It happens- your pet gets frustrated or angry with you or your family, then “hiss, hiss scratch, scratch!” and before you know it, one of you ends up getting bitten or scratched! Once the pain subsides, you have to take a good look at the bite and then take the proper measures to treat it. Getting a cat bite may not seem like a big deal but it still requires care. According to statistics, majority of all cat bites get infected.  Here’s a simple check list for what to do when you have been bitten or scratched by a cat.

Secure the cat and the person who has been bitten or scratched. If it’s your pet, then leave it alone. Cats usually scratch and bite when hurt or frightened. Let them be until they calm down and attend to the person who has been injured. If the cat is not yours, call the owner and ensure that the pet is isolated. If the cat is unclaimed, isolate it to ensure that it does not attack again. In most places, animal bites (including cat bites) need to be reported to local health authorities. Often the offending animal will be quarantined for a period of time (typically 10 days) due to Rabies concerns.

Basic first aid. Basic first aid is essential to ensure that the bite or scratch does not get infected. Firstly, clean the wound with fresh running water. With gloves on, apply disinfectant and an antibiotic ointment to the bite or scratch, and then put a bandage over the affected area. You might also need stitches depending on the severity of the bite.

Get in touch with a physician. A simple cat bite or scratch may seem too trivial to see a doctor for, but this additional precaution is always advisable as there is a significant chance you could develop a serious infection.

1.    Pasturella Multocida- Cats carry a bacterium called Pasturella Multocida in their mouth. This bacterium rarely harms healthy cats but can cause severe infections in humans, especially for the very young or old or for the immuno-compromised.
2.    Rabies virus- If a cat bites you, consider the possibility of a rabies infection until it is proven otherwise. Rabies is an invariably fatal viral disease that can affect all mammals and that kills far more people than it should every year. Whether you think the cat is rabid or not, it’s a good idea to contact your medical physician immediately rather than taking a chance on your life.
3.    Cat scratch fever- There is a very good chance that you could develop cat scratch fever 10-12 days after the scratch or bite. The symptoms include reddish bumps at the site of the wound, enlarged local lymph nodes, and fever. The bacterium most responsible for these symptoms is Hemobartonella Felis.

Inform your local animal control agent- If you aren’t sure who owns the cat, inform the local animal control agent immediately to take it away. The cat will have to be placed in isolation and observed for 10 days to check for rabies and other infections.

Prevention is Key
Prevention is the key to avoiding cat bites. Here are a few simple steps you can take to ensure that your pet or a wild cat does not attack you:

1.    If you see a cat getting stressed (hissing, growling, ears pinned back, swatting with paws) and think that it might bite you, it probably will.  Cats are faster than any of your quickest reflexes.  If a cat means to bite or claw you they probably will before you realize what has happened.  If you see these signs of aggression, back off and leave the cat alone.  If you need to move them, try putting some catnip in a pet carrier or in a strong box to entice them in so you can then handle them safely.
2.    Handle your pet with care- Please remember that cats have to be handled carefully. Do not be too quick to approach kittens or unfamiliar pets, but take time to get to know them first. They are more likely to bite strangers whom they see as threatening. Ask your veterinarian the right way to handle your cat especially if you need to give oral medications or injections.
3.    Have your cat play with cat toys. Do not let your cat play with your fingers and toes. An excited cat may start hunting your toes and then nip quite hard. Even the smallest break in the skin can lead to infection.
4.    Always supervise children when they are handling cats and show them the correct way to gently handle cats. Far too many children are bitten by cats because they handle them roughly. Warn your child never to approach an unfamiliar cat.
5.    Have your cat checked and vaccinated regularly by a veterinarian to rule out rabies and to keep them healthy generally.