Cat bite

[Cloud44]

My lovely cat who is normally very friendly got carried away after a bit too much fuss this morning and bit me on the face. It bled, I cleaned it and have put savlon on it. Do I need to be worried? He’s an indoor cat and up to date with vaccinations. It’s only happened once before and I worried then too because I’ve read online you should go straight to the doctor etc (I didn’t that time). Any advice much appreciated!

Are you up to date with your tetanus, as there is that to consider. I expect if you rang 111 they'd ask you.

Do you think I need to ring 111? I was hoping it would just be ok!

Might need tetnus I'd get it to be safe cats mouths are filthy indoor cat or not

God if I went to a doctor every time my indoor cat drew blood I'd be there about three times a week. I've had cats all my life, both indoor and outdoor, and never been to a doctor when they've bitten or scratched me. I've never suffered any ill effects. Not saying that would be the case for everyone but it seems a bit of an overreaction unless you have some underlying health issue that would make it a much bigger deal. Savlon will be fine.

I've been bitten many times by cats over the course of my life. It's never occurred to me to anything more than wash it tbh.

Thank you all, I think I’m a bit more worried as it’s on my face, if it was on my arm or leg I probably wouldn’t think much of it, probably because it seems more visible but I don’t know if that makes any difference to the actual bite!?

My daughter is a doctor. When our cat bit her hand she went and got herself a tetanus jab. I’d say be on the safe side.

A dog bit my hand (accidentally- I tried to get something out of his mouth that he shouldn't have been eating and he kept chomping away) and drew blood but it was shallow. I went to urgent care to ask about tetanus and they told me it wasn't necessary as it was a 'surface level' bite (it was through my thumbnail and had blood under the nail but not very deep). They did however give me a course of antibiotics to be safe. So not sure! I don't think it matters where you get bit but how big / deep the bite is makes it more likely to get infected.

I wouldn't be worried, you've cleaned it, chances are, it will heal fine, so many people get scratched and bit everyday by cats and don't need a jab, if it starts swelling then seek medical advice.

My dad was bitten by a cat and ended up in A and E for stitches and tetanus injection.

My cat scratched my foot and it came up like a football. Had hefty dose of antibiotics for a week and couldn't wear shoes, only flip flops . It was one of the more unpleasant aspects of cat ownership. 🐈 😁

When my cat really really bit me, I nearly passed out immediately and my hand blew up to twice the size within 20 minutes.

Average cat bite of which there have been hundreds over the years have all been safely ignored.

If it is infected it's obvious very fast.

Have you checked what the nhs website says? I usually find it helpful.

Thank you everyone, will keep an eye on it and call 111 if I notice any changes.

Depends.

My female cats have never given any bother whether bite or scratch.

My tom cat however! lord almighty it’s been up like a football, 3 different v strong antibiotics and minimum 10days recovery.

Every.Single.Time.

Echo PP in that you will know v quickly if it’s fine or a triple tab job.

If you aren’t having to see anyone face to face in the next 24-48hrs I’d be drawing a biro around it and checking for any spread.

Go for a tetanus jab if it isn't up to date. Last 10 years.