Cat bite; animal bite; infection. Yet most animal bites are avoidable: Understanding how to interact with animals, and staying aware of any signals of aggression or fear, are both critically important. According to a 2016 case report, cat bites can injure a nerve in rare cases. Ingrid King is an award-winning author, former veterinary hospital manager, and veterinary journalist who is passionate about cats. Human and animal bites. Two-third of those hospitalized needed surgery. Bites that appear at first to be minor can ultimately end up requiring serious medical attention, with outcomes far worse than an apparently more damaging dog bite. Laboratory findings showed erythrocyte sedimentation rate 28 mm/hour, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein 14.5 mg/L, WBC 10,0000/l, RBC 3.77 106/l, hemoglobin 12.3 g/dL, and hematocrit 35.3%. Theres also the risk that a cats teeth will break off during a bite and need to be extracted. Dr. Brandon P. Donnelly is a native of Slidell, LA. By joining Cureus, you agree to our (2017). Another 154 were treated with oral antibiotics as outpatients, although 21 of them eventually had to be hospitalized. . Diabetic fingers with established peripheral neuropathy were more likely to undergo amputation. Look at the bite to evaluate how severe the victim's condition is. of dog bites, middle-aged women were the most common victims of cat bites to the hand, according to the Mayo Clinic study. Joint spaces were preserved, and bony structures were in good alignment. Debra Sullivan, Ph.D., MSN, R.N., CNE, COI, a bump or blister where the bite wound is located, inability to use your hand (if your hands been bitten), you start having any serious symptoms of an infection, such as fever, chills, pus or fluid oozing from the wound, or swollen lymph nodes, the cat thats bitten you appears aggressive or acts strangely, the cat thats bitten you is unvaccinated against rabies or youre unsure if the cat is vaccinated against rabies. Early treatment reduces the severity of many animal bites. Treatment for wrist tendonitis can include rest, icing, anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), hand therapy, and cortisone injections. Once trapped under the skin, these bacteria spread and multiply, causing infection and inflammation (cellulitis) of the surrounding soft tissues. . We identified 193 patients in a 3-year period between January 1, 2009, and December 31, 2011. However, they can also bite or scratch if spooked or if they get defensive. What to do? Should You Pop the Blisters Caused by Fire Ant Stings? Read more about types of bites, symptoms, and treatments. Practical Review of the Management of Animal Bites. According to a 2018 research review, infection occurs in about 50 percent of cat bites in children. He was on day three of Augmentin and taking it as directed. The small but deep puncture wounds are. Dog and cat bites to the hand: treatment and cost assessment. Type of study/level of evidence: All patients recently treated at our institution for cat bite injuries to the hand were retrospectively reviewed. After receiving his medical degree fromLouisiana State University (LSU) Health Sciences Center in New Orleans, where he was awarded the Orthopedic Surgery award. Clinical findings suggestive of the need for hospitalization include location of the bite over a joint or tendon sheath, erythema, pain, and swelling. Serious complications include infectious arthritis Acute Infectious Arthritis Acute infectious (septic) arthritis is a joint infection that evolves over hours or days. The patient appeared ill and uncomfortable. A tetanus shot was administered. Here are some of the potential infectious diseases that can happen after a cat bite: Pasteurella multocida is a type of bacteria frequently found in the mouths of cats that can cause infections after a bite or scratch. The right arm was placed in a sling for elevation of the extremity. It can happen even with the most loving, docile cat: an overexcited cat nips her guardian while playing, or accidentally bites her guardians finger while accepting a treat. The main symptoms were limited and there was painful mobilisation of fingers and wrist, and swelling and redness in the area of the bite wound. Tenosynovitis refers to inflammation of a tendon and its synovial sheath; this condition occurs most frequently in the hand and wrist but can occur in any part of the extremities where a tendon glides within a synovial-lined fibro-osseous sheath. in New Orleans, where he was awarded the Orthopedic Surgery award. The CDC says that the incubation period for rabies (time between exposure and the appearance of symptoms) can be weeks to months. Cat bites and scratches: Sometimes more than just a cut. Lesions caused by human and domestic and wild animal bites. Epub 2021 Jul 2. Minor injuries from family pets may lead to serious wounds, facial damage, and emotional problems. What are are the Differences between Cat and Dog Bites? Clipboard, Search History, and several other advanced features are temporarily unavailable. Is It Bedbugs, Other Bug Bites, or a Rash? Kanavel's Signs: If a cat hasnt been vaccinated for rabies, contact a doctor to decide if you need treatment known as rabies postexposure prophylaxis (PEP). Cat bites to the hand are so dangerous, 1 in 3 patients with such wounds had to be hospitalized, a Mayo Clinic study covering three years showed. