The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the 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. doi: 10.1590/0037-8682-0372-2022. Bookshelf Keywords: A regular cat bite that just breaks the skin isn't really anything to worry about. Mr. H. was then sent for immediate orthopedic surgical evaluation. Psoriatic arthritis. 2006 Mar;31(3):468-73. doi: 10.1016/j.jhsa.2005.12.011. 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 the skin and joints, increasing the risk for serious infection. Tendons and ligaments in the hand are especially delicate. You love your cat. Careers. Before Cat bite; animal bite; infection. What are are the Differences between Cat and Dog Bites? Numbness, pain and weakness may be symptoms of it. Please login or register first to view this content. Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open. Lesions caused by human and domestic and wild animal bites. 2006 Nov-Dec;106(6):692-5. doi: 10.1080/00015458.2006.11679983. 2019 Dec;53(6):341-346. doi: 10.1080/2000656X.2019.1637750. Please enable it to take advantage of the complete set of features! Most cat bites are treated with antibiotics, with penicillin being the most commonly used drug. o [ pediatric abdominal pain ] The index finger was the most common site of injury (45%). Dawn Bothun, of Minnesota said a bite on her hand turned into an eight-week hospital ordeal and $150,000 in medical bills. 2004 Oct;74(10):859-62. doi: 10.1111/j.1445-1433.2004.03189.x. . [Brusalis, 2017] Penetrating injuries are the most common (ex, cat scratch/bite). Cat bites may look small, but they can turn into serious problems. Keywords: Hand or wrist infection; cat bites; delayed treatment; diabetic finger; finger amputation; public awareness. The puncture hole can quickly seal over and trap bacteria from the cats mouth under your skin. An official website of the United States government. There is not very much bloodflow to the tendon sheath. All patients recently treated at our institution for cat bite injuries to the hand were retrospectively reviewed. Use for phrases Cats have thin sharp teeth that dig into skin and drive bacteria deep into the wound. 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. Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone. Treatment can be nonoperative or operative depending on the zone of injury. If left untreated, infections can potentially lead to scarring, tissue loss, or even life threatening sepsis. If the cat's tooth reached your finger's tendon, it can be very difficult for your body to beat the infection. For an infection to set in, bacteria need time to get settled and multiply in your body which is why there is a delay between a bite and any infection symptoms. 2002 Jan;34(1):22-9. doi: 10.1055/s-2002-22103. Purpose: for three to five days. By clicking Subscribe, I agree to the WebMD, Smart Grocery Shopping When You Have Diabetes, Surprising Things You Didn't Know About Dogs and Cats, Smoking Pot Every Day Linked to Heart Risks, Artificial Sweetener Linked to Heart Risks, FDA Authorizes First At-Home Test for COVID and Flu, New Book: Take Control of Your Heart Disease Risk, MINOCA: The Heart Attack You Didnt See Coming, Health News and Information, Delivered to Your Inbox. Cats bite for a variety of reasons. We do not control or have responsibility for the content of any third-party site. 0. ANZ J Surg. Immediately wash the wound under running water. doi: 10.7759/cureus.9357. Tetanus is a serious infection caused by a bacterium called Clostridium tetani. Delayed presentation of infected cat bites increased the likelihood of more complicated surgeries such as amputation. Bites on the hand are also at a high risk of infection. 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. If you dont know the rabies status of the animal, try to locate it and call animal control. Wound cultures were significant for Pasteurella multocida. The right arm was placed in a sling for elevation of the extremity. In most jurisdictions, physicians are required to report animal bites to the local health department. Some bites require the use of antibiotics through an intravenous (IV), while others may be treated with oral medication. Painful and swollen lymph nodes for more than 2 or 3 weeks. Its not something you want to take any chances with. Joint spaces were preserved, and bony structures were in good alignment. Copyright 2023 Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA and its affiliates. Terms of Use. Its really just a function of their slender, sharp fangs. Healthline Media does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This includes bites that: [8] Are on the face If you suspect youve been bitten by a bat, its important to seek medical attention as soon as, Healthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. . Published in February in the Journal of Hand Surgery the study looked at 193 patients who received treatment for a cat bite on the hand from January 2009 through 2011. Some bruising may develop, but the wound should heal within a week to 10 days. If the wound is deep, if you see signs of infection as listed above, or if you have any other reason for concern, be sure to see your doctor. No fevers, chills, increased redness, or swelling was noted. . Dr. Kaul is the MSN and DNP Program Director and an associate professor at Concordia University Wisconsin in Mequon. 4th ed., Gainesville Fla.: Barmarrae Books; 2003. Cat bite victims sometimes must have their wounds surgically irrigated or even have infected tissue removed, a procedure called debridement. Lim JS, et al. Dutton LK, Hinchcliff KM, Logli AL, Mallett KE, Suh GA, Rizzo M. JB JS Open Access. Emergency Medicine 46 years experience. doi: 10.1097/GOX.0000000000003778. Mr. Hs right-hand wounds were cleansed with antibacterial soap, betadine wash, and sterile water rinse. The skin was warm and dry to touch. ", SOURCE: Mayo Clinic, news release, Feb. 5, 2014. Wrist tendinitis (tendonitis) is inflammation in the tendons that connect your lower arm to the bones in your fingers. A doctor will decide if the wound needs stitches or surgery to heal properly. 2022 Mar 24;7(1):e21.00084. If left untreated, cat bite infections can spread to other parts of the body, causing a condition called septicemia (blood poisoning), which requires hospitalization. Benson LS, Edwards SL, Schiff AP, Williams CS, Visotsky JL. 2 deep puncture wounds along the pinky by the wrist, 1 in the middle above the wrist & another with a tear by the wrist along the thumb. Can antioxidants supercharge your brain power? The second digit was warm to touch, red, and swollen. Infection in these tissues can be very painful and difficult to treat. Bethesda, MD 20894, Web Policies Conclusions: Cat bite injuries to the hand can progress to serious infection. 