See a doctor for any cat bite, as these are particularly likely to become infected. Minor animal bites and scratches are common and can usually be treated at home. Otherwise you may be faced with the prospect of having a series of four rabies vaccine injections which can be a painful process to endure. The symptoms of cat-scratch disease can manifest about three to 14 days after an infected cat bites or scratches a person hard enough to break the skin, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Your child's healthcare provider will determine specific treatment for an animal bite. Secure the cat or the patient, or both. If the wound is large or deep, treat the bleeding, and call 999 or 112 for emergency help. If the wound is bleeding, apply pressure with a clean, dry cloth to stop the flow of blood. Sometimes these wounds must be opened surgically to treat damage deep in the tissues. After removing any possible foreign materials, these wounds have to be thoroughly probed and then carefully cleaned with large volumes of antiseptic solution. save. Rengim Mutevellioglu / Getty Images Steps to Treat a Cat Bite . Cat bites that are left untreated may result in gangrene or bone infections in extreme cases, and may spread further in the body. These bites are usually minor and painless (although they might hurt when the cat is particularly excited?) At least, that's what the cat would say. When this happens, bite wounds can occur. Mostly, the cat. Whether the animal is a family pet (in kids, most animal bites that are reported are from dogs) or a creature from the wild, scratches and bites can carry disease. How to start. Close. Cat bites usually cause only minor injuries but have a greater risk of an infection developing. Pets may bite when they are stressed, when they are left with unfamiliar people or in unfamiliar places, or when they are not being handled properly. They will show vaccinations the animal has had, including one for rabies. Treatment for Dog and Cat Bites and Scratches How to deal with dog or cat bites and scratches. For other bites, see your GP. Suddenly, without being provoked, the cat turned on me. Basic first aid principles can be followed, whatever the cause. Cat Scratch Home Treatment. Domestic animals tend to bite sometimes and although most lesions are minor it is important to know the cat bite treatment guidelines to be prepared. An infected wound needs immediate medical attention to avoid severe complications such as bone infections or gangrene. Signs of Infection. Contact your vet for advice if you think your cat has an abscess. Minor Cat Bite - do I need to do anything about it? Posted by 1 year ago. Greater than 6 to 12 hours for bites to the arm or leg. A visit to a physician or emergency room is always recommended for cat bites, dog bites, and other animal-related puncture wounds due to the high risk of infection and illnesses like rabies. You may know exactly how the wound happened, if you saw them standing on a piece of broken glass, or your cat may simply have returned through the cat flap with an injury of unknown origin. Bat bites. If your cat bite is bleeding or torn, wash the area and apply a clean, dry cloth to staunch the bleeding and head to your doctor’s office. If the cat bite results in a minor scratch and not a puncture, wash the wound with soap and water and apply an antibiotic ointment and bandage. Because cats have smaller and sharper teeth they can cause very deep puncture wounds, which can sometimes go right down to the bone. Whatever it is, it's minor. A child with a cat bite may need a tetanus shot. And most people who have cat and dog bites don’t need a rabies shot. Treating a cat bite should always start with the safety of all involved, including the patient, the rescuer, and if possible, the cat.