Echoing the above to say that yes, it is a real thing, and yes, you can get it. Both teeth and claws carry the bacteria; the disease it actually primarily the result of them having such sharp, needle-like pointy bits that the bacteria gets in you, and then the wound heals over with it down in there. And yes, it's especially prevalent in kittens.
Rather than - or in addition to - the Neosporin route, I might suggest a little disinfection with something liquid, say alcohol or an iodine derivative. That way, you're whacking the bacteria down in the site before you seal it off with salve.
Um, and as a future idea, a lot of cats are surprisingly okay with having their nails trimmed. Especially since he's so young, you might have a better shot by introducing him to the concept early. It won't do anything for the biting factor, but it will improve your claw-influenced quality of life hugely. (I say this as a girl with a cat prone to doing that joyful kneading thing when feeling affectionate.) Just make sure you don't snip back to where the blood vessels are, and you can keep them pretty blunt.
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Date: 2008-10-18 04:26 am (UTC)Echoing the above to say that yes, it is a real thing, and yes, you can get it. Both teeth and claws carry the bacteria; the disease it actually primarily the result of them having such sharp, needle-like pointy bits that the bacteria gets in you, and then the wound heals over with it down in there. And yes, it's especially prevalent in kittens.
Rather than - or in addition to - the Neosporin route, I might suggest a little disinfection with something liquid, say alcohol or an iodine derivative. That way, you're whacking the bacteria down in the site before you seal it off with salve.
Um, and as a future idea, a lot of cats are surprisingly okay with having their nails trimmed. Especially since he's so young, you might have a better shot by introducing him to the concept early. It won't do anything for the biting factor, but it will improve your claw-influenced quality of life hugely. (I say this as a girl with a cat prone to doing that joyful kneading thing when feeling affectionate.) Just make sure you don't snip back to where the blood vessels are, and you can keep them pretty blunt.
/multiple cents
Lastly: Whee! Kitty!