This Smarts

Princess always waits until the very last minute to complete school assignments. Usually, that's her problem, but it occasionally affects me. She has to have a 5x7 portrait of herself by Tuesday. I offered to take one, and she elected to have her picture made with her beloved cat Biscuit. We went outside where the light was better. We should have used a leash, but like everything else, it is nowhere to be found -probably in a box in the basement, just like everything we own.

The picture looks good, although you can tell Biscuit is a little distracted by something. That would be another male cat. It was less than a minute after this was shot that he let loose, screaming and scratching to get at the other cat. Princess was scratched but wouldn't let her cat go. My motherly instincts took over and I grabbed Biscuit away from her. As I ran for the front door, he sunk all four fangs deep in my left arm. At the same time, he shredded my left arm with his front claws and my right arm with his rear claws.

The few seconds it took to get in the door seemed like forever with Princess yelling "Gimme the cat! Give him to me!" As soon as I got inside, I threw Biscuit down and headed to the nearest bathroom. That also seemed to take forever, as Princess cried and tried to grab me out of concern, and Gothgrrl got in the way to see what was happening. I tried to drip on my shirt instead of the floor, but the carpet still got plenty.

As I rinsed the blood off into the sink, I could see the puncture wounds. The blood continued to gush, so I yelled for the girls to bring me a clean dish towel. I wrapped it around me and the bleeding stopped in a few minutes. The bite area was already swollen and sore. Six hours later, it's still a little sore when I hold my arm still, but if I straighten the arm even a little, it really hurts. No signs of septicemia, and the swelling is limited to the original bite area, so I'm not too worried. I can still make it to the polls in the morning!

If, by some chance, I have to go to the emergency room and have my arm amputated, I will take pictures for you.

Comments

[Luke Smith]

And that, right there, is why I have a dog.

[thebrokedown]

Nasty!

Keep an eye out for cat scratch fever. Oh, well, now you're infected with the tune, at least. Sorry.

[Ariane]

as much as I would love aputation shots I'd rather you be ok.

,,,,that way you can type your entries faster thus entertaining us more *wink*

[Brother Bill]

Looks like the other cat was lucky... this time.

[Charlie]

Cat mouths are pretty dirty. Will you head to the doctor/health center/clinic for antibiotics to prevent infection?

[Miss Cellania]

No sign of infection yet. I'll keep an eye on it. No insurance, ya know. The way it spurted blood, I can't see how any germs could remain inside. I put ointment on the outside.

This main difference this morning is that you can see where the bruising is. The pain and the swelling are about the same.

[Mary]

You may need to get rid of that cat! My aunts cat tore her up one day out of the blue, hospital required. Cat is long gone. If you can't trust a pet it's time to put it to sleep.

[kathleen]

Is Biscuit neutered? That usually tames some of the aggressiveness towards other male cats.

[Sheldon]

You should really go to the doctor. This same thing happened to my cousin, and she almost lost her thumb. (The cat bit her on the hand). Maybe there is a free clinic in your area? Take care of yourself! I need your blog!

[Miss Cellania]

I appreciate your concerns, but I think I'll be fine. Except for when I stretch the muscle, it doesn't hurt much anymore. I know the signs of septicemia, and I'm keeping an eye on it. Biscuit is an indoor cat and has been neutered, so this episode was a real anomaly for him. He's been really sweet to me today, although I can't imagine he recalls doing anything wrong.

[Bilal]

it doesn't look to bad yet, again pay attention to it being septic, but in the meanwhile, if you can get your hands on some neosporin plus pain relief that will really help alleviate the pain, and help prevent infection.

There usually is a generic brand on the shelf next to the official neosporin, get the generic. Apply sparringly and monitor, if your swelling doesn't go down in a couple of days, then you will need to see an MD to confirm all is well.

Also if you feel feverish at all, don't hesitate to pop some tylenol. I hope you feel well soon, the paranoia of injuries when you don't have insurance is something I don't wish on the most evil of people. Let alone someone as nice as you :-)

[merl]

OK, what did you think would happen when you grabbed a tomcat that wanted to fight? The last time I did that I was about 12.

[Miss Cellania]

Oh, I knew I'd get hurt, but I wanted to stop him scratching my daughter and not engage the other cat or run off somewhere. He doesn't know the neighborhood yet.

[OmegaMom]

OUCH! But you got a great pic out of it (two great pics!). Take care of yourself, and do watch it and keep us posted!

[The Glamorous Life]

Okay YEAH. BUT look how cute the photo turned out!!!!

Thanks for taking photos for us.

Oh the things we do for our kids. Our cats and our blog. And yes, in that order!

[mrshannibal]

ouch.
i have a 3 month kitty named and she loves to play bite. the bites on my arm are nowhere near as bad as yours..fortunately she doesn't use her claws anymore.

hope you recover quickly.

[Jonco]

"Cat scratch fever"... too funny. Now I'm singing it... and badly too.
Sorry you got in the middle of a cat fight. I think you should try to keep your arms. Blogging with nubs is probably fairly difficult.
Take care!

[JaneM]

You really should get checked out. Cats can transmit Toxoplasmosis (cat scratch fever). It comes from their getting bacteria on their pads/claws when they bury their feces in the litter box. You wash your hands when you go to potty - cats don't. Now that you are grossed out.....go get checked out or, at least, call your Dr for advice. Please?

[ZeroZeds]

We have a cat and my wife was stroking him when he decided he had had enough and clawed her right down the inside of her arm. She lost quite a bit of blood so much so she nearly passed out. A bit of advise. Over here in the UK we have a laundry additive called Vanish. I gathered her jeans which were soaked in blood from the waist to the cuff and stripped off the cushion covers and slammed them all in the washing machine with some Vanish and it got all the blood out as if it had never been. Oh, my wife? she was OK with today no visible scarring AND we still have the cat

[Marshall]

my cat oscar got busy on my arm once when I tried to bring him back inside-- he was hiding under a parked van-- I couldn't move my arm the next morning and almost had to have it amputated. Bad stuff. Hope your arm feels better!