Bitten by a baby rat! Do I need to do anything?

[sadpapercourtesan]

My cat brought a baby rat into the house in his teeth, and in trying to free it from him (the git) it bit me. Not an impressive wound, but it did bleed a fair bit at first. I've washed it with Dettol soap and put a plaster on it, but DH is freaking out that I'm going to get rat bite fever or something awful, and thinks I should get it checked out.

Anyone have any advice?

Maybe call 111 or do 111 online and see what they advise... don’t know if rats carry any diseases you might need to have treatment for?

I would say you need a tetanus at the very least! I would be freaking out if this happened to me!

Call 111 you may need a booster tetanus jab.

Is this in the UK? Check your tetanus is up to date. Keep it clean after you've irrigated well under running tap. If it is your hand you may also need preventative oral antibiotics. Out of hours GP can help there.
Observe for any warmth , swelling or redness or you becoming unwell including temp-straight to hospital if that happens.

Weils disease. Get medical advice.

You will need antibiotics to be on the safe side. Go to your local walk in centre or ring 111

Yes. Call 111. Rabies risk ...

Weils is generally more associated with contact of infected urine rather than bite but do seek medical attention if you start to become unwell.

If in UK, rabies is generally only a concern with bat bites.

Aaaargh, I rang 111 and was told I have to go to A&E within the next four hours it seems insane to me, in the middle of a pandemic. And I'll be there all bloody night no doubt. Sodding, frigging, arseholing cat!

It's the right thing to do. You can't take risks with a rat bite.

A&e will be quiet op. Take your self straight there

I don't drive so I'm going to have to pay for taxis to the hospital and back as well, grr. Oh well, worse things happen at sea. Thanks everyone

Hope you got sorted op. What happened to the rat?

My son was bitten by a sheep once - we went to A&E and he was given antibiotics. I think tetanus will be required. Good luck!

Make sure you have your phone charged up or take a charging cable..

There's no such thing as 'rat bite fever' however if you think your nose feels a bit 'twitchy' and you start rubbing your face as if you have whiskers you might want to seek medical advice. Avoid your cat if it starts looking at you in a 'funny sort of way'.

Yes. Call 111. Rabies risk ...

She said rat, not bat.

How are rat bites treated?
If you have a rat bite, wash the area with warm water and soap as soon as possible. Dry the area with a clean towel and apply an antibiotic ointment. Cover with a clean bandage.
Even if the bite seems minor, it’s best to see a doctor as soon as possible. Rat bites are prone to turning into potentially serious infections. You should also get a tetanus shot, especially if it’s been more than five years since your last one (or you don’t remember the date of your last tetanus shot).
In some cases, you might also be prescribed antibiotics to stay ahead of any potential infection
As the bite heals, keep an eye out for any signs of rat-bite fever or infection, such as:
• skin that’s warm to the touch
• redness and welling
• pus
• throbbing pain
• fever and chills
• joint pain
Treating rat-bite fever or infection
If you do develop rat-bite fever or an infection, you’ll need antibiotics. You’ll need to take the antibiotic for 7 to 10 days. For more severe bites, you may need intravenous antibiotics.

Ohhhh yeah definitely you need to be at A&E with a rat bite, OP - well done for calling 111 to check.

Weils Disease/Leptospirosis etc all a risk, plus just wide range of nasty infections.

Imagine it will be a broad spectrum AB, a tetanus booster and maybe another wound wash for you.

Hope you're home at a reasonable hour!

You were all right, thank you!! I felt bloody silly sitting in the waiting room with a tiny little bite with a plaster on it, but when I eventually got seen they took it weirdly seriously. Have had a tetanus shot and 7 days of antibiotics, with instructions to go straight back if it swells up or discolours any more (it's alread streaking down the finger a bit, they didn't like the look of it)

I have glared disapprovingly at the cat. He gave not a fuck. I enclose a gratuitous photograph of him (his name's Puck)

Animal bites ARE very serious. I'm glad you got treated, but if anything changes or gets worse, you need to go back immediately.

Also, tell Puck he's adorable but he's still an arsehole.