Help!! Bitten by a cat!!

[CockneyCutie]

On my way home earlier, the little black cat who lives by me, came over to be stroked etc, same as he’s done for months. He was pushing his head into my hand, purring etc - then bloody bit me!!
It is sore, and it bled a bit. Do I need to do anything in particular to the wound? I was thinking, wash it in Dettol water, then rub Germolene into it? It’s been so long since anything bit me, that I can’t remember what to do!!
and, also - why would he bite me when it was him coming to me, pushing at me to stroke him, then turn on me like that? 🤷‍♀️
Thanks in advance for any advice x

You're in the wrong section of Mumsnet but cat bites are very very prone to nasty infections.

Give it a good wash under running water and ring 111. They will be able to assess and decide if you need a tetanus booster and/or antibiotics and where to go to get treated.

I've known cats who get very affectionate and then go into anbiting frenzy. Strange creatures.

Thank you... heaven knows how I ended up here!!🙄
Will take your advice, any idea why he would suddenly bite me? I live with a silly German Shepherd dog, so no idea how cats think!!

Cat bites can, and often do, become infected because cats carry all manner of nasty bugs in their mouths. If the area starts to swell up, go red & feel hot, you will probably need antibiotics. Call 111 or make an appointment with your GP. You may also need a tetanus jab.

You really cannot trust a cat. I would pay very close attention to the bite. The infection rate is quite high.
I'm more scared of cats than snakes

Yes, wash it well and get it medically checked out as soon as possible.

why would he bite me when it was him coming to me, pushing at me to stroke him, then turn on me like that?

Some cats get very easily over-stimulated and will bite suddenly, without warning. There's no malice intended and they won't do you any serious harm in the sense of savaging you - they just suddenly need space and feel the need to make you back off.

I had a cat bite not long ago I had to get a tetanus shot and antibiotics from minor injuries clinic.

My (now) husband still bears a scar on his hand from coming back to my house the very first time and being (in her opinion) over-affectionate to my cat. That was 18 years ago! He had to have antibiotics. The cat is no longer with us but we still miss her. The two we have now thankfully don't seem to have the over-stimulation bite reaction - they just flounce off if they've had enough.

Hi OP

We're just moving your thread out of site stuff for you.

The cat got overstimulated & their body language is so subtle. There was probably a blink & you'll miss it sign like a slight ripple going down its shoulders or it’s pupils dilating.

Penetrating wounds go septic quite quickly so ring out of hours if it starts to get red, hot or sore.

If you have a German Shepherd, the cat could possibly smell that on you, so instinct would have kicked in - don't blame the cat.

Anyway, if it is a puncture wound, if it starts to go red and swell round it you need antibiotics asap. Seriously, an infected cat bite put me in hospital - if it starts to look angry, please seek medical attention.

Cats are weird beings! They're easily overstimulated and can go from play to scratching and biting in seconds.

Keep an eye on it and if it swells or goes red then you need to get it seen to ASAP. I know the advice is to get it seen right away but personally I just keep an eye and keep it clean. I've never needed medical attention for any kind of animal bite (and I work with them so have received a few!).

@cupsofcoffee

Cats are weird beings! They're easily overstimulated and can go from play to scratching and biting in seconds.

Keep an eye on it and if it swells or goes red then you need to get it seen to ASAP. I know the advice is to get it seen right away but personally I just keep an eye and keep it clean. I've never needed medical attention for any kind of animal bite (and I work with them so have received a few!).

I agree with this completely. I've had four different bites this week and they're all healing up fine. I have had to seek treatment three times over the years, but must have had upwards of 200 bites (and I'm normally careful and have systems for dealing with feral cats without being bitten, but shit happens), so it's a small percentage that cause major problems.

They generally swell for around 36 hours and then start to heal. With the bad ones the swelling was intense, and started to move down my hand, and I felt unwell.

However just because I've had hundreds of bites with few problems it doesn't mean that I am saying there is nothing to worry about, and if you are concerned then better safe than sorry.

My cat bites when he gets too over-excited when you're stroking him. To him, it's an "affectionate" bite, but it really hurts and has broken skin more than once!

I wouldn't worry too much unless it shows signs of infection, just keep it clean

When did you last have a tetanus injection ?

@SamMil

My cat bites when he gets too over-excited when you're stroking him. To him, it's an "affectionate" bite, but it really hurts and has broken skin more than once!

I wouldn't worry too much unless it shows signs of infection, just keep it clean

Yes, breaking the skin isn't too bad. The worst tend to be deep puncture wounds from the canine teeth, because they carry the nasties deep inside the flesh. As I know to my cost. Four days in hospital on an antibiotic drip was no fun at all.