| Bitten by Cat(yup you read it right)
Posted: 7/3/2008 5:43:44 PM | Hello out there in POF land...
Yes, this sounds REALLY crazy...
I am "cat-sitting" for some neighbors. Have done it before. Petted the little lonely kitty a bit, checked the food, and there I was at the sink filling up the water bowl...
The little B@$!@rd ran up and bit me on the leg. Must be pretty mad he's left all alone.
Anyway...even though i AM a medical professional; I really know NOTHING about cat bites. I called the emergency vet I take my dogs to when needed. They told me feline bites are more infectious than canine bites. And, when I did an online search; it said 50-80% need antibiotics.
Just wanted to see if anyone else out there in the POND had been bitten by a little Mew Mew, and if so...Did you get and infection/ need antibiotics?
Thanks and Happy 4th!
Coco | |
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| Bitten by Cat(yup you read it right)
Posted: 7/3/2008 5:54:41 PM | | my maine coon bites frequently. he thinks it's funny or something. i've never gotten an infection. if you have a good immune system, you shouldn't have any problems. if you're really concerned, take some goldenseal and colloidal silver. | |
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| Bitten by Cat(yup you read it right)
Posted: 7/3/2008 6:06:48 PM | | I had a Manx that would bite you on the ankle if you didn't pet him when he wanted it. I've had many, many cats in my life (at one point we had a total of 16) and I've never gotten an infection from being bit by one. I'd just keep an eye on it and if it looks to be getting infected, go to the doc. | |
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| Bitten by Cat(yup you read it right)
Posted: 7/3/2008 6:14:06 PM | My pudder is always doing that to me coz he wants to play. Usually it's the hooks that get me.
Never got an infection. | |
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| Bitten by Cat(yup you read it right)
Posted: 7/3/2008 6:19:14 PM | thanks SO much to you that have posted...
i feel better already.was starting to worry about my leg swelling up for the holiday weekend! 
coco | |
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| Bitten by Cat(yup you read it right)
Posted: 7/3/2008 7:33:29 PM | ok good for ALL of you that did NOT get an infection.
my home cats have never gotten me ill.
one day i picked up the "porch kitty" i have picked him up MANY times before, but he was crabby that day. stupid me i picked him up again. YOOOOOOWWWWWWW!!!! he got me.
THEN i proceeded to get a serious!!! infection; 20 days of various antibiotics. why?? the top two drugs of choice for cat bites, i was allergic to. the 3rd the doc decided NOT to give me. hm why i asked. she said the pill ws too big and diffucult to swallow. heh no problem i told her, i started taking HUGE pills when i was about 4 or 5. she would NOT give it to me.
gave me the 4th down the line. wow it looked so good after the 3rd dose. went to work and before noon my arm was a baloon ( i am a sign language interpreter sooo i must have my arms. not like anyone else doesnt need their arms either) got hold of doc, told me to go to urgent care.
wel this went on fora week, trying which med worked. the culture showed negative but my doc said that is common for cat bites NOT to show growth on a culture. he said it was most probably (sp) passurella infection.
so i am NOW fine. the cat went to kitty heaven after his rabies testing. i still feel bad that that kitty is gone. he was a wonderful cat that someone once had as a pet, but "keft" him.
well i still have the 4 purple spots/scars on my arm :)
hope all is well. they are not anything to take lightly. i took all the precautions and still got infected though a home cat will be less infectious.
katte | |
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| Bitten by Cat(yup you read it right)
Posted: 7/3/2008 9:19:15 PM | | Be careful when handling feral cats, or better yet, don't. In my town several people contracted rabies from rabid cats, and there's a warning out about rabies in cats. | |
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| Bitten by Cat(yup you read it right)
Posted: 7/3/2008 9:23:53 PM | It happened to my mom about 10 years ago. My brother and his wife had gotten new kittens, and the cat they had did not like the little intruders, so my mom took Darrel to live with her.
It seemed a match made in heaven - Mom had company, and Darrel had no pesky kittens to annoy him. Months went by. Mom often commented on how Darrel liked to sit on her lap.
