What to do if a cat scratches a child?
What to do if a cat scratches a child?
If your child gets bitten or scratched by a cat, make sure to wash the area thoroughly with soap and water. Contact your doctor for all cat bites as these are very high risk for a different type of infection. If you see any signs or symptoms of cat scratch disease after contact with a cat, always let your doctor know.
Can cat Scratch be serious?
Although rare, CSD can cause people to have serious complications. CSD can affect the brain, eyes, heart, or other internal organs. These rare complications, which may require intensive treatment, are more likely to occur in children 5-14 years of age and people with weakened immune systems.
Are cat claw scratches poisonous?
Yes, because cats have bacteria under their claws from the litter box or outside and when they scratch it could become infected even if you do keep it clean. If it does become infected you will feel a little bad with low grade fever. The doctor prescribes antibiotics for it.
When should I worry about a cat scratch?
Call your family doctor if you notice any of the following problems: A cat scratch or bite that is not healing. A red area around a cat scratch or bite that continues to get bigger for more than 2 days after the injury. Fever that lasts for several days after a cat scratch or bite.
Is it necessary to take injection after cat scratch?
Dry the wound, apply antibiotic ointment, and cover it with sterile gauze or a clean cloth. Call your doctor if the bite or scratch broke or punctured the skin, even if the area is small. A child who is bitten by an animal may need antibiotics, a tetanus booster, or rarely, a series of rabies shots.
What to do if a cat scratches you and draws blood?
What to do if a cat bites you. First, you want to try to flush out as much bacteria as possible and then irrigate the wound with water. Next, wash the wound with mild soap and water. Slow the bleeding with a clean cloth and apply over-the-counter antibiotic cream if you have it.
When should I be concerned about a cat scratch?
Do you need a tetanus shot after a cat scratch?
Tetanus. Tetanus is a serious infection caused by a bacterium called Clostridium tetani. It’s recommended that you have a tetanus booster after a cat bite if it’s been more than 5 years since you’ve had the vaccine.
What can you put on a cat scratch on a baby?
What to Do If Your Child Gets Scratched
- Clean the cat scratch or bite immediately with soap and water.
- Apply pressure to the wounded area until the bleeding stops.
- Use a clean bandage or towel and, if possible, use latex-free gloves to protect yourself and to prevent the wound from getting infected.
Can a cat scratch cause infection?
Cat-scratch disease is an infection you can get after a cat scratches, bites, or licks you. It is caused by bacteria in cat saliva. Cats likely get the bacteria from fleas. Cat-scratch disease is also called cat-scratch fever.
Should I worry about a cat scratch?
What happens if my child gets scratched by a cat?
A blister or bump may develop on the skin of your child’s arm, leg, or head several days after a cat scratch or bite. A few weeks after the scratch or bite, a swollen gland, called a swollen lymph node, may develop in your child’s elbow, armpit, groin, or neck area, near the location of the injury.
Can you get sick from a scratch from a cat bite?
A cat scratch or bite from an infected cat can lead to cat scratch fever, a bacterial infection that can cause you to get quite sick. It also is possible to get the disease if an infected cat’s saliva gets into an open wound. “The most prominent symptom is very large and swollen lymph nodes,” Peterson said.
How can I prevent cat scratch disease?
How can I prevent cat scratch disease? 1 Keep your cat free of fleas. 2 Prevent kittens or cats from licking an open wound. 3 Wash the area thoroughly with running water and soap right away after a bite or scratch. 4 Tell your children to avoid stray cats.
What is Cat Scratch Disease (CSD)?
What is cat scratch disease (CSD)? Cat scratch disease is a bacterial infection caused by Bartonella henselae bacteria. Most infections usually occur after scratches from domestic or feral cats, especially kittens. CSD occurs wherever cats and fleas are found.
