Cat scratched me really bad on back of hand where veins are. Swelled up badly, still painful although think its because its on the vein. Do I need a Tetanus. Cant remember last time having Tetanus, if at all.
2007-09-27 10:02:42 · 14 answers · asked by Anonymous in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ Infectious Diseases
put some bacitracin or neosporin on it. You should be fine but if it develops a red ring around the swelling and the site becomes hot and very painful, then that is def. and infection, so go to the doc. I don't exactly know what your definition of swelled up badly is so it is hard to say....if there is a softball on top of your hand, go to the er. good luck.
2007-09-27 10:12:52 · answer #1 · answered by taylor p 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You don't say how long ago you got scratched, but there is a time limit on how long after an event that you can get a tetanus shot (unless you are getting one to get caught up on your vaccinations, which is a good idea anyway.) Many docs will not give the shot for the injury more than twenty four hours after.
General practise Md's usually say a tetanus shot is good for five years.
Could be a simple reaction to the injury which will go away soon by itself, or an infection. For that, I usually soak my hand three times a day in hot water with boric acid or mild dish soap, and that takes care of it. If it is really swollen, leaking fluid, or the veins in your hand and arm are red and swollen, see your MD immediately.
Cat scatch fever is carried by siamese cats, and makes you sick all over. Tetnus makes your muscles stiffen up and lock, and is rare in this country anymore. It comes after a deep puncture wound.
2007-09-27 16:43:09 · answer #2 · answered by mannon 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If it starts to look infected I would definitely go to the doctor. He needs to work on keeping it really clean with soap and water and antibiotic ointment. If it doesn't get better he will have to have it checked out. My husbands grandmother was scratched by her daughters cat - and it actually caused her to loose most of her movement in that finger. Cat scratches can sometimes be serious. Cats dig around in their litterbox, and who knows where an outside cat's claws have been. You should definitely stay away from that cat - avoid it and don't encourage it to come around (calling it, making noises at it, etc - remember the tiger at San Diego?? Those kids were trying to get it's attention). If it does come around leave it alone and don't acknowledge it's presence. That should solve the problem. If it just attacks for no reason while you're minding your own business and you can't make it go away - be armed with something that makes a loud noise to scare it - and tell your neighbors the problem with the cat - if they don't care then call animal control - a cat that attacks for no reason is dangerous to your family - and even more dangerous to children.
2016-04-06 04:15:05 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you are under 50 years you should already have had at least 5 Tetanus boosters. If this is the case, then further immunisation is probably unnecessary, however the wound may be infected and you might therefore need antibiotics. Get it looked at!
2007-09-27 11:30:38 · answer #4 · answered by Dr Frank 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Maybe you're just allergic to your cat's bite. But I would suggest a doctor visit if it doesn't clear up in a couple of days. And I would probably get a Tetanus shot as well, just to be on the safe side.
2007-09-27 10:11:50 · answer #5 · answered by Einsteinette 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
You don't need a tetanus shot, but you might need antibiotics. Have you ever heard of cat scratch fever? Cat scratches and bites can sometimes be very bad. Monitor it, and if it gets worse, go to the doctor and get antibiotics.
2007-09-27 10:07:43 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
see doc asap, in paper yesterday was article about a guy recently who died after being scratched by pet rat and didnt do anything about it till too late. dont panic its very rare but best to get it checked to be sure.when did it happen? i think tetanus usually appears within 24 hours of cut, but u still need to get it checked.
2007-09-28 13:06:09 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Cat scratches dont normally swell up. Sounds like your cat accidentally gave you an infection. Go see your doctor before it turns into something serious like blood poisoning.
2007-09-27 10:11:11 · answer #8 · answered by kitty 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I don't mean to be alarmist but I read an article today about a man who died from a badly infected bite from his pet rat. Something like that is quite rare, obviously, but I would get it checked out if I were you. Infected wounds aren't pleasant.
2007-09-27 10:12:53 · answer #9 · answered by Chipmunk 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
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2017-02-24 05:44:10 · answer #10 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