Feral kitten bite discomfort, similar experiences?

Question

4 to 8 week old Feral kitten bit the tip of my index finger about 4 days ago (it had fallen into a hole we dug in the construction of a deck and I was trying to rescue it). I washed the small wound with soap and then rubbing alcohol immediately. Later that day I noticed that whole the finger was stiff, achy, weak, and somewhat swollen. The finger is still that way and not getting better or worse. No drainage, no discoloration. I can see the litter of kittens from time to time and none seem sick, neither does the mom.

Lots of conflicting information on-line concerning rabies, tetanus, bacterial issues and kittens. Has anyone had similar symptoms after a cat/kitten bite? Did you seek treatment? What was the outcome?

I do plan to see my physician hopefully today - it just seemed like such a tiny bite to worry about and I felt silly so didn't go to the ER (got bit Saturday morning of Labor Day weekend).

Thank you in advance for your replies!

:-)

Answer 1

The best thing is seeing the doctor-You may need a tetanus shot-

They might have file a report-because it was a bite from a basically wild animal- You may have to see if you can get the cat and kittens and quantine them for 6 weeks to rule out rabies-

I was exposed to a rabid cat and had to get shots- the signs were not what i thought they would be for a rabid cat-Good Luck

Next time use a heavy duty glove.

Answer 2

Sounds like you need antibiotics.  Tiny or not you got bit by a stray kitten that may be infected with God knows what.

Answer 3

go to the hospital,get the shots just in case.the only way to test for rabies is to examined the brain.don't be stupid

Answer 4

You are right to go to the Dr. cat bites are notorious for getting infected. If you haven't had a tetanus shot in 5 years or so they will probably want to give you one just to be sure. Last, and only, time I ever got bitten the Dr. wanted me to do antibiotics but I hate to take them and didn't fill the perscription, with Dr's OK, and soaked my hand 3 times a day in hot water and epsom salts with a little Tea Tree oil added. I didn't get an infection and didn't have to do the antibiotics.

Good luck