Adult Cat Bite Treatment (Animal Bite Wound)
Fast MD-only cat bite triage and treatment guidance for adults in Georgia by secure online video visit, $49 flat-fee, no insurance required.
Cat bites can look small but carry a higher risk of infection because puncture wounds can introduce bacteria deep into tissue. TeleDirectMD MDs use a structured assessment to screen for infection, tendon or joint involvement, and rabies or tetanus risk. When appropriate for low-risk situations, we can prescribe antibiotics and give clear instructions on when you must be seen in person.
- $49 flat-fee visit, no hidden costs
- MD-only care, no mid-level providers
- No insurance required or accepted
- Available for adults in Georgia (and 25+ states)
- Secure, encrypted video visits from home
Online Cat Bite Care by Georgia-Licensed MDs
- Infection risk screening and treatment guidance
- Tetanus and rabies risk review
- Antibiotics when appropriate
- Clear red flags for urgent care or ER
For adults only (18+). You must be physically located in Georgia at the time of your video visit. Deep hand bites, rapidly spreading redness, fever, severe pain, or trouble moving fingers require urgent in-person evaluation.
Why Cat Bites Are Higher Risk
Cat bites often create narrow puncture wounds that can seal quickly at the surface while bacteria remain trapped deeper in tissue. This raises the risk of cellulitis, abscess, tendon sheath infection, and joint infection, especially with bites to the hand or near joints.
TeleDirectMD focuses on early identification of high-risk features and clear next steps. Many cat bites require in-person evaluation. When a presentation is low risk and early, prophylactic antibiotics may be appropriate, paired with strict return precautions.
Cat Bite Symptoms and Red Flags
During your visit, the MD will review bite location, depth, timing, swelling, drainage, fever, and your medical history to determine whether telehealth is appropriate or whether you need urgent in-person evaluation.
| Finding | What it suggests | Telehealth appropriate? | Red flag requiring urgent in-person care |
|---|---|---|---|
| Superficial scratch or minor bite on trunk or arm | Lower-risk wound if cleaned promptly | Maybe | Deep puncture, uncontrolled bleeding, or severe pain |
| Bite on hand, fingers, wrist, or near a joint | Higher risk of deep infection | Often no | Same-day in-person evaluation recommended |
| Increasing redness, warmth, swelling | Cellulitis developing | Sometimes, early and mild only | Rapid spread, red streaking, severe pain, or swelling limiting motion |
| Pus, foul drainage, or a tender lump | Abscess | No | Needs in-person exam and possible drainage |
| Fever, chills, feeling very ill | Systemic infection | No | Urgent care or ER evaluation recommended |
| Pain with finger movement, swelling along a tendon | Tendon sheath infection risk | No | Urgent ER evaluation recommended |
| Numbness, weakness, or trouble moving the hand | Nerve or tendon injury, deep infection | No | Urgent evaluation recommended |
| Bite to face or near the eye | Cosmetic and infection risk | No | Same-day urgent evaluation recommended |
| Immunosuppression or uncontrolled diabetes | Higher-risk infection course | Often no | In-person evaluation recommended |
| Unknown cat, wild animal, or rabies exposure concern | Rabies risk assessment needed | No | Urgent evaluation for rabies guidance |
What We Screen For After a Cat Bite
- Cellulitis: spreading redness, warmth, tenderness.
- Abscess: focal pocket of pus that may need drainage.
- Tendon sheath infection: severe pain with finger movement, swelling along a tendon.
- Joint infection: swelling and severe pain at a joint, limited range of motion.
- Cat scratch disease: swollen lymph nodes after a scratch or bite, requires a different evaluation.
- Rabies and tetanus risk: based on animal behavior, vaccination status, and wound type.
When a Video Visit Is Appropriate vs. When to Go In-Person
When a Video Visit Is Appropriate
- Adult 18+ with a superficial wound and no functional impairment
- No bite to hand, fingers, wrist, face, or near a joint
- No fever, chills, or rapidly spreading redness
- No pus, severe swelling, or severe pain with movement
- Cat is known and rabies risk appears low
- Physically located in Georgia at the time of the video visit
Red Flags Requiring In-Person or ER Care
- Bite on the hand, fingers, wrist, face, or near a joint
- Rapidly spreading redness, red streaking, severe swelling, or severe pain
- Pus, abscess, or a wound that needs drainage
- Fever, chills, vomiting, or feeling very ill
- Severe pain with finger movement or inability to move the hand normally
- Unknown cat, wild animal, or concern for rabies exposure
Treatment Options for Adult Cat Bites
Early wound care is critical. Many cat bites need in-person evaluation because of deep infection risk, especially on the hand. When a situation is low risk and early, prophylactic antibiotics may be appropriate. If infection is already developing, antibiotics are often needed, and in-person care may be required if an abscess or deeper infection is suspected.