One day, just moments after his lap sitting/petting sessions, Mom walked past Darrel and he leapt out and attacked her leg with teeth and claws. Mom scrambled onto the dining room table to escape, and Darrel sat on the floor, keeping her treed with growls. Mom called for help out of the dining room window, and a neighbor called animal control, who came to her rescue.
She ended up having to have IV antibiotics. Darrel, after a week of quarantine, was put down. Mom was told by animal control that about once a year they had to deal with a cat that had inexplicably gone berserk like that, attacking its owner. | |
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| Bitten by Cat(yup you read it right)
Posted: 7/3/2008 10:04:49 PM | Unfortunately, you might not know for sure if a cat is current on its vaccinations. This happened to me when I was caring for a cat -- she suddenly bit me as hard as she could, like she was trying to rip right through my hand.
I called her vet, but they didn't have any record of her having a recent rabies vaccination, so they wanted to quarantine her for at least 30 days and give me the rabies vaccine.
In the interests of causing the least amount of trauma for everyone, including the cat's owner, I chose NOT to have her quarantined and NOT to get the rabies shot. Nothing seems to have happened. Much. *twitch*
HOWEVER, if it was a strange, outdoor cat or wild cat, you should go to your doctor for evaulation. If the puncture marks get red, swollen or seem infected, get checked out, too. Cats have lots of dirt and bacteria in their teeth and claws. | |
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| Bitten by Cat(yup you read it right)
Posted: 7/3/2008 10:06:40 PM | I've had cats all my life and yes, I have been bitten. Generally during play. But there have been a couple of times when it was unexpected.
Like the time I tried to stop two cats from fighting. No, that was actually an overall body scratching, not a bite.
Then there was the time.... but I think I was snoring AND kicked the cat; so I guess I asked for it.
I have noticed cats who are never loved and played with as kittens will grow up with a wierd idea of playing with humans. It generally includes biting, because that's how they play with each other - they fight, then lick and make up.
If they are really angry the tail warns you first before the claws or teeth come into play.
You can retrain them to get their lovin pets and playing without the claws or the teeth; but you have to set yourself up for the trial and error period during which you can't get mad... just persistant and encouraging. Good Luck. | |
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| Bitten by Cat(yup you read it right)
Posted: 7/3/2008 10:53:11 PM |
I have noticed cats who are never loved and played with as kittens will grow up with a wierd idea of playing with humans. It generally includes biting, because that's how they play with each other - they fight, then lick and make up.
Sounds like my ex-wife... | |
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| Bitten by Cat(yup you read it right)
Posted: 7/3/2008 10:55:33 PM | I work in a small animal vet clinic... so you're basically doomed to be bitten by cats.
If the cat's teeth actually create holes, it is wise to get some antibiotics just in case. You should also thoroughly wash/flush the wound with antibacterial soap, hydrogen peroxide, and I've also gone as far as flushing them with alcohol too. Since I work in a vet clinic each time I've been bitten I use betadine scrub, technicare, dial soap, and flush the crap out of it with hydrogen peroxide.
A good majority of bites heal with no issues, but if they get infected it's a BIG issue.
I had open heart surgery 8 years ago and as a precaution, I always call and get antibiotics [or my dog gets them ;p] and take them just in case. Augmentin is super cheap anyway.. I think I paid $15 for a bottle or something. | |
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| Bitten by Cat(yup you read it right)
Posted: 7/3/2008 11:05:21 PM | | I was bitten/scratched by a neighbours cat( it was attacking my cat); went to a clinic- got shots. I didn't know that cat scratch fever was real- thought it was just a song! If the cat goes outside at all, its best to get something. | |
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| Bitten by Cat(yup you read it right)
Posted: 7/3/2008 11:24:10 PM | Oh kitty is merely showing you his affection which can turn into an infection if the wound is deep enough!
