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What to do about a domestic cat bite. What to do if bitten by a stray or domestic cat

A cat bite usually causes only minor injuries, but it usually increases the risk of developing an infection. Although animal saliva contains a range of different bacteria, it is more likely that a person will get an infection from a cat bite than from a dog bite.

Because they have small and sharper teeth than their canine counterparts, this can result in very deep puncture wounds that can sometimes reach the bone.

Cat bites usually occur on the upper extremities (arms, hands), but children may be bitten on the face and neck. Depending on the location and depth of the wound, bacteria can spread to surrounding tissues.

This happens especially often in women and in older age groups of patients.

Symptoms

Cat bites are usually considered minor injuries, but can lead to serious infections. General symptoms include pain and swelling around the affected area.

Sometimes direct tissue damage impairs mobility or causes tenosynovitis or arthritis. In these cases, consultation with a surgeon is necessary to assess the severity.

Unusual complications such as deep vein thrombosis, subcutaneous emphysema, fetal tachycardia, and plague occur rarely.

Consequences

Cat bites can be dangerous to both other animals and humans. Cats carry large amounts of bacteria in their mouths that can cause tissue infections. One of the most common is the highly pathogenic bacterium known as Pasteurella multocida, which is commonly found in cats' nasal cavity, oral cavity and tonsils.

An infected cat bite will appear as a red sore that is swollen and painful, and the infection can spread through surrounding tissue, causing a condition called cellulite, or through the blood to other areas of the body, causing sepsis(blood poisoning).

Infected people may suffer from fever and flu-like symptoms sometimes, and may die when proper medical care is not provided. Children, the elderly, the sick, or those with weakened immune systems are especially vulnerable to developing serious infections.

The picture shows an injury on the hand, which later became infected. This man tried to play with the cat with his bare hands. (Do not use your hands to play!)

General characteristics symptoms associated with a cat bite include:

Puncture type wound;
a cut or tear in the skin with bleeding;
Bruises around the site of the incision or puncture wound;
Inflammation around the area of injury;
Pain around the area;
The skin around the injury is hot, a red border appears;
Swelling and pus from the wound.

What to do?

For minor wounds and shallow scratches, wash the affected area under running water and soap. Apply antibiotic ointment or rinse with Betadine solution or any germicidal solution to prevent infection and apply a clean bandage. Observe the wound for any signs of infection.

Take it seriously

Never make the mistake of ignoring a wound. A cat bite can lead to infections, even death.

Clean the wound, bandage it to prevent the number of bacteria from increasing, and consult a doctor. These injuries are common, take care of your health.

Prevention

Teach children not to tease pets;
Be careful around unfamiliar cats;
Approach an animal carefully, even if it seems friendly;
Avoid rough play with kittens.

Rough play is perceived as aggressive. This will cause the cat to become defensive when people approach. Preventing cat bites means not provoking it. Handle your pet carefully, trying not to cause fear or aggression. A cat may bite its owner or someone nearby to protect itself.

Many people would not consider a cat bite to be potentially dangerous. This is a misconception, since even after a mild bite (if, for example, a kitten bit), the matter can end seriously (suppuration, allergies and even rabies).

There is even a so-called cat scratch disease (it is not in ICD-10), in which inflammation occurs lymph nodes according to the type of acute infectious cellulitis. Suppuration in such a disease can lead to the need to remove part of the soft tissue or even a limb.

In this article we will talk in detail about the dangers of a cat bite and what to do after it (first aid). We will also tell you where to go if the first signs of serious complications from the bite appear.

In itself, a cat bite poses a threat to human health only in the rarest situations (for example, when a large artery ruptures). Things are quite different with far-reaching consequences, since Many infectious pathologies are transmitted through a bite.

A bite from a cat (both outdoor and indoor) can cause large swelling and suppuration. This disease is called “cat scratch disease,” when even with a small wound, quite serious complications develop.

A stray cat easily transmits rabies, which cannot be treated even if the wound was adequately treated immediately after the bite. Fortunately, a rabid cat has specific signs: excessive salivation, an unusual gait, photophobia and rigidity of the jaw muscles (the cat's lower jaw constantly hangs down).

Also, both indoor and street cats can transmit clostridial infections to humans. These include:

wound botulism;
tetanus;
gas gangrene (only with a deep bite, when air does not enter the lower part of the wound and anaerobic conditions are created).

Despite the fact that these diseases can be treated in the early stages (with a probability of 40-70%), they are still very dangerous, since even after successful treatment they leave a person disabled.

