Cat bite: WWYD?

We were putting flea treatment on my favorite cat tonight...I love him, I really do. Max is normally a big cuddle bear, but when we get out the Frontline...he becomes a MONSTER!

Anyway, DH was trying to hold him down while I applied the medicine, but Max flipped and bit my wrist. It wasn't a very deep bite, but broke the skin about an inch long and it's bruised and swollen. I looked online and as usual, there's enough there to scare the heck out of ya. Things like, infections that begin 2 hours after being bitten, septicemia in immune-compromised people, etc. They say that cat bites are one of the worst you can get, germ-wise.

One site (maybe Dr. Sears?) said that anyone who is bitten by a cat on the hand or near a joint needs to start oral antibiotics within eight hours. Which would not be a big deal if we weren't heading out to Florida at 5:00 in the morning.

I washed it with soap and water, then (owie!) scrubbed at it with peroxide-soaked cotton, then poured more peroxide over it and let it bubble really well. Then I applied neosporin and a band aid.

I just can't go to an ER with an inch-long cat bite! LOL But it'll be 4 or later tomorrow afternoon before we get to Florida. WWYD? I'm wondering if I should call the rheumy and see if she'll call in an oral antibiotic that I can pick up at the 24 hour pharmacy on my way out. But I wonder if it's really necessary, or is the internet just trying to scare me?

I feel really dumb! LOL

I have had cat bites in the hand - it doesn't matter if its an indoor or outdoor cat, cats have very, very unhealthy mouths. Because the blood flow is inhibited in the extremities, bites there can and do become infected quickly...I've had it happen. (Fortunately long before lupus.) Once you think there is any sign of swelling or infection, head directly to the nearest doctor - clinic, hospital ER, whatever. Antibiotics are necessary! If you take any steroids, don't wait for signs - plan on getting antibiotics ASAP. If you're leaving at 5 am and not getting in until 4, I'm guessing you are driving. You can stop at a clinic or ER anywhere along the way. Please don't wait on this.

Thanks so much for your input! You guys always calm me...I have been a nutcase trying to get ready for this trip! LOL It's good to hear that others have been bitten but nothing came of it.

I will keep an eye on it, and if it looks iffy or really hurts, I'll stop along the way and have it looked at. (Yes, we're driving.)

Thanks again for the input!

I have a really weird old home remedy that my family has used on anything that has a chance of infection- white bread torn up really small and covered with milk and heated to as hot as you can possibly stand it (all milk soaked into the bread so it is kind of like a weird pudding) applied and held on the area for 2-3 hours can draw out lots of stuff- I personally had it used on a knee scrap that had pebbles imbedded into it, a toe that had an infected ingrown toenail, and a few cat bites and scratches. Oddly enough it worked- on the infected ingrow toenail I had done several rounds of antibiotics and a doctor had drained it twice. My great-grandfather is the one who taught it to the family and he was an EMT for years. I do not claim it is a sound medical treatment and personally prefer the doctor and antibiotics to this treatment but I know it can help. It feels really really gross and the smell is strange. It has a huge ewwww factor to it.

Hi Kari, The only cat bite I've had got very infected and I had to get and antibiotic shots, but you will know if its infected because it red, swells and hurt.Hope you don't have that.

I know it's a little late, but there is a real good home remedy for infections of any kind including cat bites. As well as keeping it clean, using triple antibiotic cream and peroxide... if it becomes infected, take a ripe banana peel, place it over the wound and wrap well with gauze and leave at least 6-8 hours before changing it. The banana peel will draw the infection out. Do this as many times as needed until the infection is gone. We have used this for years on our horses, dogs, cats and ourselves and have cured infections that even the vet had given up on.

 I just went to the doctor for a cat bite, my own cat bit me and it got infected. He said that cat bites almost always get infected so it is best to get to a doctor for antibiotics and a tet. shot. An untreated cat bite could lead to not only infection but apparently blood poisoning which is very serious! Cats are dirty even inside cats dig around in the litter box! He said dog bites are ok, but cat bites should be taken seriously! If it is an outside cat that hunts and comes into contact with other cats then I would def. see a doc. I am no expert. I learned from experience. I hope this helps!