Owie...my hand!

[Tambrey]

I took one of the outside semi-feral cats in today because she has had a bad cough...I noticed it 2 days ago and at the time thought it sounded like a hairball hack, so thought nothing of it...but lastnight when I was out there, it was a bad cough...

I took her kittens as well because 2 of the 3 have had gunky eyes...

Well, she did okay while he took her temp, slightly elevated...she took the antibiotic shot okay....but when he put the dewormer in her mouth, all hell broke loose! She was all over that room, including up on shelves and knocking things off....thankfully nothing broke and he was able to capture her with a towel and get her back into the carrier...but she did get my hand really good...my thumb is swollen to the point I cannot bend it and the back of my hand is swelling and starting to bruise...good thing I am left handed so I can still draw!!

As for the kittens, he did not get a chance to look at them good after Mom went wild, so he peered at them in the carrier and said that for now they seemed okay, and I am thinking that since he gave her the antibiotic shot, they will get some in her milk...but he said if they seem to be getting worse, or no better, within 2 days, to bring them back alone and he will check them closer and see if we need to give them some antibiotics as well.

Then, I went to the cliinic across the road and they looked at my hand...for now just keep it clean, I got a tetanus shot just this February, so all is good there, but if I get any redness at all I am to go in to the clinic or ER immediately...

Mom and kitttens are back in their egg-crate cardboard box covered with tarp again...

[Cleo]

I'm assuming your skin was broken and blood was drawn? Did you get antibiotics as well?

Hope you heal quick!

[k9Karen]

Was the wound from a scratch or a bite? If it was a bite, please go to the doctor and get some antibiotics. Some of the worst wound infections we see are cat bites. The usual cause is Pasteurella multocida which, fortunately, is usually sensitive to even the least expensive antibiotics. Since this is a bug common to rodents, like rabbits, I would expect a ferral to have it in his mouth. If it was a scratch, you still have the same risk, and and even add in tetanus if it was deep. If the wound is red, hot, swollen and/or weepy - get to the doctor ASAP.

[Tina B and crew]

I was thinking the same thing as Karen...if it is a bite please get it checked out.

Glad you were able to get the kitty looked at though, even if it did turn out to be quite the adventure! Let us know how your hand is doing though, please?

[Tambrey]

I am sure it is not a bite...I did go to the clinic from the vet and the head nurse looked at it...she said as long as I was SURE it is not a bite, to keep it clean and if it shows any redness of infection to get right back in, or to the ER...

this morning, it is swollen and I was able to get the scab off of my thumb and got a bit of puss from it...no redness or anything yet, but if it is still like this tomorrow, I am going to go request antibiotics anyways, especially with the weekend...I do not want it to get worse and end up in hospital!!

[Cleo]

Tambrey go get that looked at and cleaned out. Get on an antibiotic before you end up with flesh eating disease. I know that's from a different organism altogether but I still OCD about it even with mosquito bites - which I have 2 of and have gone overboard in cleaning.

[Tambrey]

thanks Cleo...I am going to go in tomorrow for antibiotics...

a few years ago, I stepped on a rusty nail....went to the clinic and got a tetanus shot and it was cleaned out well...but by the next morning my entire foot was swollen and red and hot...back to the clinic, sent directly to the hospital and thankfully my foot doctor/surgeon was at the same hospital doing a foot surgery, so I was next in line...after he cleaned my foot out, I spent 3 days in hospital on 24 hour IV antibiotics.....I do not want to be doing that again...

I have had cat scratches before, and I have had them get swelled and a bit of puss before as well...so as long as I can keep this clean and opened to drain, that helps get icky stuff out...washing dishes is good for it....

[k9Karen]

If it's draining, it's probably OK, but best not to take any chances. I know this type of wound can be really nasty. If you see red streaks going up your arm - that's very bad news - get care immediately if that happens. I am one who definitely doesn't believe in taking unecessary antibiotics, but in this case, I think they are indicated.

If your tetanus shot was within the past 10 years, you're probably safe there.

[Tambrey]

yeah, tetanus shot was just this past Feb, so good to go there...

I usually do not like to take antibiotics if not totally necessary either....but I agree, when it is like this, I would rather be safe than sorry...

I opened it again tonight and just got some weepy stuff, then cleaned it with bedadine and put triple antibiotic on it and bandaged it for the night...it is not as swollen as it was this morning, but as I said, with the weekend coming, I do not want it to be really really bad by Mon...or to the point I need to go to the hospital over the weekend!

[k9Karen]

Not to seem too negative, but neither betadyne nor triple antibiotic ointment will cure an active infection. Both are very good for infection prevention, especially in surface scrapes, scratches or burns, but they won't have much effect on an already established infection. If the swelling is going down, that's probably a sign you're on the mend and your immune system is doing it's work properly. But do keep an eye on it and don't wait to get care until it gets really bad.