No good deed goes unpunished.....

Status
Not open for further replies.
Sheila & Beau GA & Jeddie GA

Sheila & Beau GA & Jeddie GA

Member Since 2009
So, I took my aunt's cat to the vet today and one of the things he needed was nail trimming. He has gotten them trimmed numerous times by this vet, but today he freaked out about it. I was trying to keep him from biting the vet and he got my thumb in his mouth and bit down - hard. His whole fang sunk into the top of my thumb. Plus, there are 3 other shallow punctures on the bottom and side of my thumb. My right hand, of course. It bled a LOT! Hurts like h*ll and is so swollen I can't bend it. I just hope the tendon is ok. I changed the bandage and there is a huge bruise forming from internal bleeding.

Now I have to go test Cami, give her meds (2 pills, 2 syringes of oral meds), her shot, and give Beau 3 pills. Then they both need SQs tonight.
 
Hope it feels better soon. I've found (since Moochie REALLY HATES taking his Prozac) that it's best if you can soak your thumb in a cup of water for about a half hour several times a day (this also works for nails in the foot - the construction type, that is!) And Neosporin.

I've got a little dish that says, "Everything I've done in life that was worthwhile, I caught h@@@ for!" The things we do for the good of our kitties - even if they're unappreciative little munchkins!!!
 
You soak it even after it started healing? I ran it under water for about 5 minutes until it stopped bleeding, then washed it with antibacterial soap or something (the vet gave it to me) and then bandaged it. When I got home 3 hrs later I soaked it in peroxide for 15 mins and put neosporin on it.

I finally got worried enough yesterday to get a tetanus booster at the pharmacy. The pharmacist commented on the redness around the area. That seems less today and it isn't as warm to the touch and the swelling is down - but still somewhat red, swollen and warm compared to my other hand. If I had insurance I would have gone to urgent care or the ER on Sat.

I actually think the worst puncture is on the underside and I didn't notice it at first. The adhesive part of the bandaid was over it and that looks infected, but it isn't nearly as deep or large as the one on the top.
 
It's going to get nastier looking too but sounds like you're doing the right things. I agree, soaking will help even while healing. The bruising is normal too - a bruise is just blood that leaked between the layers of skin.

BIG HUG!
 
Puncture wound = direct injection of bacteria from cat's mouth.

Please do a search for a free clinic in your area. Although the surface can look like it is healing, underneath, it could be getting into the bone or bloodstream. Folks have wound up with amputations by not getting treated for bite wounds.

This Public Service Announcement / nudge is from your public health epidemiologist / other mother.
 
If it gets into the bone, there may not be much redness and swelling. It can look healed on the outside. That's the concern I have.

If the redness/swelling starts advancing, don't wait for it to get bad, go to an ER. Sepsis can be deadly.

Keep soaking in warm water with mild soap/antiiseptic; if it opens up again, any infection may drain. Let it.
 
I soaked it last night and again this morning and let it air dry. Then I put tea tree oil on the wounds and bandaged it. It is a lot better today. There is only slight puffiness - like how your fingers would swell the day after eating a really salty food. I can only really tell comparing it to my other hand. The redness is 95% gone as well. And no warmth.

BTW, I looked for a free clinic and I actually don't qualify financially, mainly because I took $11,000 out of my IRA last year to live off of for 5 months and that is considered income. Also, they don't do urgent care. I might qualify for a hardship discount at the hospital nearest me.

I am cognizant that I can't put a price on my health and the use of my hand, so I am being very vigilant about this and I will go to the ER if it worsens.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top