What Might the Emergency Room Charge for an Animal Bite Wound?
Question by Nikki: what might the emergency room charge for an animal bite wound?
SO. While I was trying to give my cat a bath, she turned around and chomped down on my index finger, between the knuckle and top joint, not landing on a joint though. She left three puncture wounds. The wounds bled for at least a minute or two, i had the shower head, kinda warm water, running on the wounds until it stopped bleeding. Then I poured alcohol on to it and let that sit then cleaned it. I did not bandage it at this time because I still had two cats to bathe.
After bathing my two cats I cleaned my wounds with hot/warm water and dial soap. Then used alcohol and some antibiotic ointment (which later i looked up and learned that bacteria can grow in it…), I used gauze and cut off some self adhesive ace bandage wrap and wrapped my finger.
Since Thursday, mid-day, I’ve had my finger wrapped and have changed it out a few times a day, washing each time and using alcohol, that’s all I have at the moment.
Two wounds have a smooth covering, one is a little open. One wound is under the finger, one on the outer side towards thumb, and other is on the top (this is the one that isn’t smoothly covered.) My finger is swollen, though the swelling has slightly come down throughout my day today. It does not hurt, does not throb, and isn’t warm. Just swollen and hard to move my finger from how swollen it is.
This morning I noticed the puncture on the side of my index finger had a yellowish look over the top of it, my pharmacist said it’s infected ? ;~; she’s a little dramatic at times though… She was basically yelling at me to leave work and go to the ER (Today is saturday, it happened mid-day thursday).
WELL, after work I did go to the ER but it was PACKED and all the times I’ve gone there before I’ve always ended up being stuck there for at least 4 hours, I had just worked all day and did not want to be there till 4am, from the looks I felt I would be there till 4am. :( SO I left.. Came home.. Starlized a needle, washed both hands and splashed a little alcohol on them, cleaned my index finger, and used the needle to pull away the skin on the yellowy looking one. Pus came out, i did not squeeze, just slightly pressed on one side. then i ran hot water, washed with dial soap, used alcohol, and bandaged.
I plan to go to the emergency room in the morning, though… I do not have insurance. I’m afraid of the bill I may face and am Wondering what they may want to do at the emergency room if I go and how much I could be facing as a bill. I’m also afraid that I will not be able to afford the antibiotics if they prescribe me any…
do you guys think i can take care of it myself and be fine?
or that i seriously need to go?
how much do you think I could face? / what all do you think they may want to do?
OH & info on the cat.
She’s 2 years old, up to date on rabies, never goes outside, doesn’t eat human food, very healthy.
During bathing they were not dirty, since neither cats go outside, I was bathing them with flea shampoo because *some how* they got fleas.
I do not have much money at the moment… about $ 160 to go for two week, groceries to get, bill to pay… So I won’t be able to pay upfront anywhere. I don’t remember when I had my last Tetanus shot… So I’ll probably end up having to have one of those…
Best answer:
Answer by Master T
You need to get a tetanus shot as soon as possible. Nevermind the hospital emergency room…there are some other places that have in and out medical care that you can use. It might cost $ 50 to $ 100…but tetanus is nothing to mess with.
Do an online search for an urgent care office near you. Or, a “medical clinic”. Many clinics only cater to the poor…but just explain your situation and how you don’t want to spend 5 hours in the ER waiting room.
Answer by wounddo
Unfortunately Master T is not even close. When you go to the Emergency department, you have a facility fee and then the doctors charge plus the charges fro any equipment or technology used. If you do not have insurance, plan ona bill in excess of $ 350.00 at minimum. If you keep the wounds clean and then use a topical antibiotic ointment daily and cover with a nonadherent dressing, you will probably be OK and avoid the ER charge.