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.". Fire ants are found in many southern U.S. states. Cat bite - what to do? You should also teach children how to properly handle pets and to make sure they arent doing anything to unintentionally hurt or scare a cat. We cannot answer questions about whether your bite needs medical attention in the comments section. Some bruising may develop, but the wound should heal within a week to 10 days. Cat bite injuries to the hand can progress to serious infection. Of those, 57 were hospitalized; on average, they were in the hospital three days. Please confirm that you are a health care professional. 2023 USA TODAY, a division of Gannett Satellite Information Network, LLC. The wrist or any joint in the fingers are usually the. Because cat bites usually cover a small area, you will probably be able to cover it with an over-the-counter adhesive Band Aid. The wound canal can reach into a joint or onto a bone. Here's how. Cats bite mostly on hands, arms or legs. Benson LS, Edwards SL, Schiff AP, Williams CS, Visotsky JL. Am Fam Physician. Careers. This includes bites that: [8] Are on the face Through this website and links to other websites, Brandon P. Donnelly, MD provides general information for educational purposes only. Close more info about Pain, tingling, and limited range of motion after a cat bite to the finger, Lori L. Henderson, DNP-c, MSN , APNP-BC, and Teri Kaul, PhD, APRN, Botched cryotherapy procedure leads to painful bullous lesion. 2014 Feb;39(2):286-90. doi: 10.1016/j.jhsa.2013.11.003. Adult cats bite out of fear, to assert dominance, or to demand attention. Puncture wounds tend to heal quickly, but a very deep bite can leave a scar. These bites may look harmless, but it is important to take immediate medical action after the initial injury. From the November 01, 2010 Issue of Clinical Advisor, Continuing Medical Education (CME/CE) Courses. Zoonotic disease: What can I catch from my cat? They can seed bacteria in the joint and tendon sheaths. Would you like email updates of new search results? Rev Soc Bras Med Trop. If the bite or scratch hasn't penetrated the skin, the chance of infection is minimal. Go to doctor or ER: Cat bites to the hand and wrist have a high incidence of infection. The type of animal involved will determine the specific injury that occurs; cats have a weaker bite but sharper teeth, therefore cause deep puncture wounds, whilst dogs have a strong bite . 28 Dog bites cause approximately 0.4 percent of emergency department visits and account for 60. A peripherally inserted central catheter line was placed and IV ceftriaxone (Rocephin) administered. Bothun said she waited one week after her black cat, Mr. Binks, bit. pedsinreview.aappublications.org/content/39/10/490, amjmed.com/action/showPdf?pii=S0002-9343%2816%2930081-X, e-aps.org/journal/view.php?doi=10.5999/aps.2016.43.6.590, orbi.uliege.be/bitstream/2268/187998/1/424%20pub_thiry.pdf, wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/22/10/16-0115_article, ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4575703/, vet.cornell.edu/departments-centers-and-institutes/cornell-feline-health-center/health-information/feline-health-topics/zoonotic-disease-what-can-i-catch-my-cat. Bites on the hand are also at a high risk of infection. Eight out of ten cat bites will become infected, experts warn, as moggies inject bacteria into the tissue when they sink their teeth into their victims, causing blood poisoning. Do not allow kittens and young cats to play with your hands. Dr. Philip Schwarzman answered. The researchers studied nearly 200 cat bite cases that occurred between 2009 and 2011. Fever. Pasteurella multocida infections. A small puncture wound, particularly from a human or cat bite, may involve significant injury to the tendon, joint capsule, or articular cartilage. government site. Dog and cat bites. Mr. H returned in three days as instructed. Unlike other animal bites, which can tear flesh and even break bones, these deeper wounds are much harder to clean. If you decide to delay medical care, watch closely for signs of infection. cat bite wrist tendonjameel disu biography. Dr. Brandon P. Donnelly | Board Certified Orthopedic Surgeon. He said people tend to ignore cat bites because they are so small, but they can lead to a laundry list of medical treatments. While 3-18 percent of dog bites become infected. If you have been bitten by a cat, seeyour doctor or visit anurgent care facility. [Hyatt, 2017] Patients often present 2-5 days after an injury. Cat bite: an injury not to underestimate. "It may look like a pin prick, but rule of thumb go see a doctor if a cat bites your hand," Carlsen said. Misunderstanding