What to do if bitten by a cat

All animals, including domestic cats, have different temperaments. Your affectionate pet may play too hard and accidentally bite someone in the household. Most often, small children suffer from bites and scratches. What is the first thing to do if you or your child is bitten by a cat? And what to do if the cat is stray?

First aid for a bite A pet can show aggression when feeling unwell or tired. Try not to show undue attention to the animal if you notice that it is hiding and not in the mood. But sometimes it can be difficult for a child to explain that the cat is clearly not ready for games and caresses. 

What to do if bitten by a cat? There are bacteria in the saliva of any feline that can harm the human body. First of all, calm the child, explain that the wound and scratches must be thoroughly washed and disinfected. Pay attention to the depth of the bite and the amount of bleeding: bandaging or suturing may be required. 

If a child has been bitten by a cat and the arm is sore and swollen, contact the clinic immediately. Be sure to tell your doctor about your pet’s last vaccination. Stray cat bite Injuries caused by stray animals are much more dangerous. If your pet is vaccinated, then the same cannot be said for a cat that walks by itself. At a minimum, the risk of contracting tetanus is likely, but the worst is rabies. 

Rabies is a viral disease that is transmitted along with the saliva of a sick animal through a bite or scratch. Currently, this disease is not treatable, it can only be prevented. The closer the bite to the nerve endings, the shorter incubation period. 

If bitten by a street cat, carefully inspect the bitten place. If bitten to the point of bleeding, immediately wash the wound with plenty of warm water and soap, and then go to the nearest hospital. To prevent the disease, you need to be vaccinated against rabies and tetanus. If you did not notice obvious damage to the skin, but after the bite, the finger is clearly swollen, contact a specialist for advice.

Prevention of cat bites To avoid injuries caused by cats, try to pay attention to the behavior of your pet. Be sure to take him for an annual checkup and vaccination at the veterinary clinic. If your veterinarian advises more frequent check-ups, follow his advice. 

Be sure to pay attention to the behavior of yard cats. Do not let your child pet them and try to play with them, especially if the animal is unkempt, dirty, with matted hair, looks sick, behaves strangely or aggressively. Remember that the behavior of stray animals is unpredictable. If you suspect that a cat in your yard is sick with rabies, contact the nearest state veterinary station for the control of animal diseases (SBBZh).