Allergies from bites are also common. It is usually caused by bacterial flora on the animal's teeth, which, when bitten, enters the human body. In this case, allergies can be of varying intensity: both a banal allergy in the form of urticaria, and fatal anaphylactic shock (in rare cases).

Special danger: street cat bites

The danger of being bitten by street cats is that they are 100% guaranteed to have an accumulation of pathogenic microorganisms on fangs, which, when bitten, penetrate the human body. But not only this poses a threat to the health of the bitten person.

The fact is that street animals are not well-groomed, and the oral cavity of the average street cat is simply teeming with various kinds of toxins. Including we're talking about and about cadaveric poison (ptomaina).

Stray cats have small particles of protein compounds left on their teeth, which gradually decompose and release amines (microbial decomposition substances). In the external environment, amines are safe, but if they enter an open wound, and therefore further into the bloodstream, they pose a threat of sepsis (blood poisoning).

Is it possible to get infected, and what diseases?

Of course, when bitten by both stray and domestic cats, there is a very high risk of contracting one or more infectious diseases. But which ones?

Even an objectively healthy and strong man weak against those infectious microorganisms that cats transmit with a bite.

But still, people with a higher chance of contracting an infection from a bite have the following diseases and habits:

in smokers;
in alcoholics;
in the presence of circulatory pathologies;
in diabetics;
in people over 50 years of age;
in people with HIV or AIDS;
in people taking steroid drugs for a long time;
in people with a history of organ transplantation;
in people with an absent spleen;
in people undergoing chemotherapy.

Moreover, people with the listed problems are not only more susceptible to infectious invasion. In them, the developed disease manifests itself much stronger and longer than in healthy people.

First aid for a cat bite

If you are bitten by a cat, in all cases you should expect an infection, and act based on this result.

It may appear as a slight swollen wound (local infectious process and inflammation that goes away on their own), as well as serious suppuration. In the vast majority of cases, the wound can only swell and inflammation appears, which, as we have already said, will go away on its own.

But in some cases (20-25%) more serious problems, often requiring even surgery. It is quite obvious that it is better to prevent them than to treat them later.

Procedure If you are bitten by a domestic cat or, more dangerously, an outdoor cat, this is the following:

The wound should be cleaned with plain warm water using regular or, much better, antimicrobial soap.
Next, the wound should be treated with hydrogen peroxide (you should not spare it and, spreading the edges of the wound, pour it inside), after which you should thoroughly rub the surface of the wound with salicylic alcohol using a cotton swab.
A gauze turunda with an antibiotic ointment is applied to the wound, which should be pressed tightly with a bandage and not wet for 24 hours.
If after 24 hours the treated area begins to swell, fester (the patch will be saturated with gray-green mucus) or inflammation intensifies, you should immediately contact a trauma center.

First aid for a bite on the street

If you don’t have a first aid kit on hand, and this is exactly what usually happens in outdoor conditions, it is still possible to adequately treat the wound surface and prevent the growth of bacteria. And first aid in such cases is quite simple.

Immediately after a bite, you need to treat the damaged skin surface, and if you don’t have medicine on hand, then rinse the wound thoroughly with plain water. If you don’t have that, then wet wipes will do.

After this, you need to press on the edges of the wound so that at least a few drops of blood come out. Usually, with one or two drops of blood, a sufficient amount of infectious material is evacuated, although with deep wounds, more thorough disinfection with the use of drugs (antibiotics, antiseptics, etc.) is required.

After squeezing out the blood, the wound should be treated again with water or napkins and preferably covered with something. If you don’t have a patch on hand, you can leave the wound open, preventing dirt and dust from getting into it.

First aid for a cat bite (video)

Which doctor should I contact?

For mild bites that have not caused any worsening of the situation within 1-2 days, there is no need to go anywhere. The exception is those cases when there is a suspicion that the cat that bit you has rabies. In such cases, urgent vaccination is necessary.

You should urgently consult a doctor when there is a swollen wound, fever and other signs of progression of the infectious process (purulent discharge, nausea, bursting pain in the wound).

It is usually recommended to visit a traumatologist, but a local internist and an infectious disease specialist are also suitable. If a severe inflammatory or allergic process develops, you should immediately call ambulance! Self-prescribing antibiotics is life-threatening.

In what cases is it necessary to consult a doctor?

Doctor's help with the consequences of a cat bite is needed in cases where there are following visible symptoms:

The presence of abundant purulent masses from the wound.
Fever.
Cramps in the affected limb.
Indomitable and unrelieved vomiting.
Dizziness, loss of consciousness.
Bursting and stabbing pains.
Allergic reactions to a bite (even the most banal ones, such as hives or local swelling).
Tremor (shaking) of the affected limb.
Visible inflammation of the saphenous veins around the bite site.
Excessive blood loss.
Suspicion of a bite by a rabid animal.
Deep wound (especially in the absence of a tetanus vaccination!).