this risk has led to a worrying number of hospitalizations, as patients require surgery to clean wounds or remove tissue thats become infected. Source: The management of bite wounds in children--a retrospective analysis at a level I trauma centre. The most common symptoms of infection from a cat bite include: More serious symptoms of a cat bite infection include: You should also seek medical treatment as soon as possible if you start to experience these more serious symptoms. Your sharp, long teeth can leave deep punctate injuries. A three-year Mayo Clinic study of nearly 200 cases between 2009-2011 found that one third of patients suffering from cat bite infections were hospitalized and two-thirds of those patients required surgery. Cats dont have more bacteria in their mouths than dogs. The wrist or any joint in the fingers are usually the worst places to be wounded and thats just where most people get bitten by cats. for three to five days. Their razor-sharp teeth and nails can puncture deeply, sometimes penetrating tissues, ligaments and tendons. The site is secure. Millions of people are bitten by animals every year. Mr. H, age 45 years, presented to the clinic following a cat bite to his right hand 14 hours prior. Cats bite for a variety of reasons. According to Poison Control, CSD is usually not serious, but people with weakened immune systems are at risk of developing a more serious infection. Early treatment is beneficial in decreasing the risk of infection. Regardless of how a cat bite happens, it is not something to take lightly. Which means there are very few white blood cells to fight the bacteria, and they have an easy time infecting your tendon cells. Sbai MA, et al. Conclusions: Cat bite injuries to the hand can progress to serious infection. The subjects were 18 females and two males aged 27-86 years (mean age of 58 years). doi: 10.1097/GOX.0000000000003778. During a bite, a cat's tooth might also transfer pathogens commonly found on human skin ( Staphylococcus and Streptococcus) into underlying tissues, creating a "cocktail" of bacterial contamination. Felines' sharp teeth can inject harmful bacteria deep into joints and tissue, doctors warn. Emergency Medicine 46 years experience. Delayed presentation of infected cat bites increased the likelihood of more complicated surgeries such as amputation. Arnica, a homeopathic remedy, can help prevent bruising, and Ledum can help prevent infection. Of these, 78% (n = 7) underwent multiple operations secondary to septic arthritis, osteomyelitis, necrotising fasciitis and deep collection. Additionally, cats mouths carry a large number of bacteria which can cause serious infections in bite wounds. Because cats have extremely sharp teeth, their bites penetrate the skin easily and cause small but deep wounds. Extensor Tendon Injuries are traumatic injuries to the extensor tendons that can be caused by laceration, trauma, or overuse. But remember, if you are bitten, prompt medical care is required to prevent serious, even long-term complications from a cat bite infection. She said because she was uninsured the hospital wrote off some of the bill but she is still making payments. Cat bites only account for 10-15% of animal bites reported by emergency rooms, but they pose a much greater risk of infection. Osteomyelitis following domestic animal bites to the hand: Two case reports and practical guidelines. Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open. If the wound is bleeding, dont stop blood flow; in fact, try to encourage bleeding by gently pressing the area around the wound. COVID-19 Screening in the Pediatric Emergency Department. Victims should be especially concerned about the risk of a cat bite infection if they develop swelling or inflamed skin. Complications included nerve involvement, abscesses and loss of joint mobility. Can Vitamin E protect against heart disease. The PubMed wordmark and PubMed logo are registered trademarks of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). J Hand Surg Am. Cat bites create narrow, deep puncture wounds. extreme lower back pain after a nasty cat bite that required intravenus antibiotics in the hospital followed up with pain meds and antibiotics antiinflammatory meds, swelling decreasing throbbing pain decreasing, back pain is unbearable. Instead, call the animal control office in your area. o [teenager OR adolescent ], , MD, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone. The average length of stay for these patients was 3.2 days. The average time people waited between getting bitten and seeking treatment was 27 hours. Nelson CA, et al. Rabies is rare but deadly. It has to pierce deep enough to get into the muscle where there is a good amount of blood flow. Human and other mammalian bite injuries of the hand: evaluation and management. No fever, chills, shortness of breath, cough, wheeze, chest pain, or palpitations were reported. They may take a culture swab to help identify the type of bacteria causing the infection. Here's what you need to know. Copyright 2023 