Content

• Steps
• Tips

Although cats do not bite as often as dogs, their bite can be much more dangerous. Since cats' mouths are full of harmful bacteria, cat bites can cause serious infections that can lead to a person in the hospital. Even if your cat is vaccinated and did not want to offend you, you should take proper care of the bite to avoid complications. See Step 1 for how to do this.

Steps

1. 1 Examine the bite. Take a close look at it. Did your cat's teeth pierce your skin? How deep is the wound? Cat bites can often be much worse than they look. The tiny holes from the small, sharp teeth of a cat may look harmless but be full of harmful bacteria. What's more, the bite can heal quickly, leaving bacteria inside the skin.
   • If the bite has not pierced your skin, then it is possible that you do not need to seek medical attention. Rinse the area of ​​the bite well and observe it for several days to immediately notice any signs of developing infection.
   • If the bite has pierced the skin and caused bleeding, you will need to see a doctor after rinsing the area of ​​the bite. If you don't see your doctor, you run the risk of getting an infection that can spread to nearby tissues and lead to blood poisoning.
2. 2 Place your hand under an open tap. To flush out as many bacteria as possible, place the bite area under warm water. You can use baby soap, but do not use harsh cleaners, peroxide, or any other chemical on the wound area.
   • If you are unable to seek immediate medical attention, clean the bite area with a saline solution (1 teaspoon of salt to 2 cups of warm water).
   • Make sure the water is not too hot to avoid damaging the skin in the area of ​​the bite and slowing down the healing process.
3. 3 Don't rub the wound. This will only rub the bacteria deeper into your skin, increasing your risk of infection. The best tactic is to cleanse the wound with running tap water.
4. 4 Stop bleeding. Before going to the doctor, place a clean bandage or cotton wool over the bite area and apply gentle pressure. If the bandage is soaked through with blood, replace it with a clean bandage.
5. 5 See a doctor immediately. As soon as you can do this, go to your doctor right away. He will examine your wound and decide how best for you to care for it. Most likely, he will advise you on one of three methods:
   • Antibiotics... To kill bacteria that have entered your body from your cat's teeth, your doctor will likely prescribe you a course of antibiotics.
   • Suture... If the wound is deep enough, several stitches may be placed on it. Typically, most cat bites do not require stitches, as they are usually puncture wounds.
   • Vaccinations... If it has been more than 5 years since your last tetanus shot, your doctor may advise you to get it again. If there is a risk that the cat that bit you is sick with rabies, then you will be prescribed prophylactic treatment for rabies.
6. 6 Seek medical attention if the wound looks infected. After visiting your doctor, monitor the bite and check it regularly for redness, swelling, pain, and itching. If these symptoms appear, return to your doctor immediately.

Tips

• Avoid cat bites if possible.