Cat Bite...

Re: Cat Bite...

Selena Carnell — Tue, 18 Jan 2011 18:16:30 GMT

if using clippers always start them away from the cat, then bring them slowly up to the cat.

Alway move steadily, so not to make the cat jump.

And make sure no one brings a dog through at the same time!

Re: Cat Bite...

emmRAR — Mon, 17 Jan 2011 21:14:06 GMT

All really good advice - thanks.

Re: Cat Bite...

Tracey Louise — Mon, 17 Jan 2011 21:13:21 GMT

Dont worry, it dosnt matter how good you are at restraining cats, u will still get the odd scratches and bites here and there,

I got bit the other month, and I have been nursing for nearly 8 years and am very good with cats, even fractious ones.

Re: Cat Bite...

Heidi O'Toole — Mon, 17 Jan 2011 21:10:34 GMT

I suggest from the start..keep the cat as calm as possible..so no loud dogs etc, give the cat somewhere to hide in thier kennel e.g cat carrier, cardboard box, cover the fronts of the kennel with a felifriend/feliway blanket...go in to the cat and say hello so the cat become comfy with you and meow at it! just stroking and building up a confidence will helo you when trying to get vein etc.. (im sure everyone does this anyway?)

Get a felifriend towel and put it on the radiator to let them feel a lovely warm blanket underneath thier feet and be as gentle and quiet as possible, wrap them up everytime.. i find that less restraint is better., i always , always blink slowly at the cats when im restraining and eye to eye and if they are getting an injection i pinch another area with my fingertips gently, but so they can feel it and they never feel the injection going in as it re-directs the pain response..only use scruffing as a last resort if the animal is going to cause danger to themselves or others..they all hate it!! If you feel they are tetchy, then use a cat muzzle as mentioned before...clip the area with quiet clippers first and apply emla and let them rest for 10 mins before doing anything else...

I find that the cat will be calmer...theres no need to use excessive force with cats and if they are unhandlable use a cat muzzle and then sedate if possible ,...if they have a horrible experince the next time they come in they will be worse and the owners are less likely to bring them in for consults.

I havnt been been bitten (touch wood) by a cat for over 4 years! Had a few rogue scratches though!

Hope this has helped a little? xx

Re: Cat Bite...

emmRAR — Mon, 17 Jan 2011 20:53:56 GMT

I know! Naughty cats. In hindsight I did try minimal restraint with just the head hold first, and that's where her grumpies started I think. Oh dear.

Re: Cat Bite...

Kerry Brennand DipAVN (Surgical) RVN A1 MBVNA — Mon, 17 Jan 2011 20:50:11 GMT

Ouch!!!! Yeh we all been there were we are caught off guard and the puddy cat gets us....... soon teaches you that can never trust a puddy cat even the ones that seem very very nice and all purry they can soon change and take a swipe !!!!

Re: Cat Bite...

emmRAR — Mon, 17 Jan 2011 20:45:11 GMT

Thanks - all good advice. I think I was just caught off guard - I'm normally okay at restraining! I went straight to the minor injuries unit - a couple of nurses I know have gotten seriously ill after not getting bites seen to. It's in an awkward place though - on tooth hole is right down the side of my fingernail, and torn around 1cm long :(

Re: Cat Bite...

Kerry Brennand DipAVN (Surgical) RVN A1 MBVNA — Mon, 17 Jan 2011 19:51:51 GMT

Another good tip if you have a naughty puddy cat.......put emla cream over the blood sample site......leave the cat in a kennel to chill out and allow the emla cream to take effect.........then take the blood sample without any fuss

Re: Cat Bite...

Sal the 1st — Mon, 17 Jan 2011 19:39:47 GMT

will agree with that - scruffing bengals is hazardous to health Morris goes mental when anybody attempts to scruff him - I have the scars as evidence

Re: Cat Bite...

Anonymous — Mon, 17 Jan 2011 19:22:17 GMT

i find when in doubt don't scruff and just head hold if you can under the chin thumb across the back of the head. so many cats freak out when scruffed. I have one cat that is fine to scruff by my two bengals would have you in a minute if you scruffed them where as if you just head hold they are like angels.

and yes agreed if the bite is bad have it looked at by your doctor. but Fucidin is regularly prescribed as skin care for cat bite infections as well as Mupirocin. I have Fucidin for other skin conditions as well and i've used it on many cat bites with great healing times!

Re: Cat Bite...

Emma Purnell — Mon, 17 Jan 2011 19:17:05 GMT

[quote user="Kerry Brennand DipAVN (Surgical) RVN A1 MBVNA"]

If its really bad you should go to the doctors for ABs if you havent already been

[/quote]

You should go anyway, the last couple of times I have put it off and regretted it!

I think every cat needs a gentle test of methods! We have some who react really badly to the general restraint techniques and you can get away with lifting the head and thats it, one last week the vet was planning to sedate for bloods when I tried scruffing it and it because the most placid thing ever - from teeth and claws everywhere! I think you need to see how you get on without having one firm and set method

Re: Cat Bite...

Kerry Brennand DipAVN (Surgical) RVN A1 MBVNA — Mon, 17 Jan 2011 19:13:25 GMT

If its really bad you should go to the doctors for ABs if you havent already been

Re: Cat Bite...

Kerry Brennand DipAVN (Surgical) RVN A1 MBVNA — Mon, 17 Jan 2011 19:12:15 GMT

The joy of puddy cats!!!! Always be on your guard even with the nice ones......tend to wrap in towel for blood sampling or iv injections.....cat muzzles work well........have two people holding in some cases.....also i blow gently in their face gives them something else to think about........

Re: Cat Bite...

emmRAR — Mon, 17 Jan 2011 19:12:13 GMT

She tensed a bit so I did scruff her, but I underestimated her reaction a bit! I'm all bandaged with an iodine gauze which needs keeping dry for 2 days - what fun that will be!

Re: Cat Bite...

Anonymous — Mon, 17 Jan 2011 19:09:30 GMT

hurts like a booger doesn't it!! lol i find watching body language and generally keeping your hands away from their face when doing anything different or new! but if you get bit put a bit of fuciderm on it to keep from getting an infection! :)

Re: Cat Bite...

Emma Purnell — Mon, 17 Jan 2011 19:09:16 GMT

This sounds bad, but you must assume all animals are capable of doing just that.

I am not saying for a second to heavily restrain all animals or anything like that, just be cautious and be aware that clippers, loud noises and injections freak me out - imagine how they must feel!!

- EDIT: Also, there will always be the odd one to catch you out - there is no fool-proof way to avoid being bitten! I got my head munched by a pointer so I can't really say too much