Cat Bite

[Jemisa]

This evening our cat bit me and its not the first time, she has bitten my husband a few times too.
This cat we rehomed from the RSPCA she's 4 years.( WE've only had her 5 days) She's a loving cat well behaved a really nice cat and we're very fond of her. She loves to sit on our lap of an evening but one cannot stroke her as we've found out to our cost, she'll bite and hang on. I have six puncture wounds from this bite and its throbbing, I've bandaged my hand and put antiseptic cream on. Should I go to a doctor tomorrow?
I'm a bit worried because my immune system is below par & I'm worried in case the cat could have passed on an infection.
Should we take the cat back to the RSPCA? My small grandchildren may next be bitten and I'm worried.

Jem.

[boxtops]

Jem, if you've only had the cat a few days, I would hope you can give her a bit more of a chance. Do take the bite to your GP or walk-in centre, just to check - I've had some snaggy bites from one of my cats from time to time and it's really hurt, their teeth are sharp and can be dirty, but I've never had an infection from it. My thought is that you don't know what this cat may have experienced in the past before she went to the RSPCA, and she may still associate stroking or handling with mistreatment at the moment, and she will have to learn to trust again. You will need to tell your grandchildren to leave the cat alone for a while, until she recognises them - small people can be rough without realising it, if the cat's not happy she may go and hide while the children are about, all of mine do as soon as they hear little feet! My youngest cat only tolerates petting and grooming for a short time before he starts snapping, but we know the signs now and make him get down from our laps when he starts looking wild. I suspect it's fear and uncertainty when you stroke her which is making her lash out - she should come round in time, I certainly hope so, for both you and her. Good luck!

[brenda]

I have only ever had 1 cat , this was also a rescue cat. She would sit on your knee and purr away, but as soon as you attempted to stroke her she would bite you.After a few bites we learned to just let her sit there.It was as though she was quite happy to sit ,but found being touched annoying.
She used to go upstairs when children came to the house and hide under the bed. As soon as they left she would come down again.
She lovedyou to speak to her and was playful with her toys , but stroking was a permanent no no.

[Jemisa]

Boxtops & Brenda, Thankyou for your replies. Of course we'll give Ella another chance she's a lovely cat we'll just have to see what a few weeks brings. If there's any more news in future I'll keep you posted.
The doc did put me on antibiotics an gave me a tetanus jab.

Jem.

[tamborine]

Have a tetanus jab if u need one. Cat sits on ur lap for warmth & obviously doesn't like being stroked - yet! When it start purring gently finger stroke under the chin & neck, if it's still purring stroke head & slowly work onto its body - watch its tail, if its wagging its unhappy.

[carmalee]

give the cat a bit of time to settle in - it maybe never will want to be fussed too much but she clearly enjoys being close to you so just accept that - some cats have a very short time span when they enjoy physical contact so maybe for a while just limit the stroking to one or two strokes then leave her - if you always carry on until she ends it by biting neither of you will get much benefit. Humans tend to think all cats like to be stroked but there are definitely some that don't - I visit a friend with they most loving tabby cat, all purrs, rubs, cuddles etc then quite suddenly he will bite. It's a question of reading the signs and finishing before that point is reached. It's very early days for your cat and she needs time to feel secure in her new home - accept what she offers when she sits on your lap and perhaps sometimes you end the session by getting up rather than let her decide. a lot's happened to her so give her time and good luck.

[stonekicker]

my cat (now about 10 years old) was a foundling - i came across her on my 24th birthday actually, living rough, skinny and covered in ticks. she was desperate for love and i took her in and she is a strange little thing. it has taken until recently to purr properly, she does not know how to play (she just 'kills' things - including you if you get too close!) and gets very funny about how you hold your hands and feet around her. she was obviously mistreated before she 'escaped' and i found her and she has very few social skills. but with love, patience and space she is a part of our family - just on her erms. good luck, persevere and be patient with her x

[bld767]

Just perservere with her and I'm sure that she'll be rewarding in the long run. It took our little black cat ages to want a fuss from us, and it's still very much on her terms. She came with the house that we moved into nearly six years ago - the previous owners had gone to live in Spain, and were afraid of losing her out there (I did point out that we were moving in there with 3 dogs and a cat, so she might leave home very soon in any case!) Both my OH and I have been bitten by her but gradually she will now come and sit on our knees and have a fuss made of her, but she doesn't stay long. I'd try to make sure that she didn't have contact with your grandchildren at present and let her get used to you first. I hope that she settles well with you, best of luck.

[Riss]

Do what I do when I have question like this,ask the vet.I phone them up and ask to speak to the vet or the nurse.They are very helpful.As for your bite,yes go to the docs, or if you have one of those minor injury casualty type places,go there.But as the other said,please be patient.

[jules77]

You definitely need to pop along to the Doctors for antibiotics. I had a minor cat bite some years ago, from my own cat whilst at the vets. The vet was more concerned about my hand than he was the cat and the next day my hand was swollen like a balloon. I was in so much pain my OH rushed me to A & E, and it took three days for the antibiotics to get into my system and take down the swelling.

[mccfluff]

i'm suffering from cat bite infection at the mo, had to go up the hosp and get antibiotics. murphy's a little git and occasionly she just goes for me but i love anyway :-)

[Nosha123]

Hi Jem

I am sure you will find many cat lovers here happy to give you advice... I agree with all the other posts... and perhaps it may be wise to shut the cat in a bedroom or somewhere with a litter tray when the grandkids come round - she is very scared.. and still very new... its amazing the progress she has made in just 5 days to have her on your lap!! We never had rescue cats - but you will find they all differ.. one of ours loves their tummy tickled.. another would even let me hoover her fur with the nozzle, yet another wouldnt even let you pick her up! You have to let her settle - and the more you get to know each other the more you will learn to speak 'cat' and see the signals she is about to lash out!
(Hint: watch out for flattening of her ears.. or thrashing of a tail! Always a sure sign they are a bit pee'd off!)
Give her a chance - and she will reward you!

[wolf63]

When I first got my two thugs the little boy (Frankie) was, and still is, sweet natured. His sister (Princess Merlin) was, and still is, a short tempered little madam.

Like you I got some bad bites in the first week. Now we have a truce - I know when she is about to strike and I move away. 95% of the time she is great. Grooming her long hair is 'fun'.

Susan

[Jemisa]

Thank you, all of you for your comments. We are getting used to Ella but I am v/wary of her its me now that has got to learn to trust her. Our other cat Ginn who at 20 years old died last year had never bitten in all her life so I'm finding this one 'different'
Shes a lovely cat and we are fond of her and yes we've got to give her more time after all we don't really know what she's been through in her short like.
Thanks again.

Jem.