What should I do if I get bitten by a kitten and it draws blood?

Nov 27, 2024 Source: Cainiu Health

Dr. Wang Lei

Introduction

After being bitten by a kitten and bleeding occurs, the first step is to remain calm and avoid excessive movement that could further damage the wound. Immediately rinse the wound thoroughly with plenty of running water for at least 15 minutes to flush out as much cat saliva, bacteria, and viruses as possible. You may use soapy water to clean around the wound, but be careful not to let the soapy water flow into the wound itself.

Generally, if bitten by a kitten and bleeding occurs, you can take the following steps for treatment: stop activity and clean the wound, disinfect the wound, stop bleeding and dress the wound, assess the wound condition, seek medical attention for examination and vaccination. The specific steps are as follows:

1. Stop activity and clean the wound: After being bitten by a kitten and bleeding, first stay calm and avoid excessive movement that may worsen the wound. Immediately rinse the wound thoroughly with running water for at least 15 minutes to flush out as much cat saliva, bacteria, and viruses as possible. Soapy water can be used to clean around the wound, but be careful not to let the soapy water flow into the wound.

2. Disinfect the wound: After cleaning, disinfect the wound using antiseptics such as povidone-iodine, hydrogen peroxide, or medical alcohol. When disinfecting, gently wipe from the center of the wound outward to avoid moving bacteria deeper into the wound by rubbing back and forth.

3. Stop bleeding and dress the wound: If the wound is bleeding heavily, gently press the wound with clean gauze or tissue paper to stop the bleeding. Once the bleeding has stopped, properly dress the wound with medical gauze or a bandage to protect it from secondary contamination. Be careful not to wrap the dressing too tightly, as this may affect blood circulation.

4. Assess the wound condition: Examine the depth, size, and degree of contamination of the wound to determine if further treatment is necessary. If the wound is deep, large in area, or severely contaminated, seek immediate medical attention.

5. Seek medical evaluation and vaccination: Go to the hospital as soon as possible for examination. A doctor will evaluate the wound and determine whether rabies and tetanus vaccinations are necessary. The rabies vaccine should be administered within 24 hours after the bite to prevent the occurrence of rabies. If the wound is deep or heavily contaminated, a tetanus vaccine may also be required.

During the treatment period, maintain good lifestyle and dietary habits to avoid irritating or infecting the wound.

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What should I do if a kitten bites me and breaks the skin?

In general, if bitten by a kitten and bleeding occurs, you should stop the bleeding, clean and bandage the wound, seek medical attention, receive a rabies vaccination, and follow up with proper wound care and observation. When playing with kittens, try to avoid actions that may provoke them, such as pulling their tails excessively or scratching them forcefully. Additionally, avoid feeding kittens directly by hand to prevent accidental bites.