Do I need to see a doctor if a cat bites me?

Always seek medical advice if you have been bitten by an animal or person and the bite has broken the skin. People and animals have a lot of bacteria in their mouths, which can cause an infection if a bite breaks the skin.

What to do if your cat bites you and breaks the skin?

If a cat or dog bites you, you should:

1. Wash the wound gently with soap and water.
2. Apply pressure with a clean towel to the injured area to stop any bleeding.
3. Apply a sterile bandage to the wound.
4. Keep the wound elevated above your heart to prevent swelling and infection.

Do I need a tetanus shot for a cat bite?

Some wounds may need to be sutured (stitched) while others will be left open to heal. A tetanus booster may also be recommended. Depending on the severity of the bite and the circumstances surrounding the bite, your doctor may also recommend that you receive a rabies prophylaxis treatment.

Do all cat bites need antibiotics?

For infected bites, your doctor may recommend intravenous (IV) antibiotics until the infection clears. But most infected bites will only need oral antibiotics. Your doctor might also suggest a tetanus booster shot. This depends on how severe the bite is and your vaccination status.

Should you put peroxide on a cat bite?

After 24 to 48 hours, gently wash the wound with clean water 2 times a day. Do not scrub or soak the wound. Don’t use hydrogen peroxide or alcohol, which can slow healing. You may cover the wound with a thin layer of petroleum jelly, such as Vaseline, and a non-stick bandage.

Do you need antibiotics if your cat bites you?

Yes. It is advisable to see a physician as soon as possible in order to have the injury properly treated. Your doctor will likely prescribe antibiotics in order to reduce the risk of infection developing at the site of the bite or elsewhere in the body.

What is the best antibiotic for a cat bite?

Cephalosporins

Tetracycline

Fluoroquinolones

How do you heal a cat bite?

If the cat bite results in a minor scratch and not a puncture, wash the wound with soap and water and apply an antibiotic ointment and bandage. If the wound is bleeding, apply pressure with a clean, dry cloth to stop the flow of blood.

What are the signs of an infected cat bite?

Redness: One of the first signs your bite may be getting infected is redness around the wound.

Heat: Whether or not the bite begins to redden,check it often to make sure it is not warmer than the other parts of your body.

Odor: Some bites develop an unusual odor.

How do you treat an infected cat bite?

Make an antibacterial paste using tea tree oil,calendula or goldenseal and a sterile clay.

Carrots can also help in the treatment of infected bites of cats.

Mix juice of lime and castor oil and put over the infected cat bite.