Cat Bite First Aid

University of maryland medical center.

Cat bite first aid.

Any bite should be cleaned immediately and assessed by a physician as soon as possible as antibiotics are frequently needed to treat infection. If a cat scratches or bites you you need to act quickly to prevent. As much as humans interact with felines cats it s no wonder that cat bites are common injuries especially in children. Cat and dog bites.

Surprisingly out of all bites cat bites are some of the most dangerous. Part 2 of 4. They are more likely to get infected and require medical attention. Cats use their mouths and claws to communicate and this behavior is absolutely normal but it is still an unpleasant.

If the bite was caused by a cat or a dog try to confirm that the animal s rabies vaccination is up to date. Written by steve corelli. If the bite was caused by a wild animal seek advice from your doctor about which animals are most likely to carry rabies. If you see signs of infection from a cat bite contact your doctor immediately as this is an emergency situation.

All bite injuries have the potential to be dangerous. Because cat bites usually cover a small area you will probably be able to cover it with an over the counter adhesive band aid. Any bee sting or insect bite has the potential to cause problems ranging from a minor local reaction pain swelling or itching to a more serious one hives facial swelling vomiting trouble breathing and in rare cases collapse. The following are common feline emergencies and instructions for first aid.

Dry the bite first to help the band aid stick. Cover all areas where the skin was broken with a clean band aid. Every cat owner has found him or herself on the business end of a cat s claws at least once. What you should do for a cat bite or scratch.

Cat bites are puncture wounds that can cause bacterial infections with pasteurella multocida that can spread within the tissues or into the blood stream. Signs of infection include swelling redness oozing puss and fever. First aid and precautionary measures. Your doctor may recommend vaccination with tetanus or rabies prophylaxis.

How to treat a cat bite. Infections can lead to cellulitis an infection of the skin and underlying tissues or enter the bloodstream causing septicemia or blood poisoning. Symptoms and first aid reviewed by the clinical committee. They can coil around you alluringly but they also can scratch and bite.