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Hi Dr... Few Years Ago I Was Bitten By My

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Posted on Tue, 15 Sep 2020
Question: Hi Dr...
Few years ago I was bitten by my pet cat 2 to 3 times... recently I got to know that we need to take some medications if bitten by cat...do I need to take any medication...?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Panagiotis Zografakis (4 hours later)
Brief Answer:
not now

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

if the last bite occurred years ago then you don't need to take anything now. Since cats have sharp and long teeth the wound may be deep enough. Unlike dog bites, cat bites are more likely to get infected and antibiotics can be used. Amoxicillin-clavulanate is a good choice of antibiotic. Cat bites do not cause inflammation or infection years later. They do so right after the bite. Therefore there is no reason to take any medication now. You can only complete (if you haven't done so already, your vaccination against tetanus which is useful against all kinds of injuries. Revaccinating against tetanus once every decade is sufficient for most cases.

Kind Regards,
Dr. Panagiotis Zografakis,
Internal Medicine Specialist
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T
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Answered by
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Dr. Panagiotis Zografakis

Internal Medicine Specialist

Practicing since :1999

Answered : 3819 Questions

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Hi Dr... Few Years Ago I Was Bitten By My

Brief Answer: not now Detailed Answer: Hello, if the last bite occurred years ago then you don't need to take anything now. Since cats have sharp and long teeth the wound may be deep enough. Unlike dog bites, cat bites are more likely to get infected and antibiotics can be used. Amoxicillin-clavulanate is a good choice of antibiotic. Cat bites do not cause inflammation or infection years later. They do so right after the bite. Therefore there is no reason to take any medication now. You can only complete (if you haven't done so already, your vaccination against tetanus which is useful against all kinds of injuries. Revaccinating against tetanus once every decade is sufficient for most cases. Kind Regards, Dr. Panagiotis Zografakis, Internal Medicine Specialist