Immediate Home Care
- Wash the wound with soap and running water for several minutes.
- Apply a clean dressing, keep the area elevated when possible.
- Do not close puncture wounds with glue or tight bandages.
- Take acetaminophen or ibuprofen for pain if safe for you.
Antibiotics
Cat bites carry higher infection risk, so antibiotics are often used, especially for puncture wounds, bites on the hand, or bites in higher-risk patients. The MD will assess whether antibiotics are appropriate by telehealth or whether you need urgent in-person evaluation.
| Medication | Dose | Duration | When used |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amoxicillin and clavulanate | 875 mg/125 mg by mouth 2 times daily | 3 to 5 days | Prophylaxis for selected low-risk bites when appropriate |
| Amoxicillin and clavulanate | 875 mg/125 mg by mouth 2 times daily | 5 to 7 days | Early mild infection when appropriate and no red flags |
| Doxycycline | 100 mg by mouth 2 times daily | 5 to 7 days | Penicillin allergy option in selected adults when appropriate |
| Metronidazole | 500 mg by mouth 2 times daily | 5 to 7 days | Added in selected scenarios for broader anaerobic coverage when appropriate |
| Tetanus vaccine | Per standard immunization schedule | One time | May be needed in person if not up to date |
TeleDirectMD does not prescribe controlled substances. Cat bites to the hand, deep puncture wounds, rapidly spreading infection, fever, severe pain with movement, or concern for rabies require in-person evaluation.
Home Care, Recovery, and Return to Work
Many infections from cat bites can progress quickly. Monitor closely, especially over the first 24 to 48 hours. If you were prescribed antibiotics, start them promptly and follow the full plan.
- Check the wound 2 times daily for increasing redness, swelling, warmth, drainage, or worsening pain.
- Keep the area elevated and avoid heavy use of the affected hand or limb.
- Seek urgent evaluation if redness spreads, you develop fever, or you have pain with finger movement.
Many adults can work as tolerated if they feel well and the wound is covered. TeleDirectMD can provide a brief work note when medically appropriate as part of your $49 visit.
What to Expect From Your TeleDirectMD Visit
TeleDirectMD provides adult-only, MD-only virtual urgent care by secure video. Visits last about 10 to 15 minutes and cost $49 as a flat cash fee with no insurance involvement. During your cat bite visit, the MD will review bite location, timing, wound appearance, symptoms, immunization status, and red flags.
If your presentation is appropriate for telehealth, we can send an electronic prescription to your preferred local pharmacy in Georgia when appropriate. If you need in-person evaluation for wound irrigation, imaging, tetanus, rabies guidance, or concern for deep infection, we will explain why and guide you on the safest next step.
We do not prescribe controlled substances.
Cat Bite Treatment FAQ
Do cat bites usually need antibiotics?
Often, yes. Cat bites have a higher infection risk because puncture wounds can introduce bacteria deep into tissue. The MD will assess risk based on location, depth, timing, and your medical history.
Is a cat bite to the hand more serious?
Yes. Hand bites are higher risk for deep infection involving tendons and joints and often require same-day in-person evaluation.
How soon can a cat bite get infected?
Infection can develop quickly, sometimes within 12 to 24 hours. Worsening redness, swelling, warmth, drainage, or increasing pain should be evaluated urgently.
What should I do right away after a cat bite?
Wash the wound thoroughly with soap and running water for several minutes, apply a clean dressing, keep the area elevated, and seek medical guidance if the bite is deep, on the hand, or if you develop any signs of infection.
Do I need a tetanus shot?
Possibly. If you are not up to date on tetanus vaccination, you may need a booster. This is usually done in person.
Do I need rabies shots?
Most bites from a known, healthy, vaccinated house cat are low risk, but rabies decisions depend on local guidance, animal behavior, and whether the animal can be observed. If rabies risk is possible, urgent in-person evaluation is recommended.
Can you treat a cat bite completely online?
Telehealth can help with triage, wound guidance, and antibiotics for selected low-risk situations. Many cat bites, especially to the hand or deep punctures, need in-person evaluation.
What symptoms mean I should go to the ER?
Fever, rapidly spreading redness, red streaking, severe swelling, pus, severe pain with finger movement, numbness, weakness, or inability to move the hand normally require urgent evaluation.
Can you provide a work note for a cat bite visit?
TeleDirectMD can provide a brief work note when medically appropriate as part of the $49 visit.
Which states do you serve for online cat bite care?
TeleDirectMD currently serves adults located in Georgia and in more than 25 additional states. During booking, you will confirm that you are physically located in a licensed state at the time of your visit.