A stray cat bit me and my hand is swollen. Should I see a doctor?

Tell your friend to get to a hospital immediately! Cat bites are extremely dangerous because their mouth is filled with bad bacteria, and people have lost fingers from cat bites. I had a vet colleague in the hospital for a week on IV antibiotics after getting a cat bite. This is a medical emergency.

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Anyone who is bit by a cat should be evaluated by a physician. A cat's mouth is usually full of bacteria that can result in severe infections and cellulitis in humans that get bit. You should check with a local physician as soon as possible. You are welcome to check with a physician (as I am a veterinarian) for any more specific information. Good luck! Sorry that this happened to you! I have been through this many times and I have gone to the hospital to be looked at every time and everything has turned out ok after.

If the wound on your knee is from a bite, then I would recommend seeking medical attention if it broke the skin into deeper tissues. Cat bites are notorious for getting severely infected even with proper treatment immediatey after the bite, so I would recommend contacting your doctor about antibiotics. If the puncture wound was a scratch, it can still get infected, but they are much less likely to be severe. Cat Scratch disease does exist, but is not common in people with a normal immune system. https://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&S=0&C=0&A=1581 Good luck! I hope that was helpful. Thanks for using PetCoach.

Cats can definitely inflict damage in a fight. cats can also carry and cause disease to the animals that they do injure. Because of the swelling, especially in the throat area, I urge you to take your dog to a veterinarian as soon as possible so that they can start appropriate treatment. I am worried that there may be a large abscess that is accumulating around the throat area and it may impair breathing. I believe it is simply too risky to wait to see if this will just pass. I hope this helps and that you were able to see the vet as soon as possible.

I am sorry to hear about Clover. It definitely sounds like he needs to go to the veterinarian for this issue, especially since the swelling is worsening. We would worry about things like abscesses due to a wound, infected/abscessed tooth roots, and more. The vet will examine Clover and depending on their findings may recommend additional testing or treatment.

The kitten should be physically examined by your veterinarian. X-rays may be needed to rule out a fracture. If it is a bite, it is likely infected, given the amount of swelling, which would require antibiotics and pain management.

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! You could try to keep it clean but aside from that, I am afraid that he will need veterinary care. Puncture or bite wounds can get infected rather quickly and result in a fever which may be why he is not eating. They can form abscesses that require local treatment and antibiotics. You could perhaps consider taking him to an emergency veterinarian who is open over the weekend. Good luck and have a great day!