got scratched by my cat...

[mckindle]

So the other day I saw my kitten had flees and I wanted to give him a bath but sense it was his first bath he freaked and clawed up my chest and back. I wash his paws before he did that. But I have red swollen scratch marks and I was wondering could the cat liter from his claws get in me and hurt me or my baby?

[KamilaLara]

No it wont but I would be more worried about bordella also known as 'cat scratch fever' which is a virus that they can give u. Its not dangerous to you but unkown if it affects a fetus and can be deadly to children under 5. I am a certified vet tech and also have a cat and i am 15wks preggers with my second. I wouldnt worry unless you start to run a fever or feel sick. The 'kitty litter' virus is actually a parasite/bacterium that can grow in feces of cats and you have to come in contact with the feces and the feces has to be older than 24hours.

[mckindle]

Wow thank you so much. I had no idea of any of that

[KamilaLara]

Your very welcome :-)

[having_twins]

Please do not freak out over this, I worked as the head of the cat care department of a large animal rescue for 10 years and at vet hospitals for 6 years. There is not need to worry, keep the scratched area clean. You just need to worry about infection which is with any cut any person gets. Pregnant women can get infections easier then nonpregnant women. Cat scratch fever is not common at all. It is not likely you will have any problems from the scratch but I'm hoping you weren't bathing your kitten in flea shampoo that can be dangerous for you and your kitten.