Bitten by a kitten!

[Georgie]

Hi,
Just wondered if anyone can confirm the rabies situation is Spain???

I fed a stray kitten yesterday and it accidentally nipped the end of my finger. It wasn't aggressive, just very hungry. I moved the bowl at the wrong moment and the kitten clearly thought my finger was a bit of food! The bite was very shallow and small but it slightly broke the skin and I have a cut about 3mm long.

I had a tetanus shot about 4 years ago (plus I had all my required shots as a child). I understand they last about 10 years so i don't think I need another. I know cats carry bacteria in their mouths so I shall keep an eye on the tiny wound but it all looks fine.

However I thought i should check the rabies thing.... As far as I'm aware the Health Protection Agency says that Spain is a 'no risk' country, ie there's no indiginous cases of rabies - (excpet bats!) and the only cases of rabies seen in the last 30 years have been in imported dogs. So I don't think there is any need to worry....????????

Can any Vets or suitably informed people confirm? Thanks very much.

[El Cid]

However I thought i should check the rabies thing.... As far as I'm aware the Health Protection Agency says that Spain is a 'no risk' country, ie there's no indiginous cases of rabies - (excpet bats!) and the only cases of rabies seen in the last 30 years have been in imported dogs. So I don't think there is any need to worry....????????

Can any Vets or suitably informed people confirm? Thanks very much.

I would think that the Health Protection agency and the WHO would be better informed than anyone on a forum. I wouldn't be worried about rabies, but more people have died from a cat bite than from rabies.

Their teeth go deep and their mouths have some nasty bacteria. I always treat a scratch/bite with antiseptic cream immediately.

http://www.vcahospitals.com/main/pet-he ... -humans/63

Sid

[Sandramay]

I would think that the Health Protection agency and the WHO would be better informed than anyone on a forum. I wouldn't be worried about rabies, but more people have died from a cat bite than from rabies.

Their teeth go deep and their mouths have some nasty bacteria. I always treat a scratch/bite with antiseptic cream immediately

Sadly, one of my friends recently died from a neglected scratch from a pet cat. His wife eventually ignored his protestations and called for an ambulance but he died later that night in intensive care from Septicemia.

[El Cid]

Yes, it happened to a friend of a friend recently. The important thing is to treat the wound immediately with some antiseptic. Usually it is just a minor bite or scratch, but if it is a really deep bite then go to the hospital immediately.

Sid

[gerryh]

I wasn't aware that cat bites/scratches could be that dangerous to humans.
We have six cats so an occasional scratch happens although we usually wash the area with some antiseptic liquid we have.
I suppose I've been lucky. The most recent bite was when our latest cat was a small kitten. She jumped onto our low terrace wall and down the other side which is not low. I leant over to pick her up by the scruff but she sunk her teeth into my hand first and I lifted her back over the wall that way.
We did keep an eye on the bite area to see if it got hot or swollen.
Cheers
Gerry

[Nimrod]

A few years ago my brother's cat bit me two days before I was due to go on holiday.
We''ve had cats for years and i should have recognised the signs,ie tail swishing while I was stroking him.
He'd obviously had enough and bit me ,not deep but he held it for a few seconds.
The next day I had a raging headache my arm had swollen up and the veins in my arm were red like someone had run a red marker pen up them.
Straight into hospital,injections and a course of antibiotics.
The quack said I'd been lucky as a cats mouth is toxic to humans and I had the early stages of blood poisoning.
Was able to go on holiday as planned with a warning to get to a hospital if it got worse.
Same year I fell into a bonfire...but that's another story!

[peteroldracer]

Same year I fell into a bonfire...but that's another story!

Your real name wouldn't be Guy would it?

[Nimrod]

Joan
(not really)

[Chica56]

Cat bites have far more bacteria in them than dog bites so should be taken far more seriously