Cat Scratch & Tetanus

[Gmomm]

So I wasn't quick enough last night and my cat scratched my toddler (one year old) in the face. It doesn't seem very deep as there was no blood but today the scratch is pretty red. We have decided to wait on vaccinations (if we vaccinate at all) thought the one I've been on the fence about is Tetanus (wish you could get for little ones without DP) mainly so I don't freak out about stuff like this. Has anyone heard of tetanus from a cat scratch?

Thanks.

[spero]

Personally, I'd worry more about cat scratch fever b/c I know kids who've had it. I've never known anyone who contracted tetanus from a cat scratch, though.

[angie7]

I always treat scratches, etc. right away with peroxide. I wouldn't worry about tetanus but I would start treating the scratch and any more that your LO might get in the future.

[Deborah]

I popped in to Pubmed to see if there were any studies on this. I found 6 items, but they all seem to be from other countries--France, for example. Do the French have more trouble with their cats?

1: Boillat N, Frochaux V.
[Animal bites and infection]
Rev Med Suisse. 2008 Oct 8;4(174):2149-52, 2154-5. Review. French.
PMID: 19009844 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

2: Chaillon A, Besnier JM, Choutet P.
[Pathology of inoculation]
Rev Prat. 2008 Jan 31;58(2):213-21. French. No abstract available.
PMID: 18361288 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

3: Asano K, Suzuki K, Nakamura Y, Asano R, Sakai T.
Risk of acquiring zoonoses by the staff of companion-animal hospitals.
Kansenshogaku Zasshi. 2003 Nov;77(11):944-7.
PMID: 14672006 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

4: Geffray L.
[Infections associated with pets]
Rev Med Interne. 1999 Oct;20(10):888-901. Review. French.
PMID: 10573725 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

5: Fond L, Michel JL, Perrot JL, Montélimard N, Roy M, Seguin P, Cambazard F.
[Bites by domestic animals]
Ann Dermatol Venereol. 1999 Jun-Jul;126(6-7):531-5. French. No abstract
available.
PMID: 10495867 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

6: LEINBACH SP.
THE ROLE OF THE GENERAL PRACTITIONER IN ZOONOSES.
Ind Med Surg. 1964 May;33:322-5. No abstract available.
PMID: 14142881 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Anyway, it doesn't seem to be a concern in the U.S.

[taterbug1999]

I 2nd the peroxide....keep alot of it and keep it handy for your LO's. Pour it on any wound. Great to clean wound for lots of yuckies not just tetanus. That said, we have a kitty that was "our stray" for along time on our porch. This winter she became our house cat but still goes outside a bit. Every once in a while she'll whack us, including ds who has had no tetanus vax. I just make it bleed, clean it and move on....

[luminesce]

Originally Posted by spero

Personally, I'd worry more about cat scratch fever b/c I know kids who've had it.

: I'd worry more about the bacteria on the cat's claws than tetanus.

A little off-topic, but if there is ever a bite, be careful. I'm not a fan of using antibiotics unless you really need them but that is one case I'd probably medicate hopefully needlessly. My mom got bitten by her cat and got an infection in her hand that landed her in the ER and almost in the hospital. The doc told her at the time that the worst bite you can get infection-risk wise (aside from a human bite) is from a cat. I did some research on it and was a little surprised at what I found. I never realized it before but they carry some pretty nasty stuff.

I'd just keep a really close eye on for signs of infection.