I'm always being bitten by my little darling especially when he gets into one of his 'moods'. I have never needed anti's for a bite. Are your tetanus shots up to date? Mine are which is probably why I don't get a reaction. | |
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| Bitten by Cat(yup you read it right)
Posted: 7/4/2008 12:31:36 AM | I was working as a housekeeper and the family left for Europe - they were gone for several weeks and I would come over to water the outside plants and feed the cat.
The husband would play with the cat by jumping out at him and I'm sure the cat felt abandoned - so when I came over he would grab my bare leg and give me a bite - I would always scream. He didn't break the skin but it scared me | |
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| Bitten by Cat(yup you read it right)
Posted: 7/4/2008 1:09:24 AM | lol, my first reaction after reading this was...are you being serious?
lol, but i can understand your worrie, as it is not your cat, and i suppose you dont know to much about the animal.
i have 4 cats, and im suprised you say it "bit" you...
what do you mean by that? did it actually break the skin?
my cats have never done that to me...they "play-chew" about on my fingers a bit, thats all....
if it is an indoor cat, i wouldnt worrie, espechially if it is vaccinated.
if it is an outdoor cat...hum
if it was me, id onley seek medical help, if the bite, and surrounding area changes, and looks puffy and infected.
have you put some disinfecting cream on it?
or you could bath it in saltwater.
i have been bitten by dogs twice, (i used to work in kennels),
and them bites healed up well, without any medication.
i suppose it depends how sensitive you are too.
lil bugger, get him a  to get his chops around...lol. | |
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| Bitten by Cat(yup you read it right)
Posted: 7/4/2008 2:24:36 AM | lol cats are funny critters! i have 2 manx and 2 "sylvester" cats....and they do occasionally ambush me.... but they dont usually hurt!!
i did get torn to shreds by a feral cat....didnt realise until too late that he was feral lol
great big black and white puss-very handsome - let me approach- i assumed he was lost- then he let fly with teeth and claws!!!!!! i was just leaving for work at the time so just grabbed a couple of towels and went! blood pouring everywhere - i arrived at work and everyone thought id been in an accident! didnt get any infections- but then im outside a lot and always getting scratches etc so i probably have a pretty good immune system
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| Bitten by Cat(yup you read it right)
Posted: 7/4/2008 6:58:06 AM | Again...
thanks for all the replies! this is why i LOVE the forums here...now gonna start another thread about one of my doggies. i digress.
nuttykitten...yes, it broke the skin, or i would not have been worried about infection.3 yucky, painful puncture wounds. and, i just found out recently that they let this cat out sometimes...and, guess what regularly gets into my bird feeders(i've caught them) RACOONS...rabies kinda scares me.
have a HAPPY and SAFE 4th everyone!
Coco(Gabbi and Zoie)   | |
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| Bitten by Cat(yup you read it right)
Posted: 7/4/2008 8:52:23 AM | Coco,
I was bitten by my feral kitten when he was about six months old. He bit right through my thumb when I was stroking him on the head..he was stimulated and when he finished biting the he!! out of my thumb he just gazed up at me with such love...yeah, well that "love bite" landed me in the dang emergency clinic. lol My thumb went blue, black and swelled up as big as a golf ball!! (no, I didn't punish him of course..he was born to a feral colony and I knew that when I adopted him...(ferals are "wild" by genetics..they are NOT domestic cats in ANY way...if you have what it takes to raise one to adulthood, then I commend you as they present many, many challenges.) The doc gave me some antibiotics for the infection and then after I left..she calmly called animal control. (Thanks doc, you bit*h!) Animal control showed up at my door within a few days wanting to see "Chagall" because he was a feral and had bitten right through my thumb and just may be a "danger" to overall society and might have to be put down. "Put down??" pfft..over my dead body, dude!!! I looked at him for a long moment, invited him in and of course ferals are skittish when in the company of strangers and it takes YEARS for them to trust anyone. Chagall was hiding behind my bed..the animal control officer took one look at his snarling, hissing, lunging forward, lovable self and said to me "Lady, you can have him..there is no way in HE!! I'm touching that cat!!" He wanted me to fax him all the info I had regarding the adoption of Chagall..I never did.... and he never inquired about it again. lol I love to see a man in uniform "askeered" of a cat...haha..just try living with the little wild jaguar like I do on a daily basis.