Why does a cat bite?

Both indoor and outdoor cats can bite for no apparent reason at first glance. But, despite the fact that the reasons may not be clear, they are always there.

So, for example, an animal bites when you try to take food from it or even hint at it (extend your hand towards the food). Moreover, a cat often rushes to bite even when a person simply passes near it during a meal. Animals perceive this as an attempt to “guess the time” to steal food.

The animal also bites when a person strokes its children. The reason here is completely prosaic: the cat is trying to protect its offspring.

Cats can also bite when playing, but usually it doesn’t hurt. Serious bites during games occur only in cases where games are forced on them against their wishes. Children often do this by pulling the animal's paws or throwing toys at it.

With rabies, a cat bites regardless of its mood or prerequisites. Because of defeat nervous system she develops unmotivated aggression, which is why animals with rabies attack even those people who pass far from them.

Prevention of bites

It would seem that there is no answer to the question of what to do to avoid cat bites in the future. Fortunately, this is not the case. There are a number of simple rules to protect yourself from such situations, namely:

Do not touch street cats (especially those living in sewers and basements);
Excessive petting of domestic cats should not be allowed, as this greatly irritates them;
it is necessary to properly raise your own kitten from its early years, in every possible way weaning it from natural aggressiveness and hostility;
your pet should purchase a special toy that is specifically designed for biting and tearing;
never try (even as a joke) to snatch food from cats, including domestic ones;
Never disturb cats sleeping or napping.

Most people, when they see a fluffy and cute animal, immediately reach out to stroke it or scratch it behind the ear. Few people think that such a charming creature could be aggressive. But cats are predators by nature, and their claws and teeth are quite dangerous: even a small cat bite can cause many health problems.

There are many known cases when even affectionate domestic animals bit their owners simply playfully, or for other reasons. Often, bite sites take a very long time to heal and are painful, because sharp teeth can penetrate deep into the tissue, and superficial treatment of the wound does not allow adequate disinfection of the damage. The result is prolonged inflammatory processes, suppuration, etc.

What do you need to know about cat bites, and what should you be prepared for when interacting with animals?

Why is a cat bite dangerous?

Indeed, most animal lovers underestimate their danger. When it comes to cats, their bites can be much more serious than other skin injuries.

Cat teeth are particularly sharp: the pet needs this to tear coarse meat fibers and ensure normal digestive process. As a result, damage to the skin during a cat bite turns out to be insignificant in appearance, but quite deep (penetrating).

And that’s not all the danger: there are many pathogenic microorganisms on the cat’s mucous membranes, tooth enamel and salivary fluid. During a bite, these microbes enter deep tissues, and an anaerobic infection actively develops, often with severe complications.

Microbes dangerous to humans are found in nine out of ten cats. The most often sown bacterium causes pasteurellosis, an infectious disease that is complicated by general blood poisoning. Pasteurella - and this is the name of this bacterium - is capable of “cooperating” with streptococci and staphylococci, which further aggravates the unpleasant situation.

When a cat bites, not only is it damaged soft fabrics, but also tendons, nerves, joints, blood vessels. When entering the general bloodstream, pathogenic microbes spread and settle in other organs, and even in the heart valves.

Of particular danger are cats suffering from rabies, as well as carriers of tetanus infection. Unfortunately, it is not always possible to recognize such animals.

Doctors warn: if you are bitten by a cat, you should immediately visit the emergency room, where they will not only provide first aid, but also prevent possible complications.

Pathogenesis

In most cases of infected cat bites, anaerobic and aerobic bacteria are detected in the laboratory: on the skin of the victim and on the teeth of the bitten pet.

The most commonly isolated microorganisms are:

Pasteurella multocida;
streptococci;
staphylococci;
Neicheria;
corynebacteria;
bacteroides;

Pasteurella multocida is found in 50% of cases. This bacterium is sensitive to antibiotics penicillin series, as well as the combination of Amoxicillin + Clavulanic acid, Doxycycline and representatives of the fluoroquinolone group (for example, Ciprofloxacin).

A mixed bacterial flora is often present, but the first drugs of choice are usually penicillin drugs.

Symptoms of a cat bite

Severe development of infection after a cat bite occurs in approximately every fifth victim. The infection develops in different ways, depending on the dominant pathogenic microorganism. Systemic damage with bacteremia and other serious consequences is possible.