Haymarket Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved Eleven patients (Group A) were presented within 48 hours of their injury. These red streaks are from the infection traveling down your lymph system. The most common cause of human bites is a tooth-induced injury to the metacarpophalangeal joint as a result of a punch to the mouth (clenched fist injury). Protected from the immune system, a cat bite infection can rapidly spread. Watch the area carefully to see if there are signs of damaged nerves or tendons. "When my grandkids come over I don't let him around them, because things happen.". An official website of the United States government. Of those admitted to the hospital, 38 patients needed surgery to clean the wound or remove infected tissue. There is no such thing as a simple cat bite, yet most patients are unaware of the potential for harm, and they delay or fail to seek immediate evaluation and treatment. But if an unvaccinated cat has bitten you, you must take the bite seriously. eCollection 2022. It may be painful or tender when touched or pressed. Nerve injury: It's possible for the nerves to be damaged when a cat bites you. Ellis R, et al. Diagnosis is made clinically by physical examination and performing various provocative tests depending on the location of the injury. Would you like email updates of new search results? An official website of the United States government. eCollection 2021 Sep. Strwald Y, Erdle B, Busch P, Kalbhenn J, Bansbach J. Anaesthesist. Tendon and tissue damage. Identifying Bug Bites and Stings, and How To Treat Them. A dogs powerful jaws and blunt teeth tend to leave a larger wound, but they dont penetrate as deeply. Puncture wounds from a cat bite have a high risk of infection. 2019 Dec;53(6):341-346. doi: 10.1080/2000656X.2019.1637750. government site. The list above outlines the symptoms of an infected bite. If you do get a cat bite, youll likely find out pretty quickly if its going to get infected. official website and that any information you provide is encrypted Terms of Use. "Cats' teeth are sharp and can penetrate very deeply. 2002 Jan;34(1):22-9. doi: 10.1055/s-2002-22103. Cat and dog bites. Patients with joint capsule penetration, tendon injury, or bites older than 24 hours were excluded. The information in this post is not a substitute for medical care. The most common symptoms of infection from a cat bite include: redness or discoloration swelling inflammation warmth a bump or blister where the bite wound is located More serious symptoms of. This means that the cat's saliva has a chance to enter the sealed-off areas of joints and tendons, which make a prime breeding ground for the . tenderness or pain under your elbow or armpit due to swollen lymph nodes. If left untreated, cat bite infections can spread to other parts of the body, causing a condition called septicemia (blood poisoning), which requires hospitalization. In these cases, the researchers said, the wound should be treated aggressively. . The skin was warm and dry to touch. How long after a cat bite does infection set in? Before Healthline Media does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. They respond aggressively when their home is disturbed, biting and injecting venom. Wash the wound thoroughly with soap and water and cover with a sterile bandage. Cat Bite Cellulitis Nadia F. from ePlasty. National Library of Medicine Bookshelf Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy, Study shows 1 in 3 people who sought medical treatment for a cat bite on the hand were hospitalized, Most common cat bite victims are middle-age women. Unable to load your collection due to an error, Unable to load your delegates due to an error. Never try to separate cats who are fighting. INTRODUCTION. Cat bites are typically puncture wounds that penetrate deeply into the skin and underlying tissues [2] with infection rates of up to 50% [4]. 2. Yet most animal bites are avoidable: Understanding how to interact with animals, and staying aware of any signals of aggression or fear, are both critically important. Felines' sharp teeth can inject harmful bacteria deep into joints and tissue, doctors warn SUNDAY, Feb. 9, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Cat bites may look less serious than dog bites, but beware: They can cause dangerous infections, particularly when they involve the hand, new research indicates. Accessibility The average of the participants was 49 years old, and 69 percent were women. Epidemiology Keywords: 2020 Jul 23;12(7):e9357. Deep puncture wounds from animal bites become morbid if not promptly tended and closely followed. "The infection from the cat bite reached my tendon," Bothun said. The .gov means its official. How do you know if a cat bite is infected? Within a couple of hours the area was in severe pain, swollen, and red. While most bug bites cause only mild symptoms, some bug bites can transmit disease. The skin usually flaps over the bite, thereby sealing off . Pasteurella multocida is the most common isolated pathogen transmitted