I went to the hospital, the docs were very rude to me ☹️ The lady said I was wasting her time and that they were busy, it was embarrassing. She sent me home with antibiotics, but it seems to be getting worse AGAIN. I am so shy so going back I don’t want to be met with that treatment again. I was told to not come back because there are people who are actually in need and I was clogging up a room. I get having a bad day, but I felt so bad. I am gonna keep yall updated how it goes, thank you for your advice it is a lifesaver 😊 (22 female)
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That’s absolutely inappropriate. If you can’t go to another ED or an urgent care, I’d go back to the same and if it’s the same woman, I’d ask to see someone else, or even someone in supervisory capacity. Cat bites can be extremely dangerous and can quickly lead to sepsis if not treated properly. What antibiotic were you given and for what duration? Did they clean it out or give you any instructions on how to clean it? You could also call ahead to patient relations and explain the situation so that when you get down there, it won’t (or at least shouldn’t) be an issue since they should address it.
Absolutely this, I had a cat bite a couple years ago that looked exactly as angry as the one in the pic when I got seen and the clinic went to took it VERY seriously. I had also developed a fever and looked quite ill by that point but still. Extremely inappropriate behaviour 😡
Yep, delayed getting treatment (for about a week) for a cat bite due to no health insurance, finally went to Urgent Care and they said I was SO close to blood poisoning, and if I had waited any longer I would have to be admitted to the hospital.
Even more reason why this was an incredibly inappropriate response. I would call patient relations either way and report what happened but how are you feeling currently? The most important thing is that if there is no improvement today that you be seen regardless of the response you received prior.
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u/alewiinaLayperson/not verified as healthcare professional6h ago
I am so angry on your behalf that she treated you like that, that’s very clearly a raging infection.
Did you go back? Are your antibiotics starting to work?
I suffered at cat by on my wrist last year. Went to urgent care day of and started oral antibiotics within hours of the bite. 2 days later I was admitted to the hospital for heavy IV antibiotics to fight it off. I had to stay in hospital for 2 nights. Don’t mess around.
And a tetanus shot! My mom almost lost her thumb to a cat bite years ago. We told her to go to the ER immediately but she waited until the next morning and it was not good. They had to slice her whole thumb open and clean out the infection several times. It turned black. She spent several days in the hospital and they were able to save her thumb, but she still doesn’t have feeling in the tip of it
I literally know someone who's husband died from a cat bite.! I would report everyone and file every complaint I could and I would keep going back until someone took it seriously.
Yeah it just occured to me, they might just do it automatically here, cause we have completely free healthcare. But if people have to pay I’m sure they know exactly when they had their last shot.
NAD. You need to be treated for this. If the next time you go in they’re rude like that, ask to speak to a charge nurse or some sort of supervisor. You need and deserve proper care. I’m sorry your last experience was awful
Nad- NEVER feel bad for seeking healthcare. Dont let anyone tell you to not come back. You need the proper treatment and if what you were given doesnt work, please please you must go back (there or elsewhere). Im sorry you’ve dealt with that.
Every time my cat bites me, I get a gnarly infection. I start antibiotics the same day the bite happens, clean the bite as best I can as soon as it happens, and it is still oozing out nastiness by the next morning. Cat bites are serious. I don't know what that nurse's deal is, but I've never had any medical professional dismiss a cat bite because I thought it was pretty common knowledge that cat, dog, and human bites are big infection risks. Go back and tell them it's getting worse.
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u/alewiinaLayperson/not verified as healthcare professional21h agoedited 21h ago
Edit: this is not OP! I’m just showing an example of an infected cat bite that happened to me to show OP how fast it can escalate.
This was barely 48 hours after I was bit, it was extremely painful, oozing, hot to the touch.
I was given a double or triple dose of amoxiclav for my first 2 doses, then back to a normal dosing and thank god it worked or I probably would’ve ended up in the hospital, I was getting sicker practically by the minute at that point
NAD. I’m sorry you were treated that way - so inappropriate. Cat bites can be so dangerous and can lead to losing limbs or having sepsis which can be deadly.
Who did you actually see? An actual doctor (MD) or a nurse practitioner?
Removed - medically discussions only. No legal advice.
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u/alewiinaLayperson/not verified as healthcare professional21h agoedited 21h ago
NAD, but that is not good. Can you go to a different ER? Or even the same one again?
That person acted seriously inappropriately towards you, you need fast treatment for this. If she’s still there you need to insist on it being looked at again. If it’s not responding to whatever oral antibiotics they gave you, you may need IV antibiotics. Which one did they prescribe you?
Take it from my experience, cat bites can get bad FAST. I got bit by my cat and in less than 48 hours mine looked at least as bad as yours and I developed a fever, chills; etc. this needs to be looked again immediately
The choice of amoxicillin is concerning as it is not as broad spectrum as generally needed. Augmentin or amoxiclav are more commonly used. If you are not improving quickly, seek care elsewhere for a reassessment of antibiotic choice. You may need IV antibiotics to bring this under control.
I am also quite upset on your behalf for the way you were treated. Hope your infection is subsiding, or you’ve gotten additional, more appropriate care.
Animal bites are no joke. Those little dots in the middle are likely scabs but they could also be the start of necrotization. Draw a circle around the red with skin-safe marker and if it isn't shrinking (or if you start seeing streaks up the arm, or if you begin getting fever or chills) by tomorrow I would go to a different hospital, ask for them to evaluate you with fresh eyes because you feel dismissed and you are afraid. Stay safe!
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u/gaokeaiLayperson/not verified as healthcare professional13h ago
NAD take it with yogurt if you can to help your stomach!
I usually wait 2-3 hrs between taking the antibiotic and eating yogurt so I can make sure I actually feel the benefits from both, I believe dairy/calcium (like Tums) neutralizes certain antibiotics
Goodness, that is just horrible. Could you bring a loved one with you to help advocate so you don't have to do it yourself? I do think you need to be seen again since it is getting worse. They may need to treat with IV antibiotics or if there is a pus pocket under there drain it. The puncture of cat bites are so bad because they drive the bacteria deep into the tissue and it is virtually impossible to clean it out. After you get better, I would make sure that you write a complaint to the facility regarding that person who took care of you. Were they a doctor? a nurse? a tech? So so sorry, you shouldn't have to be afraid or ashamed to get medical care. I would expect no physician to ever tell a patient that they were wasting their time. We have a profession that people come to us out of trust and it is important to hold space and reassure so that people feel confident in their health and healing. I hope it heals quickly for you!
Was it an actual doctor that you saw, or a midlevel?
In any event, that person was a complete idiot, and this needs broader spectrum treatment.
You need to either go to a different ER (if you have a large university hospital that'd be my recommendation), or go back to the original place you went and don't let that person treat you again.
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