Cat bites to the hand are high-risk injuries, especially in diabetic patients, because narrow puncture wounds inoculate bacteria deeply into poorly vascularised structures such as tendon sheaths and joints (1,2). Early presentations may appear mild, leading to delays in diagnosis and treatment. This case, managed in a primary care setting, highlights the challenge of detecting deep infection early, the limitations of oral antibiotics, and the importance of imaging and timely escalation.