Cat Scratch First Aid

If you live or work around cats it s inevitable that you ll get scratched one day even if it s just accidentally.

Cat scratch first aid.

By mychelle blake cat behavior consultant. We have at any time between 10 to 20 cats with us in our home. Animal bites and scratches even minor ones can sometimes lead to complications. Clean your hands in great detail with warm or hot water for at least 20 seconds not forgetting the areas between your fingers and under the nails.

Then rinse your wound with warm water and start cleaning the injured area with soap. Cats may bite or scratch if frightened or their kittens are threatened so leave them alone. The following are common feline emergencies and instructions for first aid. Our family board cats in our house.

Washing your hands is the first step leading to successful cat scratch treatment. First aid for an infected cat scratch. First aid for cat scratches. If an unknown or feral cat scratches you levy recommends using the same first aid treatment but also enlisting the help of animal control or your local health department.

Some bites especially from cats can get infected by bacteria from the animal s mouth. If not move the patient to a safe location. Besides the scratch providing an opening for germs to enter your body cats sometimes carry a bacterium called bartonella henselae even though most of them don t actually show signs of illness. Steps to treat a cat bite.

The first sign of cat scratch disease in humans is usually a small swelling at the region of the cat scratch or bite followed by enlarged lymph glands in the armpits groin or neck. If a cat scratches or bites you you need to act quickly to prevent. Cat scratches is just part of. What you should do for a cat bite or scratch.

Move one away from the other. Depending on the severity of the scratch and whether it was accompanied by a bite the animal may need to be identified and quarantined or tested for signs of disease such. Secure the cat or the patient or both. Whether the animal is a family pet in kids most animal bites that are reported are from dogs or a creature from the wild scratches and bites can carry disease.

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. They can coil around you alluringly but they also can scratch and bite. Taking proper care of a cat scratch is important as it s not uncommon for a simple scratch to become infected.