Petco Text Logo
Petco Pet Logo

  • Two Easy Ways to Start Earning Rewards!

    rewards header
    Become a member today!
    Members-only pricing and offers, personalized care notifications, Vital Care points back on every purchase and more!
    Already a member? Sign in
    Petco Pay LogoBecome a credit card member today!

    Earn 2X Pals Rewards points at Petco
    when you use Petco Pay!

    APPLY NOW
    Learn More About Petco Pay Benefits

My cat bit me, finger is swollen, painful, and has pus. What now?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Cat | Mixed Breed | Female | spayed | 9 lbs

Hi! I’m asking this on behalf of a friend. This morning my friends cat bit her finger. The finger swelled up with puss and she says it is painful. The cat is up to date on her rabies vaccination and all other vaccinations. Should she be concerned or just let it heal? I’ll attach a photo. Thanks!

This question includes photos that may contain sensitive content. Click to view.

View more to consider that the photos may include sensitive content.

1 Answer

Most Helpful Answer

Image profile

Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

Veterinarian

Published on February 9th, 2020

Tell your friend to get to a hospital immediately! Cat bites are extremely dangerous because their mouth is filled with bad bacteria, and people have lost fingers from cat bites. I had a vet colleague in the hospital for a week on IV antibiotics after getting a cat bite. This is a medical emergency.

Vote icon

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Questions

Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
There's this stray cat that I've been feeding outside my house daily. I petted him today and I guess he didn't like it, so he lunged at me and bit the back of my hand, and the bite happened to go through my veins. There's swelling too. I'm just worri
Cat bites are always concerning as there are many serious infections which can be transmitted which are far more common than rabies. Immediate treatment by a physician is recommended and preventive antibiotics will likely be required, intravenous antibiotics are occasionally required depending on severity
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
Mu cat was but by a Tom cat. Now the wound has swelling and push formation in it. She is in a lot of pain. What should I do.
It sounds like Kitu may have a bite wouldn’t abscess. These usually need to be drained and given antibiotics to resolve. In the meantime you may consider applying a warm water and Epsom salt compress to the site. This may help with discomfort and also may encourage drainage. I would still encourage you to have her evaluated by your veterinarian as soon as possible. Best of luck and thank you for using Pet Coach.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
today my cat bit me when i took her for injection....it was a punctured wound..just like a needle prick...i washed my hand and took a tetnus toxoid dose....is it okk???
Thanks for using Boop by Petco! Anyone who is bit by a cat should be evaluated by a physician. A cat's mouth is usually full of bacteria that can result in severe infections and cellulitis in humans that get bit. You should check with a local physician as soon as possible. You are welcome to check with a physician (as I am a veterinarian) for any more specific information. Good luck! Sorry that this happened to you! I have been through this many times and I have gone to the hospital to be looked at every time and everything has turned out ok after.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
New Pet
My kitten he's 11 month was bit by a big tom cat yesterday and I didn't notice until today he's not using it and his foot is very swallon
You need to take him to the vet ASAP, he is probably suffering from a serious abscess which is causing the swelling and the pain, he will probably need it to be lanced and drain, he will also need a course of antibiotics.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My cat has a deep cut starting at the corner of her mouth and ending a bit past the halfway point on her cheek, almost like half of a Glasgow smile. It has a slight odor and minor swelling. The cheek appears intact, she isn't acting like she feels si
Hello! The main issue is that the area is likely getting infected, and she ideally needs to be started on some medications, so getting her to a vet as soon as possible is in her best interest. In the meantime, just keep the area as clean as you can, with warm water.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My cat has been bitten very badly by another cat, the vet prescribed me few antibiotics...but his face has swollen up. And his left eye is closed due to the swollen....today i tried to clean his closed eye...i saw white puss dripping from his eye and
HI, thanks for using Boop by Petco! Poor Pussy Cat! I recommend having him rechecked as soon as possible. My worry is that the bite wound is now a closed abscess and needs to be lanced so it can drain. Antibiotics have a hard time penetrating a puss filled pocket. I would not recommend waiting a week. I hope this helps and I wish Pussy Cat a speedy recovery!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My cat came in from outside with what looks like a bite on his face, above his eye. It looks like it has pus coming from it
This could definitely be from a bite, or there could be another reason for the infection. It's best to get this seen by a veterinarian, because there could be something under the skin that will continually cause an infection is it's not removed. This doesn't appear to be an emergency, but it's best to have her seen in the next day or two. For now, you can try the following: 1) Clip the hair around the area and expose all of the sore skin. 2) Wash/spray the area with just warm, clean water (no soap or other antiseptics) for at least 5 minutes at a time. Do this twice a day. I hope that helps and Cymba gets better soon.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My cat is an indoor cat but was outside in the backyard grass for a couple minutes with me when I was hanging laundry. I think he got bitten by something, because shortly after coming inside, his paw was swollen to twice its size. I gave him 1/2 a 25
Poor kitty! Based on the degree of swelling you're describing, I would recommend taking him to an emergency vet tonight, if you can. I would be concerned about something potentially serious such as a snake bite, or a severe reaction to some type of sting.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
Today I found puncture wounds at my cats neck, it looks like he's been bitten. It is very swollen, and he is acting very ill, no appetite not drinking, can't take him to a vet because it's Saturday. Is there anything I can do to treat this?
Thanks for using Boop by Petco! You could try to keep it clean but aside from that, I am afraid that he will need veterinary care. Puncture or bite wounds can get infected rather quickly and result in a fever which may be why he is not eating. They can form abscesses that require local treatment and antibiotics. You could perhaps consider taking him to an emergency veterinarian who is open over the weekend. Good luck and have a great day!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My cat was bitten badly by another cat....his face has swollen and one of his eye s closed after I tried to clean I can see puss...is his eye s damaged
Hello, & thank you for using Boop by Petco. It is very important to have Pussy Cat seen by your veterinarian as soon as possible if you suspect his eye has been damaged. The pus could be coming from around the eye, but if the cornea has been scratched, he could wind up blind, or even losing the eye if the injury is not addressed quickly. I hope you can do this tomorrow. I hope all is well very soon. Take care.
Updated on September 24th, 2025

Related Searches

Cat Food Cat Supplies Wet Cat Food Vaccines and Shots for Cats Cat Antibiotics Cat First Aid Cat Medicine Pain Meds & Arthritis Relief for Cats Cat Health & Wellness Canned Cat Food Vet Worthy Cat First Aid Clindamycin Cat Antibiotics Curicyn Cat First Aid PetAlive Cat First Aid Clavamox Cat Antibiotics Zymox Cat First Aid Vetericyn Cat First Aid Prednisone Pain Meds & Arthritis Relief for Cats Baytril Cat Antibiotics Orbax Cat Antibiotics
image
Have A Vet Question?

Book an appointment with the pros – our expert vets are here to help.

Book Now

Sponsored