Cat Scratch Fever

I was trying to do a good deed by helping Mike's grandmother trim her cats nails.

I do this all the time with my cats so I offered to help out (Since Mike is too squeamish to hold the cat).

I had Maxx over with me but kept him outside (Which Piewhack was watching intently)

Everything started out just fine. Then suddenly without warning, Piewhack hissed and struggled to get down. I wasn't quick enough to let her go and she not only scratched me but bit me.

Now I am freaking inside because I have been bitten by a cat before. My parents cat and my hand got infected rather quickly.

They say cat bites are worst than dog bites because the when the teeth puncture you they pull out and the wound closes. Within 12 - 24 hours later the bite can be extremely infected where as a dog bite tears so that the wound can be cleaned and become less infected.

So here I am TOTALLY FREAKING on the inside but being very calm and cool on the outside. My mind was racing a mile a minute trying to think ahead that I might just head to the ER (I didn't want to take any chances).

Mike had told me he had some antibiotics left and gave me one, which made me think I had some left over at home from my brother when he fell and smashed his face. So that made me feel a little calmer that I might be able to fight the infection on my own.

I kept an eye on my hand, keeping it elevated to reduce the swelling and help to slow down infection plus I kept cleaning it, putting peroxide, ointment or tea tree oil on it to help me fight the infection. I took another antibiotic as soon as I got home and with some rest felt somewhat better.

Monday at work was a bit difficult because I had to use my hand.
The more I used it or hit it, it became more sore. I have to say I was worried. It definitely didn't feel any better but the infection wasn't spreading, so being the hopeful person I am I decided to wait it out and see.

After work, once I was home again I popped another antibiotic and cleansed my hand again.

You would have thought I would have rested it, but oh no, I went out and cleaned the inside of my car.

Today it feels much better. It's not tender to the touch and much of the warmth from the infection has gone away. The redness and swelling has gone down a great deal also. I am still careful of it, too much pressure still hurts (After all it is a bite)

But I have made it through yet another crisis.

That which does not kill me -- makes me stronger. (I should be invincible by now!)