Clawed by a cat-bruising-is this normal?

[wibblyjelly]

I got clawed by a cat today in the street. Totally my fault, he came up to me and allowed me to stroke him. He then rolled onto his back, so I thought he wanted me to rub his belly. He obviously didn't, as that's when he clawed my arm!
My question is that where he clawed me is now bruised. Is this normal? TIA

[Frenchfemme]

It's happened to me several times, particularly on the underside of my arm when I've fallen for one of the FrenchChats' tricks! As long as it's clean and not looking infected it should be fine.

[cozietoesie]

It depends, wibbly - eg on the strength of the attack and on the 'lastingness' of the bruise. Did he bring up his back legs and thump you?

[wibblyjelly]

No, he was lying on his back, and got me with his front claws. It was for a split second. Do I need to get I looked at?

[cozietoesie]

I wouldn't worry about the 'cat attack' at all. As Frenchfemme said, if the site is clean and not red (by tomorrow - give your immune system some time to do its thing) then forget about the cat. I'd keep a weather eye on any other bruises you get though.

[Lonecatwithkitten]

Bruising is very common - I get scratched around twice a week. A side effect of being the cat wrangler in the practice. If it starts to throb and be achy get to the doctors a talk about cat scratch disease also known as bartonellosis. Treated early responds to oral antibiotics left even 24 hours it needs I/v antibiotics. I have had it twice the last time only 5 weeks ago hand started to throb, felt heavy and ached or becomes red with a discharge.
In my experience it is the more innocent scratches or bites are the ones that go nasty.
Unfortunately a large number of GPs do not know about bartonellosis.

[wibblyjelly]

Will keep an eye on it lone, thank you

[cozietoesie]

That's very useful, Lone. Is there any indication of which cats might tend to carry it? (ie ferals etc.)

[Lonecatwithkitten]

Haemobartonella felis is an opportunist that creeps in when a cat is otherwise unwell, but we do think healthy cats can be carriers. My last bout was from an FIV positive cat - so I had a pretty good idea I was going to get it. The first bout completely normal healthy cat who came for a vaccination.

[cozietoesie]

Housecats are likely exempt then? (I'm thinking no exposure from fighting scratches etc.)

[Lonecatwithkitten]

No I am afraid even house cats can have it. Maybe chronic carriers from birth.

[cozietoesie]

Okey cokey - so the thing is to watch out when/if you get a scratch?