Visit To The Doctor

June 20th, 2008 - Chris Marshall

Just back from a quick visit to the doctor. I needed a tetanus booster injection having been bitten by a stray cat earlier today (picture below).

Apparently there is a really friendly black cat that looks like Moreno that hangs around La Plaza and La Bahia.

Anyway it is due to be caught and sent to the Casa de los Gatos so when we were in the marina earlier today it was suggested that I catch it. Now I should have worn gloves I know but I was told it was really friendly and had been picked up before, and I did stroke it and it seemed happy, but as soon as I picked it up the little sod sunk its teeth right into me!!!

Yes it did hurt, in fact it still does!!! Thanks to Debbie (La Bahia) and Heather (La Plaza) for the first aid!!

Anyway the doctor was shut and I couldn’t be bothered with the hospital as it wasn’t really that much of an issue, but I did want to get a tetanus booster injection. So 5pm on the dot we went to the Doctors surgery. First up we were treated to the site of three somewhat large Spaniards being handed sample bottles and then trooping off one at a time to the toilet (urine only thankfully) and then sitting back in the waiting room proudly holding their pots.

I was asked what I wanted and explained just the injection so I was taken into another room, told to roll my sleeve up and that was it. 20€. No paperwork, no inspection of the wound - she said she was too busy for that, and I was told to keep an eye on the wound and if it looked inflamed on Monday go back for some antibiotics.

All very efficient and fast with no fuss at all.

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This entry was posted on Friday, June 20th, 2008 at 6:32 pm and is filed under Health in Spain. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

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Trackbacks & Pingbacks

Starting Training Again! | AlmerimarLife Says:
June 22nd, 2008 at 7:30 am
[...] am not convinced this is a great idea with my hand the state that it is but I have to get out and start doing some exercise [...]
This Week In Almerimar 080623 | AlmerimarLife Says:
June 23rd, 2008 at 7:01 am
[...] fairly eventful week I guess. Getting bitten by the Stray cat wasn’t exactly a highlight I admit, but it did provide a laugh at the [...]

14 Responses to “Visit To The Doctor”

Sandra Marshall Says:
June 20th, 2008 at 6:39 pm Quote
Oops .. feeling a bit guilty as it was my idea to catch him, but if you will go rushing in! I’m more of the coward type when it comes to strange animals!
Mac Sokulski Says:
June 20th, 2008 at 6:58 pm Quote
Ouch….. that will hurt.
Danny Says:
June 20th, 2008 at 7:14 pm Quote
Ouch… thats pretty much all there is to say! I hope its doesn’t give you anything serious!
Chris Marshall Says:
June 21st, 2008 at 7:30 am Quote
Ouch is right!!!

It is OK except when I try and use my hand for anything, or when I let my hand hang down and swing i.e. when walking. Basically I am OK until I move it - which I guess s a weird definition of OK!!!!

The actual bites are fine, it is the amazing amount of swelling that is causing the pain.
Charmaine Jarvis Says:
June 21st, 2008 at 8:32 am Quote
I feel sorry for the poor cat.I hope you have used some of the charity money to give the cat a tetanus booster
Chris Marshall Says:
June 21st, 2008 at 9:22 am Quote
Very funny!!!!
Chris Marshall Says:
June 21st, 2008 at 4:35 pm Quote
If you are squeamish stop reading!!!

It seems that the ’swelling’ is in fact a build up of puss and fluid. Just had a good (but very painful) squeeze and an unbelievable amount of rubbish came out!!!

The hand is now easier to bend, but still ’swollen’ so imagine I will be having more fun with it over the weekend and if not better on Monday popping back to the doctors.
Chris Marshall Says:
June 21st, 2008 at 9:13 pm Quote
Sat watching Holland v Russia while I ice my (very) swollen hand
Chris Marshall Says:
June 22nd, 2008 at 9:13 am Quote
The hand is still sore and swollen this morning, but I don’t think it is infected! There is a little redness around the actual puncture wounds, but nothing of any significance, and not much comes out when you squeeze them (other than a few oaths from me).

My latest theory is that the teeth have caused some damage to the tendons as the pain seems most along the path of the tendons and when i bend the thumb or forefinger.
Chris Marshall Says:
June 22nd, 2008 at 1:02 pm Quote
Right, sunbathing not a great idea for the hand as the heat has made it swell up even more!!!

Can’t be infected though, so time for some more ice I think.
Chris Marshall Says:
June 23rd, 2008 at 10:00 am Quote
The hand feels a lot better this morning. No infection, although tender around the puncture wounds and very swollen which means it is protecting itself against some damage. Main pain now is the thumb and tendon to the first finger.
Chris Marshall Says:
June 24th, 2008 at 10:17 am Quote
Swelling all but gone. Wounds healing nicely. Still tender around the thumb socket and hard to grip anything but certainly much much better.