Bitten through nail

[ToothTrauma]

One of my kittens was mucking around earlier nibbling at my fingers. I don’t encourage this and was trying to ignore her when she suddenly bit down really hard. I yelped and snatched my hand away to find she has bitten right through the nail. I am bleeding through the nail if that makes sense?

I washed it but it is so painful. All you can see is a small puncture wound but it is throbbing like billy-o. I’ve googled and scared myself about infection rates with cat bites! Should I see the GP?

yes you should, at the very least make sure you're up to date with tetanus shots

A close friend of mine nearly lost her arm because a stray kitten she had found bit her wrist, she cleaned it, thought no more of it, but it was infectious ...

You may need specialist management of this wound. A nail bed injury can be difficult to heal & can affect how the nail grows for the rest of your life. You will also need a course of prophylactic (preventative) antibiotics

The times I've had a deep bite from cats, I've had a tetanus jab. I think you'd be wise to have it checked, even if you just pop to the chemist for advice. If you have any savlon cream, that'll ease the throbbing pain of it, if you're not allergic.

Thank you all. I have to go to the chemist tomorrow anyway so I will ask the pharmacist for advice and then call the GP if necessary.

How did you get on today?

Thanks Time, the pharmacist thinks I’ve got away with it this time. He said I’m quite lucky! There’s absolutely no swelling and it doesn’t even really hurt anymore. However I’ve to put antibacterial ointment on it for a few days and keep an eye on it and see a dr at the first sign of anything.

Little toerag kitten

That's good to hear. At least it's not hurting.