animal has rabies, your doctor will probably want you to get a series of rabies shots (also called postexposure prophylaxis). You need to get the first shot as soon as possible after the bite occurs. After you receive the first shot, your doctor will give you 5 more shots over a 28-day period.

different site !
How to Treat a Cat Bite

As many as 40 percent of cat bites become infected and require medical care.

Instructions
STEP 1: Clean the wound immediately with soap and water, rubbing alcohol, or hydrogen peroxide. STEP 2: Put pressure on the wound to stop the bleeding. STEP 3: Hold the wound above your heart if the bite is on your hand or arm. STEP 4: Place a clean bandage over the wound. STEP 5: Assess the wound for signs of infection: unusual redness or swelling, increasing warmth in the area, red streaking, or fever. See a doctor if signs of infection develop. STEP 6: Get a tetanus shot if your primary series is incomplete or if it has been more than five years since your last shot. STEP 7: Determine the rabies vaccine status of the cat. The cat should be observed for 15 days to see if it develops signs of rabies if its vaccine status is uncertain. Tips & Warnings
Rabies is a virus that can be fatal if a vaccine is not administered in time.
Seek medical care if the wound is gaping, if bleeding does not stop within 15 minutes, or if you have specific medical conditions or concerns. This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice or treatment.

Thorsmomma · 11-04-2006, 04:12 PM

Thanks guys. Since my doc is closed today, I'm just keeping and eye on it. I appreciate everyone's response. When the little guy bit me it totally freaked me out cause he was a little dumpster cat and I thought "Sh*t, I'm gonna catch something horrible!" At any sign of redness I'll see my doc. It's not tender tonight, so I think it's okay. I squeezed to make it bleed more and flush anything out (i dunno if that would even make a difference).

SWEET STORY:
We've been feeding/trying to catch these two little kitties for three days. First day we couldn't even get near them, and today, I just walked slowly up to this kitten while talking to him and he let me pick him up. His sibbling is still there

We are going to get a freindly trap to get him and find him a forever home.
I named the little guy I caught Santorini. He fits in one hand, so tiny and soo boney. I washed him, and clipped his nails, and fed him and cuddled with him and he is the most lovey little guy ever. So after I cleaned Santorini up, I brought him to my neighbors house and they are going to keep him. It's so a great ending! I'll post pics soon!

Marie · 11-04-2006, 04:17 PM

Wow, everyone give you great advise. Keep an eye on it.Maybe you can call the ER and see what they said. Hopefully you should be find. Keep us posted.

Thorsmomma · 11-04-2006, 04:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marie

Wow, everyone give you great advise. Keep an eye on it.Maybe you can call the ER and see what they said. Hopefully you should be find. Keep us posted.

I know! And sp quickly too! That's why I love my buds at Yorkie Talk!!!

YorkieShadow · 11-04-2006, 04:34 PM

That happened to my son before too. He was feeding a little stray that was dropped off at his GF house and he too gave it some meat and it bit his finger. and let me tell you its going to get sore. Just keep it clean and its best to keep any animal that has biten some one for 10 days.I'm sure youll be ok a little sore but hang on to the kitten for 10 days just in case. Hope your finger feels better soon. Youll have to post pictures of the little kittens.
I just had a litter of kittens that the stray cat had and just found them all good homes. Good luck.

Thorsmomma · 11-04-2006, 04:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by YorkieShadow

That happened to my son before too. He was feeding a little stray that was dropped off at his GF house and he too gave it some meat and it bit his finger. and let me tell you its going to get sore. Just keep it clean and its best to keep any animal that has biten some one for 10 days.I'm sure youll be ok a little sore but hang on to the kitten for 10 days just in case. Hope your finger feels better soon. Youll have to post pictures of the little kittens.
I just had a litter of kittens that the stray cat had and just found them all good homes. Good luck.

Sweet!! This is the second time I have rescued kittens (hopefully I'll get Santorini's lil' bro tomorrow)
As for keeping him for 10 days, he's 3 houses down the road from me so I'll get to see him grow up...even more than ten days!!

YorkieShadow · 11-04-2006, 04:53 PM

I was meaning ten days after a animal bite is what they tell you to keep the animal, Because of rabies. Im not saying the kitten had rabies . I was just saying they like to keep the animal 10 days after a bite. Just in case.

Im so glad youll get to see the kitten from time to time and see it grow.

