Question:
Two years ago, our young male cat made a huge miscalculation when he dove for my father-in-law's cheese and crackers: He bit his hand right down to the bone. The bite was made worse when both parties panicked. It was a disaster: hospitalization, IV antibiotics, blood poisoning and rehab. Wow! It was totally unexpected. The cat has been banned whenever we have visitors.Please speak to the proper medical care for cat bites, and also tips to avoid them.
A.A., Excelsior, MN Jul 16, 2006
Answer:
Accidental cat bites and deep scratches, especially in the elderly and people with compromised immune systems, are a health hazard. Scratches can cause "cat-scratch fever." Bites, which can be deep puncture wounds, can spread bacterial infection quickly into the bloodstream, resulting in septicemia.These wounds should be washed immediately in hot, running water (to stimulate bleeding) and soaked in a strong antiseptic such as iodine, and then antibiotics should be applied. If there is pain, swelling and redness six to 12 hours later, go to your doctor or to the emergency room.The best precaution is to know and understand your cat, handle him or her gently and avoid risks like eating a snack with a wild, young cat who might try to grab your food. Cats do respond to discipline like "get down" and "go away," and they must learn to respect boundaries. Overindulged cats (and dogs, too) often have less self-control and may accidentally (or deliberately) bite the hand that feeds them.
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