What are the most popular household pets in North America? Recent surveys indicate that they are fish, cats and dogs. Households that prefer cats often have more than one, so it's not surprising that cat bites or scratches are relatively common, especially among children.
First aid should begin with assuring safety for all concerned.
* Move the victim away from the cat. If the animal belongs to you, place it in a peaceful and secured area for observation. If it belongs to someone else, check that it has been vaccinated for rabies. Even if it has been, the cat should be confined and kept under observation for ten days to two weeks to be sure the vaccine has been effective.
* Healthy cats only attack when they are sick, annoyed, frightened or they sense that their kittens are being threatened. Don't start first aid until you're sure the cat won't attack again.
* Wear protective gloves and a smock if they are handy.
* Assure the victim the danger is over and you know what to do.
* Stop the bleeding. Apply a clean cloth and wait several minutes. Only use a tourniquet if there is severe bleeding that won't stop.
* Wash the wound, using soap, under warm, running water for about five minutes. Try to clean as far inside the wound as possible. Cat's teeth and claws carry bacteria. Don't rub briskly as this may damage surrounding tissue. Be sure all the soap is rinsed off. It could cause irritation later.
* Dry the wound and apply antibiotic ointment if you have any. Cover with a sterile bandage.
* Watch the wound in the following days for signs of infection: increased redness or pain, swelling, heat, or drainage.
* Notify the doctor to see if any follow-up treatments are necessary: stitches, antibiotics, a tetanus booster or a series of rabies shots.
* Cat bites and scratches are often deep. Wounds on the face or hands should always be seen by a doctor because of the possibility of scars or loss of sensation or function.
* Any unidentified cat may be infected with rabies. This is a disease which is always fatal. If the owner of the animal cannot be found or if s/he cannot provide proof of a rabies vaccination, the victim must have medical care.
* If, within two weeks of getting a cat scratch or bite, the victim develops flu-like symptoms such as fever, headache, fatigue, loss of appetite or swollen glands, notify a physician. He may have cat-scratch fever.
Cats are the most popular four-legged pets on our continent but they can also cause unpleasant and even dangerous illnesses when sick, aggravated or abandoned.
However, when a feline is treated well, kept nourished and contented, and taken to a veterinarian for regular check-ups, it will give its owner many years of affection and pleasure.
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