Mom almost dies after being scratched by a stray cat

A mother nearly died after developing a toxic shock when she was scraped by a stray cat.

Moira Brady, 45, has developed a fatal MRSA and Streptococcus A, which can cause serious bacterial infections, after being scratched by a cat in her garden.

As a result, Moira lost a finger with her left hand and said that Calvary had "ruined" her life – but the doctors told her that she was lucky to be alive.

The surgeon who operated said that if Moira had not asked for help when she did, a week after being scraped, it was likely that the infection would have killed her .

Moira, who has two daughters, spent a month at the Royal Glasgow Infirmary where she had to undergo two skin grafts on her arm and will require further surgery.

She said that she had been scratched by a cat, possibly wild, who was fighting with another cat on a trampoline in her garden.

While she was trying to spread them, the animal went wild and scratched her.

Moira did not think at all of the scratches at the time, but it had punctured her skin and a few days later, her hand had swelled and one of her fingers had turned blue. .

She told The Evening Times, "They asked me if I had been around animals. The doctors had to remove half of my finger, then the rest.

"The infection has gone through my body. They said that I could have died or lost all my hand.

"The surgeon stayed five-and-a-half hours after his shift to save my life and I had to have a blood transfusion. He told me that I was very lucky.

"The number of people I talked to who could not believe it had happened after having a cat scratch.

'It's my ruined life. I can not do everyday things like taking food in the oven. "

Dr. Emilia Crighton, Public Health Consultant and Head of the NHSGGC's Health Services Section, said: "If it's only a scratch, clean the area and do not consult a doctor only if she is infected.

"If it's a real bite and the skin has been torn, I would advise people to see a doctor because the area may be infected.

"Your own GP or local pharmacy would be the first easy point of contact to reach."