Cat Bite Treatment Guidelines Handout

As a healthcare professional, you should advise patients to clean the wound thoroughly with soap and water, apply an antibiotic ointment, and cover it with a clean bandage. Emphasize the importance of seeking medical attention as soon as possible to reduce the risk of infection.

Instruct patients to watch for signs of infection, such as redness, swelling, warmth, pus, or fever. If these symptoms occur, they should contact their healthcare provider immediately.

Explain to patients that while both types of bites can be serious, cat bites are more likely to cause infections due to the deep puncture wounds they create, which can trap bacteria.