Cat tetanus symptoms: what to know

Tetanus affects nerves that control muscles. Symptoms may begin with tightness around the jaw or neck, difficulty opening the mouth, trouble swallowing, or stiffness near the wound. Muscle tightening can spread to the abdomen, back, or other areas and may come in painful spasms.

A cat bite or scratch does not automatically mean tetanus. The relevant concern is a break in the skin that may allow bacteria to enter, together with incomplete or uncertain vaccination protection. Other wound infections can also cause redness, swelling, pain, or discharge.

Treat jaw stiffness, new spasms, or swallowing difficulty after a wound as a medical concern. Keep the person calm, avoid food and drink if swallowing is difficult, and arrange urgent assessment. Take information about the wound and any vaccine records with you.

If there is a recent bite or scratch without symptoms, rinse it with running water and soap and cover it with a clean dressing. Contact a clinician promptly to review the injury and protection; more detail is available in [Tetanus Vaccination](/treatments/preventive-care-and-vaccination/tetanus-vaccination/).

Go to emergency care for difficulty breathing or swallowing, repeated or severe spasms, marked jaw stiffness, fainting, confusion, or rapidly worsening muscle tightness. A wound with spreading redness, pus, fever, or severe pain also needs prompt assessment, even if tetanus is not suspected.

Do not wait for a full set of symptoms. Tetanus prevention and treatment decisions depend on the wound, timing, vaccination history, and examination.

Ask whether your symptoms fit tetanus or another condition, whether you need emergency monitoring, and what wound treatment is required. Mention the injury date, depth, cleaning, last tetanus vaccine, immune conditions, and medicines.