Cats are territorial creatures, and when roaming the suburbs, they often feel the need to challenge another feline that dares invade their space. This is especially common for highly territorial tomcats; however, neutered males and females will also fight occasionally.
During a fight, cats commonly sustain scratch and bite wounds. Cat bite wounds can be particularly nasty as a cat’s mouth is home to lots of bacteria. When a cat is bitten by another cat, it causes a deep puncture wound contaminated with these bacteria, which introduces infection. This may result in a painful abscess (pocket of infection containing blood and pus).
Unfortunately, some cats also carry infectious diseases such as Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV) and Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV), which are transmitted through cat bites. However, vaccinations are available, and if your cat spends time outdoors, you should discuss this with a vet.
If a dog has bitten your cat, seek veterinary attention immediately. Dog bites can result in severe crushing injuries and may be life-threatening. If you have been bitten or scratched by a cat it is also vital that you seek medical attention.
What Happens When Your Cat Has Been Bitten by Another Cat?
In the early stages, when the wounds are fresh, you might not notice much at all. Small bite wounds or cat scratches can be easy to miss in long or thick fur. However, you might notice some fresh blood on the fur, a bleeding or oozing puncture wound (especially on areas with less fur, like the head and face), or your cat may be limping or moving uncomfortably. Cats will also commonly lick the area excessively.
It is usually 2-4 days later that the more severe effects of bite wounds start to emerge.
- Fever – Cats can experience a fever after a cat bite, as the body reacts to the bacterial infection. Signs of fever include lethargy, hiding (under the bed or in a small, confined space), less interest in their food, and feeling warm to touch (especially over the ears and paws).
- Abscess – These usually appear as swellings or lumps, and they’re warm and painful to touch. Sometimes, because of their thick fur, pet parents don’t notice an abscess until it ruptures or bursts. An abscess looks like an open weeping wound, often with a lot of discharge or wetness on the surrounding fur.
- Cellulitis – Bite and scratch wounds tend to be associated with soft tissue inflammation and swelling, known as cellulitis. This may be especially noticeable around the face and legs.
- Lameness or abnormal tail position – Lameness or limping is sometimes very severe, and your cat will hold up their sore leg, refusing to put their weight on it. They might also show more subtle signs of lameness and just be moving awkwardly or uncomfortably and reluctant to jump. Bite wounds over the tail can also cause your cat’s tail to look floppy.
- Behavioral changes – After a fight, your cat may hide or seek shelter inside simply due to stress. However, there are other reasons they might be behaving strangely. If your cat is quiet, lethargic, or eating less than normal, they may have a fever or be in pain. Your cat may also be more grumpy or reactive than normal because of a painful area, especially if that part of the body is touched when petting.
Cat bite or scratch wounds can occur in especially sensitive areas of the body. This includes bites in a joint space (which can cause septic arthritis or an infected joint), deep wounds on the chest (which can cause a pyothorax, a life-threatening infection of the chest cavity), or a cat scratch to the eye. If you think your cat has been bitten on a joint, on the chest, on the face, or has an eye injury, you should contact a vet immediately.
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What Should I Do If My Cat Gets Scratched or Bitten?
The first thing to do is keep your cat inside. That way, you can monitor them closely, and you’ll be ready to take them to the vet.
- Observe your cat from a distance. Are they behaving strangely? Are they limping? Can you see any blood or an obvious bite wound? Are they vocalizing or showing signs of distress? Is their breathing normal?
- Take a closer look at your cat– Can you see the wound? Is it big? Deep? Through the skin? Is it in any of the sensitive areas such as over a joint or on the face? Sometimes, it’s easier to “look” with your fingers, feeling for a wet patch or swelling, but be careful because your cat may lash out.
If you suspect your cat has been bitten or scratched by another cat, it’s always best to seek veterinary advice as soon as possible. Even minor wounds have the potential to become infected and form an abscess. However, you don’t need to call the out-of-hours emergency number unless your cat has a gaping wound or is in severe pain or distress. If in doubt, you can call them for advice, and they will let you know if you need to visit the clinic.
If there is only a small, shallow scratch or tiny graze from a tooth, you may elect to monitor your cat over the next 5 days for any of the more severe signs mentioned above and keep the wound clean. However, it is essential to remember that puncture wounds are easy to miss in a fluffy coat. Also, remember to be careful handling a cat with a cat bite or scratch injury, as they are often painful and are more likely to bite or scratch you!
How Do You Treat a Cat Bite On a Cat?
The vet will thoroughly examine your cat to determine the extent of the injuries and take their temperature to see if they are running a fever. From there, the vet may clip the surrounding fur and clean and flush the wound. If your cat has an abscess, it’s usually lanced to allow the infection to drain and the wound to heal.
Sometimes, this is too painful to perform, and your cat must be sedated or anesthetized for the procedure. More severe injuries may require surgical debridement (removal of dead or infected tissue) and a drain placed. Blood tests may also be performed to check for infectious diseases such as FIV or FeLV.
Your cat usually goes home with pain relief, antibiotics, and sometimes an Elizabethan collar (cone of shame). It is important to keep your cat indoors and to follow all the vet’s instructions.
Home Wound Care for Cat Bites
What can I put on my cat’s wound? Can you put Neosporin on a cat’s wound?
If you are cleaning a cat bite at home, follow the instructions from a veterinary professional. In most cases, warm water or saline are the safest options. Ensure your hands have been washed with soapy water for at least 20 seconds (or you are wearing gloves), and use damp cotton wool to gently wipe the wound twice daily.
Do not use peroxides or disinfectants since they can irritate, delay wound healing, and even be toxic to cats in some cases. Do not put any creams such as Neosporin on your cat’s wound unless explicitly advised by a veterinarian.
What can I give my cat for an infection?
Only medication prescribed by a veterinarian should be given to your cat. Antibiotics will be safely prescribed by the vet in cases of infection and will commonly be dispensed in a tablet or liquid form, or may be given as a long-acting injection. It is important to follow all label instructions closely and finish the course of antibiotics even if the wound has healed or looks clean.
How long does it take bite and scratch wounds to heal?
The good news is that bite or scratch wounds will heal within 5 to 7 days for most healthy cats. Cats that suffer from diseases affecting their immune system, such as FIV or FeLV, may experience delayed wound healing.
How can I prevent my cat from getting bitten or scratched?
Neutering your cat is recommended as it will help reduce territorial behavior and the chances of your cat getting into a fight. However, neutered male and female cats can suffer from cat bite and scratch injuries. Keeping your cat exclusively indoors or building an enclosed outdoor cat run are good options to keep your cat safe.
There is some evidence that cats share the territory in built-up areas. Arguments are more likely when you let your cat out at different times of the day, as they’re more likely to run into other cats in their territory. If your cat doesn’t have a cat flap, try making sure you only let them out at the same time of day.
Conclusion
It’s never nice for your cat to be in a fight or to come home with painful wounds. You should call a vet for advice if you notice a wound on your cat and send them a photo to help you decide whether to take them to the clinic. Remember that bites are painful, and your cat might lash out in fear and pain when examined. If you get bitten by your cat, you should clean the area immediately and contact your doctor.
Related Reads:
- How to Treat a Cat Scratch: 6 Vet-Reviewed Crucial Steps
- How to Treat a Cat Scratch: 6 Vet-Approved Steps
Featured Image Credit: rihaij, Pixabay
