cat bite

[hemel07]

My cat has just bitten my 8yr old DD on the arm (unprovoked). She has punctured the skin but its not bleeding. Its come up in a little lump. I've cleaned it with some TCP. It shouldn't need any further attention should it? She's up to date with her tetanus (pre school boosters). Should I just keep an eye on it? We've all had plenty of scratches but never really been bitten.

Keep an eye on it, cats have more bacteria in their mouths that pretty much any other animal (except for humans!). You’ve done the right thing by cleaning it and using a disinfectant but don’t hesitate to see a doctor if you show any signs of infection.

Sorry if DD shows any signs of infection.

I've just checked on NHS website and it says should seek medical advice if the skin is broken. It is, but only the size of a pinprick. I don't want to over react so not sure what to do!

I’ve been bitten before. Given the time and that the GP/walk in centres will be closed probably leaving A&E as the only option to seek medical attention then providing all looked ok and no fever then personally I’d leave it and call the GP for an appointment tomorrow. But as it’s a child I don’t think you can be too cautious. Perhaps call 111 and see what they would recommend?

Thanks. I might do that.

I was bitten by my cat, the area started to swell. I phoned my GO and was advised to go straight in. The area continued to swell in the 30 minutes it took me to get to the surgery. I was given antibiotics and told that cat bites are actually pretty bad in that they puncture quite deep and basically inject germs into the flesh. I don't want to worry you but it is possible to get sepsis from a cat bite. If I was bitten again I would go to the walk in centre.

P.S the GP wasn't worried about tetanus but the infection.

I would. Cats have a huge amount of bacteria in their mouths and even a very small puncture wound can cause an in for the bacteria. Cellulitis is one of the possible outcomes, though I’m sure many people get bitten and never suffer any consequences, but a phone call for advice is a sensible precaution. I’ve had cellulitis from a Rose thorn stuck in my thumb, never would have occurred to me to call the doctor but that time I ended up in hospital a few days later.

Isn't it like 80% of cat bites lead to infection?

A close eye will need to be kept for any signs of infection in your child. fingers crossed she will be fine but don't hesitate to take action if you think she gets unwell.

Interestingly if you ever work in an a&e room the charts advise treating human bites the same as animal bites.

I’ve been bitten by cats on countless occasions over the years and had no lasting damage whatsoever, as have family and friends? Thought it was a pretty common occurrence with playful cats - I’d leave it unless it starts to swell or show sign of infection

I must have had over 100 bites, the last one being just two weeks ago. Only three, plus one scratch injury, have needed antibiotics. The rest just hurt a bit, swell, get a bit hot and then subside, over the course of about 48 hours. Those that needed extra treatment had excessive swelling, with the redness and swelling spreading very noticeably. I also felt a bit unwell.

I'm not saying you should take that as meaning you shouldn't worry, or shouldn't do anything,but I'm just adding more anecdotal experience to take into account.

Oh most of my bites aren't 'playful' bites, they are proper, full on 'I want to kill you' bites. Those that did need further treatment were very deep indeed.

It was the scratch that made me feel the most unwell. But the cat had just run over a pool of I dread to think what, where a body had been decomposing for a week, before scratching me, so it's probably not surprising.

Definitely take to the doctors just in case.

Thanks everyone. Took her to the walk in centre and she has a 5 day course of antibiotics. It looks fine at the moment but very happy to cover her just in case.

How odd - when I was lucky enough to live around cats (as child and adult) I was constantly covered with bites and no one blinked an eyelid. I never got sick. It seems that times have changed.

I have been bitten loads by our two but one bite my hand swelled up immediately! I went to pharmacist who said to go to GP, I had to wait a few hours I ended up with an infection in the joint of my knuckle and on some serious antibiotics! Guess where that cat 🐈 is now!? Yep purring on my lap! OP I'm glad you've been seen.

Guess where that cat 🐈 is now!? Yep purring on my lap

AWWWWWW!!! Butter wouldn't melt eh?