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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Should I Do After A Cat Bite Causing Cellulitis?

My cat got out and came back freaked out - she bit my hand yesterday - I cleaned it thoroughly with soap and water more than 10 minutes - hydrogen peroxide and alcohol - 3x yesterday. It's now developing cellulitis - I know I need augmentin - but have been homebound and unable to go out for over 2 years. Freaking out about needing Rx and unable to leave the house.

Mon, 29 Sep 2014
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Pathologist and Microbiologist,  's  Response
Hello and welcome to HCM,
Its good that you washed the cat bite site with soap and water for 10 minutes.
The animal bites can be complicated by two pathologies- infection of the bite site and transmission of rabies.
The bite has to be followed by tetanus toxoid which protects from tetanus infection.
Was your cat immunized against rabies?
If no then you need to take anti-rabies vaccine as well as rabies immunoglobulin.
If the cat was immunized in past one year, only anti-rabies vaccine is needed.
The other complications is that of infection of bite site.
Since, you have mentioned that you are developing infection of the site, surgical debridement of the site is needed and oral antibiotics are also needed.
You need to consult your primary healthcare provider else the infection can spread and can lead to major complications.

Thanks and take care
Dr Shailja P Wahal

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What Should I Do After A Cat Bite Causing Cellulitis?

Hello and welcome to HCM, Its good that you washed the cat bite site with soap and water for 10 minutes. The animal bites can be complicated by two pathologies- infection of the bite site and transmission of rabies. The bite has to be followed by tetanus toxoid which protects from tetanus infection. Was your cat immunized against rabies? If no then you need to take anti-rabies vaccine as well as rabies immunoglobulin. If the cat was immunized in past one year, only anti-rabies vaccine is needed. The other complications is that of infection of bite site. Since, you have mentioned that you are developing infection of the site, surgical debridement of the site is needed and oral antibiotics are also needed. You need to consult your primary healthcare provider else the infection can spread and can lead to major complications. Thanks and take care Dr Shailja P Wahal