puncture wound... what to do?

begalli · Jan 12, 2005

I would at least call your child's doctor to see what they have to say.

Has your cat had all it's shots?

letina · Jan 12, 2005

my 3 year was tourturing the cat today. i didn't catch it until it was too late. she came out of her room screaming that the kitty hurt her arm... she has a deep puncture wound from a tooth on her arm.
i separated them from each other and took her and rinsed the arm with running water. then i rinsed it with antiseptic rinse (the band aid ouchless brand) and then applied some neosporin and bandaid.
the area around the wound is puffy. it seems pretty deep. it's not longer bleeding / draining and it has a small scab, but i am worried about it. she won't let me touch it (i have to fight with her to let me look at it) but she is using the arm to play with.
i feel so bad. the cat is declawed... i'm pretty sure he was just defending himself, seeing as how he came out of her bedroom meakly a few minutes later with a belt around his neck (i know, i am totally horrified). my daughter has had some serious time out today... i think we're going to end up getting rid of the cat.
should i worry about her arm and take her to the doctor? or just watch it and see if it starts to look better?

If I were you, I'd be at the ER. She should be getting a tetorifice shot and get seen by the Doc. Hope she's OK :)

Burnt Out, ASN, RN · Jan 12, 2005

I would call her ped or take her to the ER-she may need oral antibiotics. I hope she is up to date on her immunizations-if not, she may need a tetorifice shot.

jeepgirl, LPN, NP · Jan 12, 2005

she's up to date on her shots and so is the kitty (not that i'm sure it would matter?)

I put a call in to her pediatrician. I'm not sure that it is a rush to the hospital tonight thing... but I'm gonna try to get her in tomorrow if possible.

Just didn't want to be one of these parents that drag their kid in for something silly... I'm always afraid that I am overreacting to stuff! Thanks everybody!

Thanks!

purplemania, BSN, RN · Jan 13, 2005

watch for viral symptoms as there is such a thing as cat scratcg fever (and the cat does not have to scratch you)

jaimealmostRN · Jan 13, 2005

A BELT AROUND THE CAT'S NECK??????????????????? I didn't even read the rest of the post. Get that cat into a home without young kids, STAT! No poor creature deserves that (and no I don't care if it's a "cute kid").

nicolel1182 · Jan 13, 2005

A BELT AROUND THE CAT'S NECK??????????????????? I didn't even read the rest of the post. Get that cat into a home without young kids, STAT! No poor creature deserves that (and no I don't care if it's a "cute kid").

i dont agree with that...i think your child needs to learn how to play nicely with animals...and getting rid of it wont help that...shes not being mean intentionally...she just needs to learn whats right and whats wrong...:chair:

coocooclown · Jan 13, 2005

i dont agree with that...i think your child needs to learn how to play nicely with animals...and getting rid of it wont help that...shes not being mean intentionally...she just needs to learn whats right and whats wrong...:chair:

Yes I agree with that. Very well said. I would also monitor my child to see if this is a continuous thing (in later years).

Fun2, BSN, RN · Jan 13, 2005

A BELT AROUND THE CAT'S NECK??????????????????? I didn't even read the rest of the post. Get that cat into a home without young kids, STAT! No poor creature deserves that (and no I don't care if it's a "cute kid").

The poster is worried about her child, let's not make this an animal rights debate. Good grief.

BTW, jeepgirl, I hope your daughter is better soon. :)

jeepgirl, LPN, NP · Jan 13, 2005

alright... she thought that she was putting the kitty on a leash. anyway... like i said, I FEEL HORRIBLE. she's three years old, people.

Thanks for rubbing that one in. I really needed it.

Anyway... went to urgent care, got some antibiotics.

jeepgirl, LPN, NP · Jan 13, 2005

oh, and by the way i never did say that it was "okay" because she was a cute kid. if you read my original post, i was concerned about both my child and my cat.

i really don't think that she was trying to hurt the cat. she told me that she thought that she could put a "leash" on the kitty. so, what she used was a knit belt off capri pants that were in her room. needless to say, the belt has been taken away and kitty has been put in momma's room for the rest of the night.

most kids don't have the thinking abilities at three years old to think through their actions such as... if i put this around kitty's neck then it might hurt him. lesson learned: cats and kids can't be out of sight. but, we're thinking kitty might end up going to live with grandma (as said in previous post).