First Aid for Cat Bites and the Risk of Rabies
Wednesday April 25, 2007
From the Desk of Vince Ianelli, M.D., About.com Guide to Pediatrics:
Q. My preschooler was bitten by a stray cat in the neighborhood this afternoon. What should I do?
A. In addition to basic first aid, which includes stopping the bleeding, cleaning the wound with soap and water, and applying an antibiotic ointment and bandage to the bite, you should call your local animal control agent, health department, and/or pediatrician to see if your child is at risk for: read more...
Suggested Reading:
Q. My preschooler was bitten by a stray cat in the neighborhood this afternoon. What should I do?
A. In addition to basic first aid, which includes stopping the bleeding, cleaning the wound with soap and water, and applying an antibiotic ointment and bandage to the bite, you should call your local animal control agent, health department, and/or pediatrician to see if your child is at risk for: read more...
Suggested Reading:
Comments
I can personally testify to the dangers invoved with cat bites! Sadly, cats “don’t brush after every meal,” and as a result cat bites often become infected.
About 40 years ago, I was bitten by my own Siamese. The bite quickly became infected, and I was put on antibiotic pills (as well as pain-relief pills). In 2000, I was again bitten by my own cat…in this case, his fangs penetrated a bone which then became infected. I spent the next month as an outpatient of the local hospital and receiving antibiotic injections every eight hours…and lost some movement in the two affected fingers!
Steven C. Barr
Oshawa, Ont’o., Canada