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What to do if a child is scratched by a cat?
What to Do If Your Child Gets Scratched
- Clean the cat scratch or bite immediately with soap and water.
- Apply pressure to the wounded area until the bleeding stops.
- Use a clean bandage or towel and, if possible, use latex-free gloves to protect yourself and to prevent the wound from getting infected.
Why does my cat scratch my son?
There are two primary reasons. Some cats scratch as a form of social play; it’s how they show affection and get their kinetic energy out. Other scratching behaviors can actually be a sign of aggression. Cats often lash out through scratching when they feel threatened, anxious, or otherwise uneasy.
Should you get rid of a cat if it scratches the baby?
Don’t leave cat and baby together unattended; most scratches are due to a cat fending off an inquisitive grasping or crawling baby. The jerky movements of a small child can catch a cat unawares and though it only means to fend off an “attack”, cats’ sharp claws and babies’ fragile skin do not mix.
Can kids get sick from cat scratches?
Cat scratch disease is caused by bacteria (a type of germ). People can get it if an infected cat or kitten scratches or bites them or licks an open wound. Most cases in the U.S. happen during the fall and winter and usually affect kids, probably because they’re more likely to play with cats and be bitten or scratched.
Can a cat scratch cause infection?
Cat-scratch disease is an infection you can get after a cat scratches, bites, or licks you. It is caused by bacteria in cat saliva. Cats likely get the bacteria from fleas. Cat-scratch disease is also called cat-scratch fever.
Do I need a tetanus shot if my cat scratched me?
Tetanus. Tetanus is a serious infection caused by a bacterium called Clostridium tetani. It’s recommended that you have a tetanus booster after a cat bite if it’s been more than 5 years since you’ve had the vaccine.
When should you worry about a cat scratch?
Call your family doctor if you notice any of the following problems: A cat scratch or bite that is not healing. A red area around a cat scratch or bite that continues to get bigger for more than 2 days after the injury. Fever that lasts for several days after a cat scratch or bite.
Do I need antibiotics for cat scratch?
Most cases of cat-scratch disease are self-limited and do not require antibiotic treatment. If an antibiotic is chosen, azithromycin has been shown in one small study to speed recovery.
Can you get sick from cat scratches?
Cat scratch fever: What you should know. Cat scratch fever can happen when a person receives a bite, scratch, or lick from a cat that is infected with the bacteria Bartonella henselae. The infection does not usually cause severe complications, but it can lead to problems for people with a weak immune system.
Can cat scratches give you rabies?
Rabies is usually transmitted through the saliva of an infected animal and is most commonly spread through bites. It is still possible to get rabies from a cat scratch or a scratch from any infected animal, but it is less common.