Cat 1 v Me 0 .... Ouchie!!!

[~Kate~]

I got in the middle of a cat fight and came off second best. I have deep holes in my arm and hand as well as some scratches. I haven't gone to the doctor because they don't need stitches or anything. I have washed them out and am using an antiseptic cream on them. I was wondering if I might need a tetanus shot as I'm not up to date (can't even remember when I had my last one). My cat lives in an old bird aviary (converted for cats) with other cats. I'm concerned that I might have some nasties in my arm from faeces, dirt etc from her claws.

I might make an appointment with the doctor next week but don't want to waste their time if not needed.
Any help would be appreciated...

[mollycat]

You probably should make an appointment. Better to be safe then sorry. I caught my heel under the bottom of our gate at the beginning of the year, tore open a big gash, 4 stitches and a tetanus shot later the hospital sent me home. It happened on a Sunday evening so went to the local hospital emergency department.

You could always ring the doctors surgery, explain what happened and ask their opinion.

[Laranna]

I'd look at getting the tetanus shot just to be on the safe side. As mollycat said, you could always ring the doctor and ask. If you can't get through to your doctor you could try Health Direct.

[christy]

I have had quite a few nasty cat issues, when I was 19 I volunteered at a local animal shelter. I didn't go to the doctor and scrubbed the cuts with soap and betadine. Two weeks later I was diagnosed with cat scratch fever which is like glandular fever and caused by the bacteria in cats claws getting into your blood stream.

Please get it checked out, I get tetnus shots every 5 years due to working in the animal industry.