A deep cat bite can provoke the development of deep abscesses spreading through the fascial layers.

The first signs of infection may appear as early as the second day: severe swelling and redness in the area of the cat bite, discharge of sanguineous fluid or pus from the wounds, increased body temperature, and enlargement of nearby lymph nodes.

A domestic cat bite, if it is not deep, may heal on its own without causing any unpleasant symptoms. But even here there is no guarantee that an infection will not develop: the cat does not brush its teeth, eats raw food, so bacteria in its oral cavity there are quite a lot of them. You should definitely consult a doctor if you have the following symptoms:

temperature increase over 37°C;
the appearance of swelling at the bite site;
bleeding from wounds, discharge of other pathological fluids;
violation of movements in the joint;
changes in general health (nausea, vomiting, muscle pain etc.).

You should visit a doctor as soon as possible if the health of the bitten pet (even a domestic one) is in doubt.

A bite from a rabid street cat is a particularly dangerous circumstance that can even lead to the death of the victim. Therefore, in the event of an attack by any domestic or simply unfamiliar animal, contacting a doctor should be an emergency: every minute counts here.

The incubation period for rabies can be quite long, and a person for a long time may not even realize that he has a deadly virus. The disease itself has three symptomatic stages that you need to know about:

Premonitory stage:
- redness of the scars at the site of the cat bite;
- formation of swelling, itching or burning;
- the appearance of phobias, anxiety, apathy;
- headaches, depressed mood, development of depressive states;
- sleep disturbances, unpleasant dreams, insomnia;
- slight increase in temperature.
Hyperarousal stage:
- the appearance of attacks of increased excitement, aggression, rage;
- fear of water, sounds, light stimuli;
- more frequent attacks of anxiety, convulsions, laryngeal spasm, breathing problems;
- development of mental disorders;

the appearance of profuse, painful flow of saliva (against the background of hypersecretion, dehydration of the body, metabolic disorders, and loss of body weight occur).

Stage of paralysis:
- mental calmness;
- cessation of paroxysmal hyperexcitation up to complete immobilization;
- continued hypersecretion of the salivary glands;
- paralysis of cardiac and respiratory activity, death.

If a patient is bitten by a rabid cat and has not been vaccinated against rabies, then he is doomed: the disease cannot be treated and ends in death.

What can you get infected from a cat bite?

Why is a cat bite so dangerous? Let's try to highlight just a few of the main diseases that can be transmitted to humans from an apparently harmless animal:

After a cat bite, you must carefully monitor your condition: even if there is a minimal threat of developing an infectious process, you should immediately seek help. medical care.

Complications and consequences

In many cases, a cat bite poses a serious threat to human health. Most often, pets “target” upper limbs– as a result, areas with joints and tendons close to the surface of the skin suffer. Penetration of bacteria into tissue significantly complicates the healing process and causes the development of an inflammatory reaction. Moreover, the victim may become unable to work, as pain and infectious inflammation After a cat bite, they are not allowed to freely use the injured limb.

The most unfavorable is the development of chronic infectious pathology, in which destruction of joints, cartilage, and bones can even occur.

Wounds from cat bites can be complicated by diseases such as osteomyelitis, endocarditis, meningitis, or even sepsis - a general bacterial infection of the body.

Fortunately, complications do not always develop. However, how long a cat bite takes to heal largely depends on the literacy of the initial treatment of wounds. In some cases, patients wash the bitten area in a timely manner and even consult a doctor, but in the future the infectious process still develops. Infection from a cat bite can occur due to the fault of the microbe Pasteurella multocida, which lives in the cat’s mouth. The incubation period of such an infection can range from four hours to one day. And this time is enough for the bacteria to spread beyond the bitten area.

If the problem makes itself felt, and after a while the cat bite festers, then powerful antibiotic therapy is mandatory. If this is not done, then there is a threat not only to the patient’s health, but also to his life. Therefore, most victims are recommended to start taking antibiotics even before the first signs of an infectious disease appear - so to speak, for preventive purposes.

When the victim notes that his cat bite is swollen, this already means that a local metabolic disorder begins in this area and the inflammatory process starts. In such a situation, you should act immediately: consult a doctor, clean and treat the wound, and begin antibacterial and anti-inflammatory treatment.

The same needs to be done if a cat bite simply hurts: damage to soft tissues, tendons, and periosteum is always accompanied by pain. Find out the cause of this pain, prevent the development of inflammation - all this can and should be done by the doctor after the patient seeks medical help. If inflammation has already begun, then the pain may no longer be aching, but twitching and throbbing. These symptoms are very serious and cannot be ignored.

