My kitten just bit me! :(

[castmemberb4]

Wow Sounds like a lot of bad cases here.
I have had cats for 18 years, fostered over 20 in the last year
and right now have 4 of my own. I've had many bites, scatches
and puncture wounds. I've never been to a Dr or had antibiotics.

I also fully believe that cats should not be indoor/outdoor pets
But should be indoor only, it's MUCH safer for them.

 

[Minnesota!]

Wow Sounds like a lot of bad cases here.
I have had cats for 18 years, fostered over 20 in the last year
and right now have 4 of my own. I've had many bites, scatches
and puncture wounds. I've never been to a Dr or had antibiotics.

I also fully believe that cats should not be indoor/outdoor pets
But should be indoor only, it's MUCH safer for them.

Was going to post something very similar. I have had many many cats over the years, and grew up with cats at all my relatives houses. I have been bit, scratched, terrorized by many cats. Many very deep. Never have seen a dr, never used anti-biotics, and rarely have I ever even cleaned out a bite/scratch. Wouldn't even cross my mind to. Anyway, apparently I have been extremely lucky?!?!?

 

[snarlingcoyote]

As a dear young friend who spent several summers working in a vet's office for the experience (she wants to be a vet) once said, as she sported a huge bandage.

"Yeah. I got another bite. It's part of the work. You get bit, you take horsepills."

Now, I think maybe the term "bite" may be what's in question here. Small scratches, fleshy wounds - those won't generally get infected. It's when you get a SERIOUS bite from an enraged cat that gets infected. We're talking bleeding-all-over-everything, you-have-new-respect-for-your-cat's- jaws, deep puncture wounds that leave a scar. The bites that go down to the bone, mainly. The ones cats don't give out in warning, they give out with intent to maim, maul and/or kill.

Those often get infected even when you follow all the given protocols. Been there, done that, have the scars and got the infection.

 

[BonnieA]

Now, I think maybe the term "bite" may be what's in question here. Small scratches, fleshy wounds - those won't generally get infected. It's when you get a SERIOUS bite from an enraged cat that gets infected. We're talking bleeding-all-over-everything, you-have-new-respect-for-your-cat's- jaws, deep puncture wounds that leave a scar. The bites that go down to the bone, mainly. The ones cats don't give out in warning, they give out with intent to maim, maul and/or kill.

Have to give you a negatorie on that one. My bite was so light that I didn't give it a second thought until I got symptoms the next day. Cats mouths are like sewer pits, the size of the bite doesn't matter. If the skin is broken the bacteria can get in. I didn't even realize my skin was broken. I also grew up around cats, have had really serious bites but never had a problem until this one time.

 

[minnie56]

Same for me...it was a quick nip ..I washed my hands and didn't give it another thought. Till the next morning when I couldn't figure out why my hand hurt..