Cat Bites

[jaded]

Who knows, I could've been some poor chap stumbling into the ER and end up getting floxed.

It's not for everyone, but. 
It's called "practicing medicine for a reason". Once you remember you're paying a "service provider" who is in reality giving you their "best guess" well then, I get to guess too.
We know our own bodies best, we know in general what parts we have had historical issues with. 

We also know what injuries usually don't affect us too much. The medical system is there if we need it, but it's fine to buck up and not need it for every little thing. 
Just promise you'll remember the "margin thing". 
You bringing proof like that gets you immediate action, important if something is trying to go septic which happens fast.
  ​​​​​​​

[CCoburn]

It's not for everyone, but. 
It's called "practicing medicine for a reason". Once you remember you're paying a "service provider" who is in reality giving you their "best guess" well then, I get to guess too.
We know our own bodies best, we know in general what parts we have had historical issues with. 

We also know what injuries usually don't affect us too much. The medical system is there if we need it, but it's fine to buck up and not need it for every little thing. 
Just promise you'll remember the "margin thing". 
You bringing proof like that gets you immediate action, important if something is trying to go septic which happens fast.
 

I don't think the quality of care by any given medical provider is exactly uniform either. People say "Go see a doctor.", but unfortunately not all doctors are created equal.

Cat bites must be uniquely dangerous I'm guessing. I watch a lot of docs about animal attacks with more numerous and severe bites, but oddly enough I don't recall anything about infection being mentioned, unless it's just in passing, pales in comparison, considered trivial, and just not worth the mention as opposed to the other more severe injuries.

I do know that monitor lizards have some very infectious bites, and of course there are all those venomous critters out there, but for non-venomous it seems like cats are right at the top of the hierarchy. Of course having been bitten by cats numerous times I'm also actively seeking out information relating to that particular scenario on occasion.

[jaded]

Yep, reptile bites or even scratches, yrs ago my Mom got scratched by the same cat I did. Her arm went septic immediately, I was fine. She was in the hospital for a week before it was determined her arm could be saved. This is why I'm "margin girl". 

Agreed all Doc's are very different. In their defence they can't possibly read all the new journal's, keep up with everything, or remember what kind of patient you usually are. 
(hypochondriac or only there 3 min before you code cause you're Doc-Phobic) As patients we really do have to work with them. 

Once upon a time I landed in the ER an then spent 24 hrs NOT letting them remove my appendix. Had all the classic symptoms, problem was I know my achilles heel is my gastro system. Cause I was young they never looked at anything else. Fought them off till my gastro Doc could see me an sure enough infected colon. 

A month or so ago was possitive I just needed a inhaler an a z-pak. Drove to ER, pul-sox was 67% no fever. Scared the crap outta them. I was wrong, not allergies, walking pneumonia. My bad. Guess what they gave me? ROFL!!! altho I got the bonus IV antibiotic as a head start. 

Being familiar with common stuff like you're doing will only help you. 
BTW cats always get a bad rap...it's sad.

[Oldcarpy2]

My cats have always loved to have a Tummy Rub, but then they start manically licky you which means "I'm loving this but, no offence, In a minute I am going to bite and scratch you to bits."

Our Cat Carl was a rescue cat from the RSPCA. Turned out he was feral. I have many scars. Should have known when the RSPCA girl brought him to us in his pet carrier with oven gloves and magazines taped round her arms.

He's fine now. He's on my lap right now.

[Maxmars]

All domesticated animals that are human companions must deal with a singular problem dealing with their human cohabitants.

Generally speaking, humans cannot be said to be capable of effectively 'guessing' exactly what the animal is thinking, or feeling.  Sure there are cues, and there are patterns that humans could recognize... but despite that, humans often "don't pay attention" or "gloss over" such cues... it comes with some who see pets as 'amusing objects,' 'pets with a purpose,' and sadly 'entertainment fodder.'

I think cats, dogs, and even horses and others bite for too many reasons to simply attribute to a single cause.  And when they do bite, it isn't always reasonable to assume that it's specifically because of anger, passionate play, fear or anxiety, or even a bad mood.  We just can't know for certain unless we actually read their mind (hell, many people can't reliably muster any true knowledge about why they themselves do some of the things they do.)

The problem isn't that cats sometimes bite, I think.  The problem is that we don't ever seem to "see it coming," and thus we automatically consider ourselves 'victims' of the bite.

That 'victim' attitude is what precipitates all manner of bad things, from hitting an animal that truly doesn't understand, to having it "put down" because we're too prideful to consider changing "our" behavior, or investing in the work it takes to be an animals companion.  I often see young families where the child is actually afraid of interacting with the "pet" because of this weird persistent attitude of human "mastery" manifested toward the animal.  It's kind of sad.

Some pets (and especially cats) cannot be "mastered," and will not naturally accept a "master-subject" relationship.  But many people will "insist" on that relationship, considering any deviation from it as "bad;" then projecting the sentiment that the animal itself is "bad."  Weak sauce.

[CCoburn]

Some pets (and especially cats) cannot be "mastered," and will not naturally accept a "master-subject" relationship.

Their personalities vary, and they can be quite independent solitary animals, more or less. I'm usually pretty good at reading my cat, but this last time he just happened to get me when I was at a bit of a disadvantage.

I never try to assert any "master" type role. As a matter of fact I often refer to the large unneutered male as the alpha male(including myself) or "The Boss", and in reality I'm only half joking about that.