With the onset of the inflammatory reaction, the temperature after a cat bite can remain in the range of 37-37.5°C. With extensive pathological processes and septic complications, indicators can reach 39°C or more. Unfortunately, often the fact of a bite itself is not taken as seriously as it should be. Therefore, patients tend to consult a doctor not immediately after the incident, but only with the onset acute symptoms diseases.

It is necessary to understand that even small bump after a cat bite, it may present as a delayed painful reaction, and eventually turn out to be an abscess or other pathological formation. So isn’t it better to consult a doctor and protect yourself from negative consequences?

If there are no symptoms of inflammation, but there is numbness at the site of the cat bite, then this may mean damage to the nerve fibers, which also requires a prescription drug treatment in combination with physiotherapy. Remember: in order not to worsen the situation, you need to carefully consider any symptoms (even if they are minor at first glance) and visit a doctor in a timely manner.

Diagnosis of a cat bite

Diagnosis is made based on a combination of clinical and laboratory data.

First of all, it is important to interview the victim and examine the area of the cat bite. The doctor must pay attention to the following circumstances:

under what conditions a cat attacked a person;
what time of day this happened;
is the attacking animal familiar?
whether the attack was provoked;
what happened next to the animal, where it is currently located;
Is the patient prone to allergic reactions;
what first aid the victim received, what medications he is currently taking;
whether there are any current diseases;
whether the patient is vaccinated against tetanus and rabies.

After a thorough questioning, the doctor examines the wound, treats it if necessary, and writes out a referral for tests.

Laboratory tests can be of a virological, biological, or serological nature. A general blood and urine test is performed as standard. The following methods can be used as specific diagnostics:

radioimmune method;
enzyme immunoassay (ELISA);
enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA);
pathogen identification using monoclonal antibodies;

Treatment for a cat bite

Immediately after the cat has bitten, you need to wash the damaged area well in water and soap (it is optimal to use regular brown laundry soap). Next, you should treat the skin with any antiseptic - Chlorhexidine, hydrogen peroxide and even regular vodka will do. It is not recommended to use ointment preparations or apply an adhesive plaster to the wound, since the access of oxygen to the tissues is blocked. If the bite is large in area, a gauze bandage may be applied.

These are all activities that you can do at home. After this, you should contact a specialist - for example, the doctor on duty at the emergency room. Since bacterial processes can develop rapidly, seeking medical help should follow as early as possible.

Read this article about what to do if a cat bites you.

Prevention

Preventive measures are very important for preventing bites from cats or other animals. Be sure to listen to the recommendations given by experts. This will help avoid many health problems in the future.

Don't touch outdoor cats: you can't predict their reaction, even if the animal looks more than affectionate.
Not all pets respond adequately to stroking and scratching. If possible, it is better to ask the cat owner about possible aggression on the part of the animal.
If you have acquired a small kitten, try from the very beginning to wean him from even lightly biting your hands and fingers. With age, such “pranks” can develop into painful bites.
If your domestic cat likes to bite, then buy her special dental trainers - these are special toys that are sold in any pet store. In this way, it is often possible to satisfy the “gnawing” need of the pet, and your hands will remain unharmed.
Veterinarians advise systematically examining pets in an appropriate clinic to exclude possible problems with health. It is known that a cat that is bothered by something becomes more irritated and can bite even a loving owner.
Never force your pet to do anything that he does not accept or like. For example, many cats do not like to be picked up, their tail touched, their belly rubbed, or their fur rubbed against them.
From an early age, children need to be taught how to behave with living beings. It is necessary to make it clear that the pet also feels pain, that you cannot drag it by its whiskers or tail, pull out its fur, etc.
You should be especially careful with a cat that has kittens: in this situation, instinct may simply kick in, followed by a bite.

If the bite has already occurred, then action should be taken immediately to prevent the development of serious complications. If the cat bite vaccination is done late, its effectiveness drops to almost zero.

Vaccine prevention consists of the unknown “forty injections in the stomach”: such measures have not been used in medicine for a long time. As a rule, the victim is injected with anti-rabies serum, the wound is treated and sent home. After some time, the vaccine will have to be administered again: the doctor will give recommendations regarding the further vaccination regimen. In most cases, prevention is limited to five injections. The patient is also warned that from the moment of administration of the serum it is prohibited to drink any alcoholic beverages. The exclusion of alcohol is valid throughout the entire period of prevention and for six months after the last administration of the drug.

Other possible complication– tetanus – can also be fatal, but only in 10% of cases. This disease has a short incubation period, so deterioration can occur within the first few days. To avoid unpleasant consequences, you need to visit a doctor as soon as possible.