I still have the scar, Chagall is now going on 11 years old and the antibiotics took care of the infection. When any of my cats bite me and break the skin, I dab the wound with a bit of alcohol and follow it up with antiseptic cow udder balm. The wound heals within a few days.
Sans | |
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| Bitten by Cat(yup you read it right)
Posted: 7/4/2008 9:23:08 AM | | I would watch it very carefully, but maybe get it checked just in case. I had a friend who was bitten by her cat and she had red lines going up her arm. She ended up in the hospital with an IV for two days. It really can be serious. This neighbor owes you big time! lol | |
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| Bitten by Cat(yup you read it right)
Posted: 7/4/2008 10:44:52 AM | Sanschele your story reminded me of my friend (feline) who was ferel. I rescued him from behind a construction fence when he was very small. The workers said he had riden the wheel hub of their work truck for a six hour ride.
After living with me a year or so, he missed supper three days in a row. I knew to find him in kitty jail. I called and described him and yes they had him, but said he was no one's cat... he was ferel. They gave me his prisoner number.
When I went to pick him up - at the human city jail, believe it or not... Flowermound, Texas... all prisoners house together. ... I said, I'm here to release prisoner Cx*$23. The desk guys looked at each other and said, "The Cat!?"
They warned me not to get close to the cage. I put my fingers in and the attendant started yelling at me that the cat would eat me alive! Instead, he came up to me and rubbed his cheek on my fingers. It was hilarious - to me.
I hand carried him to the car, where I gave him a good lecture.
He never got caught again.
So, he never bit the hand that fed him and loved him. But he was the epitome of evil to anyone else. | |
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| Bitten by Cat(yup you read it right)
Posted: 7/4/2008 11:10:29 AM | I hear ya, Ashley..and good for you!! Chagall has been my biggest challenge and I've learned so much in raising a feral cat to adulthood. He is mean, wild and unruly when in the company of strangers but he is so docile and calm with me, but will tear apart a stranger limb by limb if given the chance. Funny..I have feral cats in my neighborhood walking up to me without fear...I'm scared of them, but they're not the least bit afraid of me. lol
Cat bites can be fatal if not looked at by a doctor. Use your own judgement when your cat bites you..my manx and main coon bite me gently on a daily basis out of love...but they never, ever break the skin. Chagall nips me to this day (without breaking the skin now) with that "wild gene" in him and I take it in stride, kiss him on the forehead, and consider myself damn lucky he chose me as his guardian and let me live, because a feral cat will and can kill you at will, if you don't know how to care for them.
I still sleep with the lights on when Chagall is sitting on my chest intently *gulp* staring at me. I gently ask him what he wants and he directs me to what will make him happy and I don't hesitate to comply. lol
Sans | |
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| Bitten by Cat(yup you read it right)
Posted: 7/4/2008 3:13:30 PM | | The need for professional medical attention and or antibiotics usually, like many wounds, depends on the type of bite and what first aid was administered immidiately after the bite. Any deep puncture bite from any animal is more prone to infection, keep a close eye on them for redness, swelling, or feeling pain or heat. And remember when you had your last tetnus shot. since you're a medical professional, i'm sure you did a thorough washing and disenfecting peroxide wash on the bite | |
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| Bitten by Cat(yup you read it right)
Posted: 7/4/2008 3:28:46 PM | Op: As an after thought, don't rely on any "herb" to cure you if an unfamiliar animal bites you as "herbs" are not reliable in combating any serious infection, including animal bites. Seek out a licensed veternarian with the proper credentials in treating any animal bites. Herbs won't help a domestic animal bite if fatal, but antibiotics will.
However, if you have an alligator bite or a jellyfish stings the crap out of you then you're SOL..there is no amount of morphine, nor herbal remedy that will help you heal the wound quickly...you're on your own, so to speak.
Welcome to Florida. Being bitten by a cat is the least of your worries if you live here.
Sans | |
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