Cat bites are not as common as dog bites, but they can occur and cause considerable pain and injury. Learn about the actions that you should take if a cat owned by someone else bites you and the wound becomes infected or painful.

Actions to Take If You Are Bitten by a Cat

Cats do not bite people as often as dogs do, but they do still bite at times. If you are visiting someone and their cat bites you, it is important to seek medical care. If your injuries are serious and you incur lost wages and medical expenses, injury lawyers may be able to protect your rights.

Get Medical Treatment

Prompt medical care after a cat bite can help to prevent you from developing a serious infection. Cats carry bacteria, viruses and parasites that are known to cause human illness. Even if the cat looks healthy, it could cause you to become ill. Wash the wound and apply a topical antibiotic cream. If you are bleeding, visit the emergency room. If you develop a fever, swelling, itchiness or redness of the area, go to the emergency room right away.

Determine the Cat’s Health Status

The treatments you receive for the cat bite may depend on the cat’s health and vaccination status. If possible, get copies of the cat’s vaccination records and other veterinary records from its owner. If the owner will not give them to you or has not taken the cat in for veterinary care, you may need more extensive treatments in order to protect your health.

Seek Legal Counsel

Refusal of the cat’s owner to provide you with necessary veterinary records or to cover your medical bills could result in considerable pain, lost wages and other financial losses. In this case, it is a good idea to seek legal counsel. Pet owners are responsible for the actions of their pets, and the owner could be held liable. A lawyer can listen to your situation and let you know if you have grounds for a lawsuit.