The worst prognosis is for a cat bite in infants and the elderly.

Each cat, like a person, has its own character. Even a seemingly sweet, playful cat can suddenly release its claws and scratch or bite you. What to do if you or your child are bitten by a cat? What is the correct algorithm of action and what needs to be done to prevent an animal bite?

Why is a cat bite dangerous?

Many people are unaware of the consequences of bites from domestic or street cats.

A cat bite can lead to such disastrous results as:

Skin infection.
Rabies. In this case, there is only one treatment - vaccination with a special serum (6 vaccinations according to the scheme over 3 months). Otherwise the person may die.
Tetanus.
Cellulitis - occurs with severe infection.
Tissue necrosis, gangrene, limb amputation (if the cat bit the arm or leg).

Do you think that a cat bite is more harmless than a dog bite? Not at all. It may be less traumatic, but in terms of danger, the opposite is true. After a dog bite, the wound heals easier. The fact is that a cat’s mouth contains many specific microorganisms, bacteria that cause an inflammatory process in the wound. The sharp teeth of a cat penetrate deep into the skin, introducing a huge amount of bacteria. That is why you need to treat the wound immediately. It doesn’t matter whether the bite was from a domestic cat or a stray.

You can refuse medical help only if the cat is domestic and vaccinated, and the bite was mild.

What to do after a bite

If the damage is minor, then you can deal with it yourself:

Wash the wound with plenty of soapy water. Keep the affected area under water for at least 5 minutes. This is necessary so that saliva that gets under the skin is washed away along with bacteria, possible causative agents of dangerous diseases such as rabies or tetanus.
Treat the wound with a solution of hydrogen peroxide or vodka. You can lubricate it with antibacterial ointment to prevent suppuration.

The rabies virus is afraid of alkali. Therefore, if you are bitten by a cat, immediately treat the wound with laundry or toilet soap.

If the wound is swollen and very painful, then you need to:

Do alcohol compress: dilute medical alcohol with water in equal proportions. Dip a cotton swab in the solution and apply to the swollen area. Wrap the wound with a bandage and leave the compress for 30 minutes.
Lubricate the swollen area with iodine solution.
If redness or inflammation appears, you need to take antibiotics. Otherwise, the inflammatory process will spread to other tissues.

If the cat has bitten deep into the skin, apply serious injury, then you need:

Complete the previous steps. Then be sure to apply a leak-proof bandage: apply a piece of sterile bandage to the bite site, bandage it so that the bandage does not come off.
Go to the emergency room.

Treatment after a bite

If you have been bitten by a cat, your hand is swollen and red, and there is bleeding that cannot be stopped, then you should definitely consult a surgeon.

The specialist must:

Determine how deep the wound is, find out whether the victim needs antibacterial therapy. And if so, prescribe a course of antibiotics.
If necessary, prescribe a course of rabies vaccinations (rabies injections).
Administer a prophylactic dose of tetanus vaccine. It is introduced only if the person has not been vaccinated against this disease within the next 5 years.
Suture bleeding vessels to stop bleeding (in severe cases).

Today, if rabies is suspected, doctors no longer give patients 40 injections in the stomach. The injection is carried out either at the bite site itself or in the shoulder.

When you can’t delay going to the doctor

You can avoid seeking medical help from a doctor if you have been bitten by a cat only if the person’s wound is not red, swollen, begins to fester, or hurts. Then it is enough to wash the affected area with any antiseptic, for example, Chlorhexidine. But there are situations when a cat bite requires a doctor’s examination:

if the cat bite occurred in the area of the face or neck;
if swelling, redness, or suppuration appears at the site of the bite;
if a person cannot stop bleeding;
if the bitten child or adult begins to feel unwell: he has a fever, nausea;
if the cat has bitten in several places;
if we are talking about a street cat (or an indoor cat, if the owners let him out for a walk);
if a cat has bitten a child, a pregnant woman or an elderly person.

In such cases, you should consult a doctor immediately - no later than 12 hours after the incident.

Treatment with folk remedies

Old time-tested traditional medicine recipes can prevent the unwanted consequences of a cat bite:

1. Onion compress

This is a very popular recipe with which our grandmothers and mothers helped us get rid of the sting when a wasp bit us. Onion acts as a local anesthetic. It helps remove swelling around the wound, relieves inflammation, promotes fast healing cat bite sites.

Chop one onion (pass through a meat grinder or grate), mix with 1 tsp. vinegar and the same amount of honey. Apply the medicinal mixture to a cotton swab or piece of gauze and apply it to the affected area.