11-04-2006, 09:18 AM	#1
Thorsmomma I Love Thor Donating Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: British Columbia, Canada Posts: 4,177 Blog Entries: 1	HELP Just Bitten By Stray Kitten! I was feeding the little guy pork and he accidentaly bit my fingers (don't ask) and broke the skin in two places. WHAT SHOULD I DO? He doesn't act like he has rabbies...Any precautionary messures? EKKK!! __________________ Hannah & Thor & Harry The boys on DOGSTER

11-04-2006, 09:31 AM	#2
Peters YT 2000 Club Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Alabama Posts: 2,225	most likely he doesn't have rabies. make sure you clean it out good with peroxide or alcohol you should be ok .but you can get cat stratch fever it is an infection that will make glands in your neck swell..from bacteria under the cats dirty claws i think it's mailnly from scratches but it's not really all that common maybe try a bowl when feeding stray /strange animals. __________________ A pet's love is true right from the start, through good times and bad, like sharing one heart.

11-04-2006, 10:10 AM	#6
Surfie and Tiki My little Beach Bums Donating Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Southern CA Posts: 1,218	If your finger does not swell or get hot you should be fine. As Peters said, put alcohol or peroxide on it. When that happened to me years ago mine got very infected, and I went to the doctor. (Broke up a cat fight, I was badly bit in three places on my hand) Anyway, he gave me a tetness shot (sp) and antibiotics. Do not worry if your finger does not swell, just keep putting peroxide on it. If you still have no swelling or your finger does not feel hot by this evening you should be fine. __________________ Janell, Surfie, Tiki, and Kona

11-04-2006, 10:46 AM	#7
red98vett Yorkie Kisses are the Best! Donating Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Houston TX Posts: 33,590 Blog Entries: 1	I was petting a cat when I was a little kid & for no reason he/she bit me - I had to get a tetnus shot - not FUN let me tell you - it hurt like crazy - I would put a call into your doc or the ER and speak to a RN - see what they say - __________________ Villette, Chanel & Cheri www.DesignsByVillette.net Custom Address Labels and Note Cards using YOUR Photos! Just Click HERE!

11-04-2006, 11:29 AM	#9
browniesmom622 Donating YT 3000 Club Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: ny Posts: 11,253 Blog Entries: 5	How should I take care of a bite from a cat or a dog? Here are some things you should do to take care of a wound caused by a cat or dog bite: If necessary, call your doctor (see the list below). Wash the wound gently with soap and water. Apply pressure with a clean towel to the injured part to stop the bleeding. Apply a sterile bandage to the wound. Keep the injury elevated above the level of the heart to slow swelling and prevent infection. Report the incident to the proper authority in your community (for example, animal control office or police). Apply antibiotic ointment to the area 2 times every day until it heals. Call your doctor in any of these situations: You have a cat bite. Cat bites often cause infection. You don't need to call your doctor for a cat scratch, unless you think the wound is infected. You have a dog bite on your hand, foot or head, or you have a bite that is deep or gaping. You have diabetes, liver or lung disease, cancer, acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) or another condition that could weaken your ability to fight infection. You have any signs of infection, such as redness, swelling, warmth, increased tenderness, oozing of pus from the wound or fever. You have bleeding that doesn't stop after 15 minutes of pressure or you think you may have a broken bone, nerve damage or another serious injury. Your last tetanus shot (vaccine) was more than 5 years ago. (If so, you may need a booster shot.) What will my doctor do? Here are some things your doctor may do to treat a cat or dog bite: Examine the wound for possible nerve or tendon damage, or bone injury. He or she will also check for signs of infection. Clean the wound with a special solution and remove any damaged tissue. May use stitches to close a bite wound, but often the wound is left open to heal, so the risk of infection is lowered. May prescribe an antibiotic to prevent infection. May give you a tetanus shot if you had your last shot more than 5 years ago. May ask you to schedule an office visit to check your wound again in 1 to 2 days. If your injury is severe, or if the infection has not gotten better even though you're taking antibiotics, your doctor may suggest that you see a specialist and/or go to the hospital, where you can get special medicine given directly in your veins (intravenous antibiotics) and further treatment if necessary Will I need a rabies shot? Probably not. Rabies is uncommon in dogs and cats in the United States. If a dog or cat that bit you appeared to be healthy at the time of the bite, it's unlikely that the animal had rabies. However, it's a good idea to take some precautions if you're bitten by a dog or cat. If you know the owner of the dog or cat that bit you, ask for the pet's vaccination record (record of shots). An animal that appears healthy and has been vaccinated should still be quarantined (kept away from people and other animals) for 10 days to make sure it doesn't start showing signs of rabies. If the animal gets sick during the 10-day period, a veterinarian will test it for rabies. If the animal does have rabies, you will need to get a series of rabies shots (see below). If the animal is a stray, or you can't find the owner of the dog or cat that bit you, call the animal control agency or health department in your area. They will try to find the animal so it can be tested for rabies. If the animal control agency or health department can't find the animal that bit you, if the animal shows signs of rabies after the bite, or if a test shows that the animal has rabies, your doctor will probably want you to get a series of rabies shots (also called postexposure prophylaxis). You need to get the first shot as soon as possible after the bite occurs. After you receive the first shot, your doctor will give you 5 more shots over a 28-day period. different site ! How to Treat a Cat Bite As many as 40 percent of cat bites become infected and require medical care. Instructions STEP 1: Clean the wound immediately with soap and water, rubbing alcohol, or hydrogen peroxide. STEP 2: Put pressure on the wound to stop the bleeding. STEP 3: Hold the wound above your heart if the bite is on your hand or arm. STEP 4: Place a clean bandage over the wound. STEP 5: Assess the wound for signs of infection: unusual redness or swelling, increasing warmth in the area, red streaking, or fever. See a doctor if signs of infection develop. STEP 6: Get a tetanus shot if your primary series is incomplete or if it has been more than five years since your last shot. STEP 7: Determine the rabies vaccine status of the cat. The cat should be observed for 15 days to see if it develops signs of rabies if its vaccine status is uncertain. Tips & Warnings Rabies is a virus that can be fatal if a vaccine is not administered in time. Seek medical care if the wound is gaping, if bleeding does not stop within 15 minutes, or if you have specific medical conditions or concerns. This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice or treatment. __________________ We Love our Yt Angel! My Website< > FB page

