What to Do for Cat Scratches

Laceration to the leg

Image via Wikipedia

The answer depends on the wound. The type of wound and the depth of the wound are the important factors you should consider. Although any cut, abrasion or laceration from an animal (cats especially) can get infected, puncture wounds and deep, full-thickness wounds have the greatest chance of getting infected.

No matter what the cut, abrasion or puncture looks like, the first thing to do is clean it well. Wash the wound with a mixture of water and povidone-iodine solution.

If the cut or puncture is deep, try using a Water Pik (that you use to clean your teeth) and spray the water into the wound. That will help flush out any deep dirt and bacteria. Wash the wound for at least five minutes.

If the wound is bleeding, apply a clean cloth or gauze pad with pressure, and stop the bleeding. Then bandage the wound to prevent it from getting dirty and infected.

If the wound looks very deep, or if it starts turning red, swollen and tender, see the doctor right away. He can prescribe antibiotics that will prevent bacterial infection of the wound.

If the cat scratch doesn’t look infected (swollen, red, tender or pus-filled) after 24 hours, then it probably isn’t going to get infected. The first 24 hours after an animal bite usually determine whether or not the wound will get infected.

Animal bites or scratches have greater chances of getting infected than other wounds because of the extra bacteria the animal carries. Up to about 90 percent of all cats carry the bacteria Pasteurella multocida.

If you become infected with this bacteria after a cat scratch or bite, your wound will begin to show infection right away, including pus drainage and occasional fevers and swollen glands.

Any signs of infection should alert you to see your doctor.

You can also get the illness tetanus – once known as lockjaw – from animal bites. So if it has been five or more years since your (or your children’s) last tetanus shot, get one right away.

Over-the-counter pain relievers like aspirin or acetaminophen will help soothe any pain and discomfort that the wound might cause. See your doctor if the wound doesn’t improve or gets worse.