You can go the other way: cut the onion in half and apply it to the wound.

2. Bath with chamomile or calendula

Pour 2 tbsp. l. raw materials with boiling water (0.5 l), let it brew for 15 minutes. Pour the broth into a small bowl. Immerse your feet in it for 10 minutes. This bath will help relieve swelling around the wound.

Any problem, including a cat bite, is easier to prevent than to treat the consequences. To do this, you need to follow these recommendations:

Do not approach the cat if it is unfamiliar to you. It’s better to admire someone else’s Murchik from a distance.
Take special care with cats that sleep, eat, and care for kittens.
Do not stroke the animal against the grain. This causes him pain and discomfort, so he can even bite his owner.
For your pet tailed friend, you need to get a special toy with which he can do whatever he wants: scratch, bite.
Do not force your affection on the cat. If she wants to come to you and lie on your lap, then fine, but you don’t need to force him to sit down.
Do not pet or come close to a sick cat. If the animal is not feeling well, it may behave differently than usual and may even bite.
Do not tease or mock the cat.
Raise a cat correctly: wean it from displaying aggression, prohibit it from letting out its claws, biting, and punish it for such behavior.
Have your animal examined by a veterinarian in a timely manner.

Possibility of contracting rabies

It all depends on what animal bit. If this is a domestic Murka, who has never gone outside, is vaccinated against rabies every year, but shows her character by biting her owner, then you don’t have to think about rabies.

It’s a different matter if you’re bitten by a stray animal. You definitely need to sound the alarm if a street cat attacks without reason, bites and scratches. This behavior of the tailed animal is clearly not healthy and may be a sign of rabies.

Typically, after an attack by a stray cat, the victim goes to the emergency room to receive first aid. He forgets about the animal that caused him trouble. But in vain, because at the appointment the doctor will definitely ask about what kind of cat it is, whether the patient knows it (perhaps the animal lives in the yard). Many people may feel that such questions are inappropriate. In fact, the doctor asks them for a reason. The fact is that a cat living in the yard is easy to find, catch, and take to veterinary clinic. There, a specialist must examine her, find out the cause of the bite, and rule out a disease such as rabies. If the diagnosis is not confirmed, then there is no point in giving injections for this disease. If the cat turns out to be sick, then the veterinarian must euthanize it, and the victim must urgently be prescribed a course of rabies vaccinations.

No person is safe from a cat bite, even those who do not have a four-legged friend in the house. Stray animals can just as easily bite a person passing by. And their bite will be much more dangerous, because it can be deadly dangerous disease like madness. The action plan for a cat bite is simple: treat the wound, apply a bandage if necessary, and go to the emergency room.

When interacting with a furry pet, adults and children are often exposed to injuries in the form of scratches and even bites. Such troubles happen when playing with small kittens or performing any manipulations with adult animals (washing, haircut, trimming claws). Stray cats, as well as aggressive domestic pets, attack and bite.

Often the owner can observe a reaction: a cat bites - the hand swells. Despite the fact that cats cannot cause serious injury to humans, a phenomenon such as swelling indicates inflammatory process and should not be ignored.

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What is the danger of bites

Although cats are predators by nature, the size of their claws and teeth is not so large as to pose a serious threat to human life. However, cat bites can cause significant harm to health. The danger in this case lies in
the following reasons and factors:

The naturally sharp teeth of a seemingly small animal contribute to serious damage to soft tissues.

Epithelial ruptures lead to pain, decreased mobility of the joint if it is in the articular area. Deep and closed wounds are an excellent environment for the development of inflammation and suppuration.

Presence in the mouth of an animal huge amount bacteria and viruses. Even a pet cannot boast of the absence of microorganisms in the oral cavity. When bitten, the bacilli enter deep into the skin tissue and cause an inflammatory reaction in the form of swelling or swelling in the damaged area. If the cat has bitten severely and the hand is swollen, then this phenomenon indicates infection of the deep tissues by microorganisms.

Some animals are carriers of the causative agent of benign lymphoreticulosis (cat scratch disease). In this disease, chlamydia, which is a pathogenic microorganism, penetrates human tissue not only through scratches, but also through bites. In the first stages of the disease, the site of injury may be swollen and red, and then a generalized infection develops, affecting lymphatic system body.

Cat scratch disease

In addition to pathogenic chlamydia, cats are often carriers of the causative agent of pasteurellosis. In this case, an animal bite can lead to septic symptoms due to streptococcal or staphylococcal infection.

If you are bitten by a stray cat or an animal with access to the street, there is a risk of contracting tetanus. Cat bites are deep and the wound surface heals quickly. This promotes development anaerobic conditions for the causative agent of tetanus.

