Cats are capable of painful, dangerous bites.
An estimated 80 percent of cat bites can result in an infection, according to the Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine. The high infection rate is because of a combination of the natural bacterial content of feline saliva and the difficulty of cleaning bite wounds properly. You can typically treat cat bites at home, however, if you take immediate action. Still, you should know when to visit the emergency room for a cat bite because they may potentially lead to permanent joint damage if an infection makes its way to the bones.
Instructions
1. Wash the cat bite with an anti-bacterial soap and warm water immediately after the bite occurs. Scrub the area for two to three minutes and rinse it under warm running water for an additional two minutes. This may cause pain in deep bites, but it's important to fight through it to ensure as much bacteria is washed out as possible.
2. Wipe the area of the bite with an antiseptic wipe to kill any residual bacteria left on the surface of the skin.
3. Cover the bite with an antibiotic ointment and put a bandage over it.
4. Check on the bite after 10 to 12 hours. If redness, swelling or pain is still present, a visit to the emergency room is in order.
Tags: bite with, emergency room, visit emergency, visit emergency room