That was a fun visit to the doctor.

[Are_grits_groceries]

She was alarmed at my thumb or maybe it was me.
It was red and all swole up.
I got a shot in my butt and some big honking pills to take.

The cat who bit me is the one who has become deaf. She has not been a biter, but I think she is getting very crotchety in her old age. She took great offense at the way I was petting her. I think she is a vampire cat now.

Can cats get dementia? I am wondering if that explains her mood.
Of course, she is a cat so no explanations are really required. They morph as they wish.

Thanks for all the advice and thoughts.
(She's sitting beside me now. She glances at me at times and seems to be accessing if I am worth another try at using my fingers as a snack.)

[peacebird]

1. (self edit, while this is true, it is not helpful to you... Sorry)

[Panasonic]

17. Sorry about your cat.

Hope his last days was quiet for him...

[The Wielding Truth]

2. She may have a spot that hurts and you inadvertently touched it.

[mrs_p]

3. Honestly, you are lucky they didn't put you on IVs

A number of my colleagues have had to do that after a cat bite. Heal well!

And, yes, cats can change over time and get dementia.

[SoCalDem]

4. Watch that wound CAREFULLY

My husband and I were "torn up" when our visually impaired house-cat got out.. We had to go to the doctor every day for a week to have the wounds soaked & tended to..

I still have scars..

pics are here, in case you want to see the swelling that happened

[siligut]

6. Oh my, you guys must have had to wrangle that cat something fierce.

Glad you had good care, you might have lost a digit from the looks of the depth and swelling on your hand.

[RebelOne]

10. That is why I prefer dogs,

though my Chihuahua will do a number on someone. She took a good chunk out of my son's hand. But that is the way of Chihuahuas. If they do not like you, watch out.

[malaise]

12. Those are some serious scratches

Wow!

[postulater]

13. You sued that cat for damages, right?

[VOX]

14. Housecat or Puma?

Wow. Worst case of feline misplaced aggression I've ever seen. But we still love the little buggers, though.

[SoCalDem]

16. He's almost blind, and it was the ONLY time he was ever outside

We knew that if he climbed the fence he would be gone forever, so we grabbed him and held on for dear life..He was just so scared he lashed out..

[Greybnk48]

5. Take care! Cat bites can be nasty!

I'm sure you've heard this a thousand times today, but just sayin'.

[peace13]

7. If the cat hasn't been to the vet lately it might be worth the trip.

Especially if you have other animals.

[kestrel91316]

8. Did they give you an injection of that nightmarishly painful clear antibiotic?

Or did you luck out and just get the penicillinish stuff that barely hurts?

Yes, cats can get senile and confused. She might also have arthritis. But a lot of cats are just cranks. My current office mascot is one, though she pulls her punches.

[Are_grits_groceries]

20. It didn't hurt at all.

my thumb is more swollen this am, but the doctor said it might be.

[tinymontgomery]

9. Our 20 year old cat has taken

to sleeping in weird places that she never did before. Now we find her sleeping in her litter box as long as it's clean.

[malaise]

11. I'm glad you went to the doctor

[VOX]

15. Actually, cats can get dementia; their nervous system is very similar to a human being...

Their neurochemistry is very close to human, which is why (unfortunately) they are often used as lab animals, more so than dogs.

Like humans, cats can become senile or develop dementia -- especially if there's an additional impairment, such as deafness, etc. It may be causing a kind of displaced aggression... try approaching her in as visual a manner as possible (I know, difficult if she's sleeping). Hang in there!

[eShirl]

18. so glad you got it looked at right away

(original thread for anyone who missed it: http://www.democraticunderground.com/10021093349 )

[Lone_Star_Dem]

19. I'm glad you're alright!

I admit it, I was concerned. I've been treated before for animal bites. I know they're serious business due to the depth, and possibility of trapped bacteria and pathogens.

As to if cats can get dementia, I have an 18 year old kitty who recently started going into my daughters room and meowing for her constantly. Thing is, my daughter hasn't lived here in 7 years. She used to do this the first few months she was gone, but then she adjusted and stopped. It's as if she's forgotten, or is off in a land of her own now. She also has taken to laying directly on top of her (former) best kitty pal. I mean she positions herself to where she's on top of his head and upper body in bed at night. Needless to say, he's not to fond of this new tactic of hers. She also hisses at people who come over whom she used to like. Dementia? I don't know, but she's definitely different.

Take care of your kitty bite. I hope it's all better soon.