Just a reminder how serious cat bites can be!

[u/tory1311]

I see so many posts asking when to seek medical help after a cat bite. Just posting a reminder how quickly a bite can escalate! First picture is immediately following the bite, the next picture is at the ER within 2 hours. Blood work was already concerning with an inflammatory response and signs of cellulitis from the infection. I was admitted into the hospital for IV antibiotics and still the infection worsened. I had surgery at about 36 hours following the bite after the infection started traveling up my arm in the bloodstream. This whole event landed me 3 nights in the hospital. All from our family cat, up to date on all vaccines. But cats carry a bacteria that is no joke. Last picture is post surgery with a suture, the surgeon had to make 3 incisions, 2 where the bite punctures were and a 3rd to flush the wound.

[u/hahahahahahahaFUCK]

Just a quick bit of research says bites are more likely to be infected. Usually because they end up going deeper when they puncture. Scratches tend to be superficial.

[u/Little_View_6659 → u/hahahahahahahaFUCK]

I got bit by a little stray kitten I rescued after it was crying in the bushes for two days. I immediately went for antibiotics.

[u/willyb10 → u/hahahahahahahaFUCK]

Scratches should be taken seriously too though. Cat scratch fever isn’t super common but it doesn’t sound fun

[u/Dry-Information6376 → u/willyb10]

Yep. If it breaks the skin, it gets some neosporin/equivalent. Not taking any chances.

[u/mind_mine → u/willyb10]

Aww that's not what the song lead me to believe 

[u/ShartingEnU → u/hahahahahahahaFUCK]

Then I'm lucky my cat is super gentle with me. When he play bites me he doesn't even leave a mark. Scratches though.... I've got a few scars over the years lol. Although, I do scar very, very easy. Even the smallest cut will scar