The danger of stray and street animal bites is caused not only by the development of an inflammatory reaction from soft tissues, but also risk of contracting rabies. The virus of a fatal disease is transmitted through the saliva of a sick animal, most often through bites.

Weak immunity, the presence of concomitant diseases, lack of treatment can lead to sepsis.

Despite the small size of a cat, you should not be dismissive of pet bites, especially if the injury was caused by a stray animal or after a domestic cat has bitten you and your hand has become swollen.

To learn about what cat scratch disease is, watch this video:

First aid and treatment

If an owner or family member is the victim of an attack or mistreatment of a member of the feline family, a number of measures must be taken:

First of all, you should thoroughly wash the bitten area with warm water and antibacterial soap. The main part of pathogenic microorganisms will be washed away with this simple and affordable method of cleaning the wound surface. Laundry soap containing a high amount of alkali is also suitable.

For antiseptic treatment, a 3% solution of hydrogen peroxide, which does not cause burns or swelling, is best suited. Other antiseptics include a solution of furatsilin and chlorhexidine.

A gauze bandage should be applied to the bitten area.

In the case where a cat has bitten your hand and your hand is swollen and red, you should not self-medicate and let the process take its course. You need to see a doctor. You may need a course of anti-inflammatory and antibacterial agents.

If there is bleeding, apply a bandage and contact medical institution.

Proper first aid for cat bites will help reduce negative consequences wounds of the skin, will prevent the development of an inflammatory reaction.

When to see a doctor

Most domestic cat bites do not result in dangerous consequences. However, the owner should know when qualified medical assistance is needed:

With heavy bleeding, damage to the veins in the wrist. Despite the small size of their teeth, cats can still cause damage to nearby arteries in the arm. If bleeding does not stop when applying a hemostatic bandage, you should immediately contact a medical facility.

If a domestic cat has bitten your hand and your hand is swollen, what should you do in this case? Even if bitten by an animal that does not have access to the outdoors, if swelling and redness develop, you should seek medical help. The doctor will rule it out infectious diseases, if necessary, prescribe a tetanus preventive vaccination.

If more than 5 years have passed since the last vaccination of the victim against tetanus, antitetanus prophylaxis is also carried out.

The bite was on the face and joints. Impaired joint mobility and facial expressions should be a reason to urgently consult a doctor.

If a cat bites you and your hand swells, what should the victim do? A deterioration in general well-being or an increase in body temperature a few days after a cat bite should be a reason to immediately contact a doctor.

If there is contact with a stray or street animal, after treating the bitten area, you must immediately contact a medical facility. If rabies is suspected, the animal is isolated and monitored for 10 to 14 days.

If this is not possible, and the disease situation in the region is unfavorable, then a decision may be made to introduce anti-rabies serum. The drug is administered according to a specific schedule. On average, 2 to 6 injections are used. However, you should know that anti-rabies serum must be administered no later than the 14th day after the bite.

To learn what to do and why animal bites are dangerous, watch this video:

What not to do if you are bitten

The consequences of cat bites can be minimized if you understand what not to do. to do in case of injury:

It is better not to use such a common antiseptic as iodine, as it often causes burns and can cause swelling of damaged tissues.

You should not use any ointments, even anti-inflammatory ones, without a doctor’s recommendation.

Self-administer anti-inflammatory and antibacterial agents with swelling and redness at the site of the bite.

Do not apply a tourniquet if there is capillary bleeding.

Precautions when interacting with animals

Safe communication with animals and prevention of cat bites are possible
subject to the following rules:

A pet should be raised, preventing all manifestations of aggression towards household members, house guests, and other animals.

For this purpose, it is necessary to use a system of punishments and rewards. Elements of training should exclude scratches and bites, even minor ones.

Regular examination by a veterinarian and necessary routine vaccinations reduce the risk of infectious diseases in the animal.

Most often, small kittens scratch and bite, mistaking such actions for elements of play. Kids should buy a soft toy that will redirect their attention in a safe direction. An interesting toy wouldn’t hurt an adult playful pet either.

Some individuals do not like increased attention from humans. Not all cats appreciate stroking and affection. If your pet shows anxiety, you should leave it alone.

Do not contact homeless or street animals.

The owner of a domestic cat should be attentive to the bite of his pet and not let this phenomenon take its course. In case of swelling, redness, or a general reaction of the body, you must seek qualified medical help. An immediate visit to the doctor should be made if a person is bitten by a stray cat. We should not forget about such dangers as tetanus and rabies.