On wednesday I accidently shut my cat's tail in the door, as I fumbled to open it he tore the crap out of my right foot. It has 16 puncture wounds, mainly on the back where he grabbed it to try to pull himself forward, and several scratches on the front. He'd just been outside, so his claws were probably dirty.
So the long and short of it is that two of the worst puncture wounds around the ankle are swollen, very very tender, red, hot, and leaking pus. The fot hurts to walk on too, and I can't sleep well.
Should I go to a doctor? Or just keep rubbing antiseptic on it? I feel pretty stupid going in for what look like small cat claw wounds, but it hurts like hell.
2006-09-30 11:32:22 · 11 answers · asked by indygocean 2 in Health ➔ General Health Care ➔ Injuries
It sounds like you may have an infection. Go to the doc and try to find a good recipe for cat.
2006-09-30 11:36:56 · answer #1 · answered by MAD MEL 4 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Been there (you should see my right arm, trying to get the stupid cat away from the stupid German Shepherd yesterday). Claw wounds can be dangerous--think about it, where was your cat the last time you saw him? Paws in the litterbox, most likely!
Get thee to a doctor or ER for some antibiotics, you sound like you have a case of blood poisoning.
And next time wash the wounds out immediately and treat with an antiseptic.
2006-09-30 11:41:21 · answer #2 · answered by blueprairie 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Cat-scratch disease (also commonly known as cat-scratch fever) is a self- limiting infectious disease characterized by swelling and pain in the lymph nodes (regional lymphadenitis). Symptoms can vary from mild to severe, and may include achiness and discomfort (malaise), and/or loss of appetite (anorexia). The disease is caused by the bacterium Bartonella henselae and, in most cases, occurs as a result of a scratch, bite, or lick from a cat or kitten. Symptoms may not appear for several days after exposure and may last for several weeks. Although cat-scratch disease usually subsides without treatment, antibiotic and/or antimicrobial therapy may speed recovery. Approximately 22,000 cases are reported in the United States each year, although more mild cases may go unnoticed and resolve without treatment.
It sounds like you should see a doctor. The wounds may need to be drained and you probably need an antibiotic.
2006-09-30 11:40:52 · answer #3 · answered by justwondering 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Cat scratch fever is a real thing. I know someone who wound up in the hospital for days because of it. I would definitely get it checked out by a doctor, just to be on the safe side.
2006-09-30 13:08:07 · answer #4 · answered by PangiBear 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
YOU MUST GO TO THE DOCTOR!!! You could get blood poisoning. No medical professional will ridicule you for seeking help for cat wounds, we all know how dangerous they are and how much they hurt. I've been scratched and bitten several times (used to work for a vet) and I know for a fact that they might not look like much but they can be one of the worst bites ever! You'd be stupid if you didn't go.
2006-09-30 11:39:27 · answer #5 · answered by candeekissez 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Good grief, what size was this cat? Anyway, get to the doctor.
If you've got any antibiotics laying around start taking them. It may be a good idea to soak your foot in a warm epsom salt bath. Then put the antiseptic on it. Do this frequently. But because it's oozing pus, you need to be on an antibiotic.
2006-09-30 11:37:09 · answer #6 · answered by Doodlebug 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
go to your local ED or Urgent Care Clinic ASAp. You may have cellulitis (infection). Also, please do not take any antibiotics that you have laying around, you are only setting yourself up for resistant bacteria (bacteria that no longer can be treated with the normal course of antibiotics because you've overused antibiotics or used them improperly). I recommend a tetanus shot as well if it's been more than 10 years since the last one.
2006-09-30 11:41:20 · answer #7 · answered by stacey t 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
sure just keep putting antiseptic on it and when you get gangrene you can say you did your best. My God use your head and get your **** to the doctor and get a tetanus shot. you may need more then a cleaning but cat injuries like yours could be very bad since cats are always standing in feces and urine...
2006-10-01 02:17:53 · answer #8 · answered by bluedanube69 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You could follow the advice of every one and go to the doctor or you could let gangrene set up and die. The choice is yours.
2006-10-04 05:00:44 · answer #9 · answered by Gramms 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You shoulld really see your doctor, it sounds like there may be some infection setting in.
2006-09-30 11:39:55 · answer #10 · answered by Chief 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