Cat Scratch Wound Bleeding: Treatment Steps and Precautions

Cat Scratch Wound Bleeding: Treatment Steps and Precautions

A cat scratch wound, not only brings pain but also poses a risk of rabies infection. Knowing how to properly treat the wound and take timely preventive measures is crucial for safeguarding your health.

1. Wound Treatment Steps

1.1 Cleaning the Wound:

Squeeze Out Blood Clots: First, squeeze out as much blood as possible from the wound to prevent blood clots from blocking the wound and increasing the risk of infection.
Rinse with Running Water: Use 20% soap water or other weak alkaline detergent and rinse the wound thoroughly with running water under pressure for at least 15 minutes. If possible, use high-pressure pulse instruments or syringes to inject and cleanse the wound deeply for better results.
Saline Rinse: After rinsing with detergent, clean the wound with saline solution to remove any remaining detergent.
Dry the Wound: Finally, use a sterile cotton ball to dry the wound, ensuring no liquid remains.

1.2 Disinfecting the Wound:

Iodine/Povidone-iodine: Use a 2-3% concentration of iodine or povidone-iodine to carefully swab the wound surface.
Alcohol: You can also disinfect with 75% alcohol, but be careful to avoid irritating the wound.

1.3 Bandaging the Wound:

Clean Gauze: Cover the wound with clean gauze and bandage it to prevent further contamination.

2. Rabies Prevention

Vaccination: If you are unsure whether the cat that scratched you is carrying the rabies virus or if there is a risk of infection, you should go to the hospital immediately for rabies vaccination.
Time Limit: The best time to get vaccinated is within 24 hours of being scratched. Vaccinations after 24 hours may be less effective, but it is still necessary to do so promptly.

3. Precautions

Avoid Scratching: After being scratched by a cat, try to avoid scratching the wound with your hands to prevent bacterial infection.
Observe the Wound: Observe if the wound shows signs of redness, swelling, or pus, and seek medical attention promptly if necessary.
Monitor the Cat's Condition: If the cat that scratched you shows unusual behavior, such as becoming irritable, afraid of light, etc., contact your local animal health authorities immediately.

4. Summary

Proper wound care and preventive measures are essential after being scratched by a feral cat. Prompt rinsing, disinfection, bandaging, and rabies vaccination, if necessary, can effectively reduce the risk of infection and ensure your health and safety.

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