Q: Our pet cat has scratched my father (age 61 years) with its nails and it caused an injury where blood had come out a bit. He did not take the tetanus toxoid (TT) injection within 24 hours. Now is it dangerous? What should he do now?Please advise me on this. He is a diabetic patient. There is no swelling, but will that happen? Does he need to take any preventive measures? The cat has not bitten him but it scratched him.

A:There is no need to worry. He should keep up with his TT anyway but it doesn't have to be done immediately after a scratch such as this. Clean and cover the scratches until they heal. If they become red swollen or very painful, antibiotics may be needed.