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Major Cat bite
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poohbear538 posted:
I received a major cat bite on my index finger about 3 weeks ago. I went to the dr for a tetnus shot and antibiotics. The severe pain and swelling did go down, but I am still experiencing pain and am not able to use my hand, of course its my dominant hand. I have done searches and see nothing about issues after the initial bite. I know everyones first response is to go to the dr, but I do not have insurance and am currently unemployed so this is out of the question. It feels like a bruise and is still swollen. I am just wondering if my hand will heal more or if this is it. Any help is greatly apprciated.
4 Replies |Watch This Discussion | Report This| Share this:Major Cat biteI received a major cat bite on my index finger about 3 weeks ago. I went to the dr for a tetnus shot and antibiotics. The severe pain and swelling did go down, but I am still experiencing pain and am not able to use my hand, of course its my dominant hand. I have done searches and see nothing about issues after the initial bite. I know everyones first response is to go to the dr, but I do not have insurance and am currently unemployed so this is out of the question. It feels like a bruise and is still swollen. I am just wondering if my hand will heal more or if this is it. Any help is greatly apprciated.
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AMERICAN VETERINARY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION
Drew Weigner, DVM, ABVP responded:
If you want to retain the use of your hand, go to a medical facility right away. Cat bites can be extremely serious and permanent damage is a real possibility. Cat bites are nothing to fool with!

Drew Weigner, DVM, ABVP
The Cat Doctor
Board Certified in Feline Practice
Report This| Share this:Major Cat biteIf you want to retain the use of your hand, go to a medical facility right away. Cat bites can be extremely serious and permanent damage is a real possibility. Cat bites are nothing to fool with!<br /> <br />Drew Weigner, DVM, ABVP<br />The Cat Doctor<br />Board Certified in Feline Practice
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poohbear538 replied to Drew Weigner, DVM, ABVP's response:
I am not sure if you actually read my post, but I did go to the Dr and did get antibiotics. This does not help me at all. If I had health insurance I would go to the Dr without a thought. While I understand that this is an issue, your knee jerk reaction to go to the Dr does not work for me.
Report This| Share this:Major Cat biteI am not sure if you actually read my post, but I did go to the Dr and did get antibiotics. This does not help me at all. If I had health insurance I would go to the Dr without a thought. While I understand that this is an issue, your knee jerk reaction to go to the Dr does not work for me.
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Violets_are_Blue replied to poohbear538's response:
I understand you've been to a doctor and you don't have insurance but if your entire hand is affected from a bite on your finger, then something is definitely wrong and it could get even worse if it is an infection from something the antibiotics couldn't clear. Cat scratch fever can be caused by cat bites and its symptoms may not even appear for weeks after infection. It would definitely be in your best interest to at least consult your doctor about the swelling.
Report This| Share this:Major Cat biteI understand you've been to a doctor and you don't have insurance but if your entire hand is affected from a bite on your finger, then something is definitely wrong and it could get even worse if it is an infection from something the antibiotics couldn't clear. Cat scratch fever can be caused by cat bites and its symptoms may not even appear for weeks after infection. It would definitely be in your best interest to at least consult your doctor about the swelling.
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poohbear538 replied to Violets_are_Blue's response:
Thanks Violet. Its not affecting my whole hand, just my index finger, making it difficult to use my hand. Also, reading about cat scratch fever, it says it can last 2-3 months and generally clears on its own. Its not hot or inflamed, just feels like the bone is bruised.
Report This| Share this:Major Cat biteThanks Violet. Its not affecting my whole hand, just my index finger, making it difficult to use my hand. Also, reading about cat scratch fever, it says it can last 2-3 months and generally clears on its own. Its not hot or inflamed, just feels like the bone is bruised.
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