from cats.2 The animals long and sharp canine teeth penetrate the skin, causing deep puncture wounds and providing an avenue for the induction of bacteria. Mr. Hs medical history included hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, and tobacco abuse. sharing sensitive information, make sure youre on a federal Cat bites are about twice as likely as dog bites to get infected. There were no signs of infection and no pain. Results were negative for fracture, dislocation, and lytic or blastic lesions. If the patient is allergic to penicillin, clindamycin 300 mg orally every 6 hours can be used. Can taking antioxidants protect you against cancer? The hand should be splinted in the functional position and elevated. Open wound of wrist, hand and fingers ( S61) S61.451A is a billable ICD-10 code used to specify a medical diagnosis of open bite of right hand, initial encounter. Small but deep punctures there led to a higher risk of hospitalization than bites into soft tissue, according to the study. You should not use this information in place of a consultation or the advice of your healthcare provider. Skin infections, known as cellulitis, can occur quickly after a bite. "The bites lead to serious infections that can require multiple hospitalizations, antibiotics and sometimes surgery," Carlsen said. The 2023 edition of ICD-10-CM S61.451A became effective on October 1, 2022. If the cat who bit you was not current on his rabies vaccination or was a stray with unknown vaccination status, you may need to undergo prophylactic treatment for rabies. Pet owners must be made aware of the seriousness of a cat bite. Enechukwu AOM, Bucher F, Dastagir K, Jokuszies A, Vogt PM, Knneker S. Ann Med Surg (Lond). And of course, most of us will pet stray cats we meet along the way, but not all seemingly friendly cats remain friendly after being approached by strangers. For 14 percent of these patients, outpatient treatment with antibiotics didn't work and they needed to be hospitalized. Although cats have no more germs in their mouths than dogs or people, researchers at the Mayo Clinic found that when cats bite, their sharp teeth can inject hard-to-treat bacteria deeply into. Pain worsening significantly with motion suggests infection of a joint or tendon sheath. Univariate and multivariate statistical regression were used to analyze the data. Musculoskeletal and Connective Tissue Disorders, Amoxil, Dispermox, Moxatag, Moxilin , Sumox, Trimox, Biocef, Daxbia , Keflex, Keftab, Panixine, Cleocin, Cleocin Ovules, Cleocin Pediatric, Cleocin T, CLIN, Clindacin ETZ, Clindacin-P, Clinda-Derm , Clindagel, ClindaMax, ClindaReach, Clindesse, Clindets, Evoclin, PledgaClin, XACIATO, Acticlate, Adoxa, Adoxa Pak, Avidoxy, Doryx, Doxal, Doxy 100, LYMEPAK, Mondoxyne NL, Monodox, Morgidox 1x, Morgidox 2x , Okebo, Oracea, Oraxyl, Periostat, TARGADOX, Vibramycin, Vibra-Tabs. Tenderness along the course of a tendon suggests spread to the tendon sheath. Wear thick protective gloves when handling an injured or stray cat. Weber DJ, Wolfson JS, Swartz MN, Hooper DC. She said what followed was eight weeks in and out of the hospital, two weeks of surgery every other day to flush the infection out of the wound and remove infected tissue, and antibiotics to treat the rampant infection. for two weeks. cat bites Pasteurella (most common, 70-80% of cat bite infections) Pasteurella multocida and Pasteurella septica causes intense pain, swelling in 48h other organisms similar to dog bites Associated conditions secondary bacterial infection most bites do not become infected risk factors for infection bite to hand, foot, or major joint The bacteria injected by a cat bite can include a strain common in animals and particularly hard to fight with antibiotics, he says. The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the An infection from a cat bite can lead to more serious complications if not treated right away. An infectious disease consultation was ordered. We avoid using tertiary references. The .gov means its official. You may have to try a few different chemical and nonchemical approaches to get rid of bedbugs, especially if you have a large infestation. The PubMed wordmark and PubMed logo are registered trademarks of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Most domestic cats are already vaccinated against rabies. Follow-up evaluation should focus on early detection and diagnosis of tenosynovitis, septic arthritis, and osteomyelitis. [Polymicrobial osteomyelitis on the limb of the hand after a cat bite]. Weve summarized the best studies we could find below to cover everything you wanted to know, or perhaps didnt want to know, about cat bites. Cats teeth are sharp and pointy. fever or chills. Unable to load your collection due to an error, Unable to load your delegates due to an error. Bethesda, MD 20894, Web Policies Some people need surgery, though. Occasionally an infection can cause tendinitis, especially infection from a cat or dog bite to the hand or a finger.
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