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Suggest Treatment For Swelling In The Hand After A Cat Bite

Posted on Mon, 8 Aug 2016

Question: I was bitten in my hand by my cat yesterday. Today the hand is puffy and swollen. Very sore. Now red streaks are going up my arm. Can this wait until morning or should I go to the emergency room?

Answered by Dr. Pavan Kumar Gupta (1 hour later)

Brief answer....go to ER immediately
Detailed answer...
Hello,
Thanks for the query.
I have read your query and would advise you to go to ER immediately and not wait till tomorrow. Cat bites can be very dangerous because cat carries large number of bacterias in their mouth which can cause local tissue infections. An infected wound looks red swollen and painful. This infection can travel to surrounding tissues causing cellulitis or through blood to other areas of body causing septicaemia.
You need a proper course of broad spectrum antibiotics along with a tetanus injection and possible anti rabies vaccination,in case cat is not vaccinated.
I hope it helps,however you are most welcome to revert to me for any further query.
Best of luck
Thanks

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Nagamani Ng

Follow up: Dr. Pavan Kumar Gupta (18 hours later)

I am only reading this now. I thought the answer would come in email. Well it is too late for today, I will go in tomorrow morning. All the urgent care clinics are closed.

Answered by Dr. Pavan Kumar Gupta (1 hour later)

Hello,
Best of luck. You are most welcome to ask any query any time.
Thanks

Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar