What should I do if my baby is scratched by a cat? What should I do if my baby is bitten by a cat?

What should I do if my baby is scratched by a cat? It is very easy for a baby to be injured by a cat when they are with the cat. Today I will tell you how to deal with a baby who is scratched or bitten by a cat. The baby's skin is delicate, so parents should take good care of the wound and deal with it in time.

What to do if your baby is scratched by a cat

Generally, after being bitten, even if there is no bleeding but slight abrasions, one ampoule of the vaccine should be injected on days 0 (1st day, the day of injection), 3 (4th day, and so on), 7, 14, and 30. The dosage for children is the same. However, timely disinfection and cleaning of wounds is very important for preventing rabies. First, rinse the wound with 3%-5% soapy water, then disinfect the wound with 75% ethanol, and then apply iodine tincture. Even if it is delayed for 1-2 days, local treatment should not be ignored. It can be said that the role of local wound cleaning and disinfection is no less than that of vaccine injection.

Vaccines are not 100% effective after injection, and some people may get sick after vaccination.

Your child has missed the best time to get vaccinated. It is meaningless to get vaccinated now. Besides, the chance of virus transmission through scratches is not too high. Besides, the cat does not necessarily carry rabies virus. Even if bitten by a dog with rabies, some people will not get sick. So don't worry too much.

What are the consequences of being scratched by a cat?

The consequences of being scratched by a cat

Being scratched by a cat can cause discomfort. If the scratched wound is not treated in time, it may cause sepsis after infection. Being scratched by a cat may cause zoonotic infection, namely cat scratch disease. Being bitten or scratched by a rabid cat may cause rabies.

What is cat scratch disease

Cat scratch disease is a zoonotic infection that is benign and self-healing, with most patients recovering within 2 to 3 months.

Local lymphadenopathy occurs within 2 weeks after being scratched by a cat, and the glands in the groin or armpit on the injured side will also be flushed. The lymph nodes are firm and soft at first, but later become fluctuating, and fluid may flow out and form fistulas. The patient may also have fever, fatigue, headache, and anorexia, and the lymphadenopathy may occur at the same time.

What to do if a baby is bitten by a cat

First aid treatment

First, squeeze the wound to drain the blood.

Wash the wound thoroughly with soap and water for at least 15 minutes.

Rinse with plenty of water after the soap is rinsed off.

As long as there is no severe bleeding after a cat scratch, there is no need to rush to stop the bleeding.

If the wound is deep and bleeding profusely, you should immediately press gauze on the bleeding area to stop the bleeding as soon as possible.

Iodine or alcohol can be used for local disinfection.

Wounds are generally not suitable for bandaging and suturing.

To prevent infection of the wound, a tetanus shot should be given.

Regardless of whether it can be confirmed that a cat is infected with rabies, vaccination must be given as soon as possible after being scratched by a cat.

If necessary, high immune serum may be injected at the bottom and around the wound.