Cat Bite or Scratch? 3 Things You Must Do — Gangnam Standard Orthopedic Clinic

When a cat bites you or scratches you with its claws,

which type of clinic should you visit?

Gangnam Station Orthopedic Clinic — Gangnam Standard Orthopedic Clinic

Gangnam Standard Orthopedic Clinic — Gangnam Station Exit 5

I got scratched by my cat's claws while giving it a bath, and what looked like a minor wound nearly turned into something serious…

My wrist and fingers stopped moving properly, so I came in thinking I might have torn a tendon — but it turned out to be a bacterial infection.

I had visited before for a toe injury and received great care, and this time the doctor examined me thoroughly as well.

Thanks to attentive treatment, I am recovering well!

The nurses here are all very kind too!

3 Things You Must Do After a Cat Bite or Scratch

1. Rinse the wound thoroughly under clean running water.

2. Do NOT cover the wound with a bandage or wrap.

3. Visit a clinic even if the animal has been fully vaccinated.

If a cat bites you or scratches you with its claws, start by rinsing the area under clean running water.

An animal's teeth and claws harbor bacteria and microorganisms that are not visible to the naked eye. Rinsing under running water helps reduce the risk of infection.

Leaving the wound uncovered allows fluid and bacteria to drain outward from the wound site.

Even if the animal has been fully vaccinated, bacteria and microorganisms can enter through the skin, worsen the wound, and trigger a secondary infection. It is important to visit a clinic promptly.

When the patient first came in, the scratch from the cat's claw appeared to be a minor wound, but significant swelling had developed over the following day, and the range of motion in the wrist and fingers had become restricted.

Fortunately, our examination confirmed there was no ligament or vascular damage caused by the cat's claw, which was a relief for both the patient and our team.

The swelling and restricted range of motion in the wrist joint were caused by bacterial infection, making normal flexion and extension of the wrist and fingers difficult.

Because the left wrist was uncomfortable for daily activities, the wrist was splinted for a period to protect the wrist and fingers from instability during recovery.

Gangnam Standard Orthopedic Clinic — 4-minute walk from Gangnam Station Exit 5

Address:

205, 2nd Floor, 180 Saimdang-ro, Seocho-gu, Seoul

Parking:

Bowon Building 1F Parking Lot, 180 Saimdang-ro, Seocho-gu, Seoul

※ Gangnam Standard Orthopedic Clinic is an officially registered medical facility able to provide care for international patients.

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