11-04-2006, 09:46 AM	#4
KellyV YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 776	Please call your doctor and tell them what happened. They may want to put you on antibiotics to be safe...... Cat bites are horrible and very often lead to infections!

11-04-2006, 11:24 AM	#8
KellyV YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 776	Seriously... At the very least call. I've heard of people needing to have parts amputated 'cuz a cat bite became infected... Of course they probably ignored the warning signs of infection to begin with... But IMO, better safe than sorry.

11-04-2006, 04:12 PM	#10
Thorsmomma I Love Thor Donating Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: British Columbia, Canada Posts: 4,177 Blog Entries: 1	sweet ending Thanks guys. Since my doc is closed today, I'm just keeping and eye on it. I appreciate everyone's response. When the little guy bit me it totally freaked me out cause he was a little dumpster cat and I thought "Sht, I'm gonna catch something horrible!" At any sign of redness I'll see my doc. It's not tender tonight, so I think it's okay. I squeezed to make it bleed more and flush anything out (i dunno if that would even make a difference). SWEET STORY: We've been feeding/trying to catch these two little kitties for three days. First day we couldn't even get near them, and today, I just walked slowly up to this kitten while talking to him and he let me pick him up. His sibbling is still there We are going to get a freindly trap to get him and find him a forever home. I named the little guy I caught Santorini. He fits in one hand, so tiny and soo boney. I washed him, and clipped his nails, and fed him and cuddled with him and he is the most lovey little guy ever. So after I cleaned Santorini up, I brought him to my neighbors house and they are going to keep him. It's so a great ending! I'll post pics soon! __________________ Hannah* & Thor & Harry The boys on DOGSTER

11-04-2006, 04:17 PM	#11
Marie Mom loves Gucci Donating Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: New York City Posts: 6,427	Wow, everyone give you great advise. Keep an eye on it.Maybe you can call the ER and see what they said. Hopefully you should be find. Keep us posted. __________________ Huggies, Gucci and Marie http://www.dogster.com/?132187 "I have been egged"

11-04-2006, 04:34 PM	#13
YorkieShadow BANNED! Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: USA Posts: 9,999	That happened to my son before too. He was feeding a little stray that was dropped off at his GF house and he too gave it some meat and it bit his finger. and let me tell you its going to get sore. Just keep it clean and its best to keep any animal that has biten some one for 10 days.I'm sure youll be ok a little sore but hang on to the kitten for 10 days just in case. Hope your finger feels better soon. Youll have to post pictures of the little kittens. I just had a litter of kittens that the stray cat had and just found them all good homes. Good luck.

11-04-2006, 04:53 PM	#15
YorkieShadow BANNED! Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: USA Posts: 9,999	I was meaning ten days after a animal bite is what they tell you to keep the animal, Because of rabies. Im not saying the kitten had rabies . I was just saying they like to keep the animal 10 days after a bite. Just in case. Im so glad youll get to see the kitten from time to time and see it grow.