2021 Aug;70(8):639-643. doi: 10.1007/s00101-021-01003-9. 2021 Nov 1;71:102993. doi: 10.1016/j.amsu.2021.102993. Cat bite infections of the hand: assessment of morbidity and predictors of severe infection. "When the cat bites the hand, the joints and tendons are protected with fluid and there is no circulation so bacteria can grow like crazy, making treatment longer in some case.". Copyright 2023 Haymarket Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved If youre bitten by a stray, it may be necessary to capture the animal so it can be observed. The pain was markedly worse during second-digit flexion attempts or when pressure was applied. - The management of bite wounds in children--A retrospective analysis at a level I trauma centre . While the kitten grabbing at your hand and biting your fingers may be adorable, it wont be so adorable anymore when he has grown into an adult cat. Erythema and pain localized to the bite suggest infection. We recommend that any symptomatic cat bites to the upper limb, especially hand and wrist, must be treated promptly, essentially within 48 hours of injury, particularly in immunocompromised population. "Every time they would stitch me up after flushing the wound, the infection would just get worse. An initial assessment of early cellulitis and right-hand pain secondary to the cat bite and fall was made. Human and animal bites. (2016). Physical examination findings of erythema and swelling at presentation were also associated with increased risk of hospitalization. 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. When the bite is on the hand (and other research has shown that up to 85 percent of cat bites occur on the hand or wrist), the puncture may easily pierce a joint or the membrane sheath. Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. What are the top 3 benefits of Vitamin E? If the cat is healthy after 10 days, there is no risk to the person who was bitten. While some cat bites may heal without causing infection, it is recommended that you seek medical attention for all cat bites. Mr. H was diagnosed with a septic joint, scheduled for incision and drainage, and admitted to the hospital overnight for observation. A doctor will likely prescribe antibiotics to fight off the infection. He is currently an Assistant Professor of Orthopedic Surgery at Louisiana State University (LSU) Health Sciences Center. Your use of this website constitutes acceptance of Haymarket Medias Privacy Policy and Terms & Conditions. Clipboard, Search History, and several other advanced features are temporarily unavailable. Wrist Tendonitis; DeQuervain's Tendonitis; Carpal Boss; Wrist Fractures; Distal Radius Fracture of the Wrist; Scaphoid Fractures of the wrist . There were no signs of infection and no pain. While most bug bites cause only mild symptoms, some bug bites can transmit disease. Privacy Policy According to a 2016 case report, cat bites can injure a nerve in rare cases. In these cases, the researchers said, the wound should be treated aggressively. Rev Soc Bras Med Trop. This virus is almost always fatal when untreated, but its extremely rare. Introduction. These include: An infection from a cat bite may set in within a few hours, but it can take 10 days or more for some infections, like cat-scratch disease, to start showing symptoms. Benson LS, Edwards SL, Schiff AP, et al. Common pathogens include Pasteurella species, Staphylococcus aureus, streptococci, anaerobes, Capnocytophaga, Moraxella, Corynebacterium, and Neisseria. Additionally, cats mouths carry a large number of bacteria which can cause serious infections in bite wounds. Published by: Ingrid King. The subjects were 18 females and two males aged 27-86 years (mean age of 58 years). All rights reserved. Multiple scratch wounds of various lengths across the dorsum of the right hand were nondraining and erythematous. The family cat lunged at him and bit and scratched his hand. However, they can also bite or scratch if spooked or if they get defensive. "We don't play like we used to," Bothun said. 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. reported a staggering 28-80 percent cat bite infection rate. (2016). It can be caused by overuse and repetitive movements like texting, playing video games, or writing. Some states allow this quarantine to be done in the cats home, others require that it will be carried out in an approved animal control facility. 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. Skin infections, known as cellulitis, can occur quickly after a bite. At the hand, where cats most often bite . When you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there are only 1 to 3 cases in the United States each year. 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. loss of sensation in . Cats, like many other mammals, can carry rabies. Mr. H was unable to perform full flexion of the second digit. Not all cat bites lead to infection, but enough do to warrant caution. 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). The content provided in this website and links, is not a substitute for medical care or treatment. Epub 2022 Jul 20. The patient appeared ill and uncomfortable. Deep puncture wounds from animal bites become morbid if not promptly tended and closely followed. If the patient is allergic to penicillin, clindamycin 300 mg orally every 6 hours can be used. The pain almost drove me up the wall.". Serious complications include infectious arthritis Acute Infectious Arthritis Acute infectious (septic) arthritis is a joint infection that evolves over hours or days. Cat bites can results in mild scarring, the raised area is probably a little scar tissue settling down. 'A cat bite is much worse than a dog or rat bite. Practical Review of the Management of Animal Bites. Briefly, infected bites will often appear red and swollen. what holidays is belk closed; is lamarca prosecco vegan; There are tons of dangerous bacteria flourishing inside a cats mouth. Once symptoms are present, rabies is typically fatal. Polymer-Based Constructs for Flexor Tendon Repair: A Review. FOIA According to a Mayo Clinic review of records for 193 cat bite victims, 36 were immediately admitted to the hospital, where they stayed an average of three days. Minor injuries from family pets may lead to serious wounds, facial damage, and emotional problems. . (2021). Data included patient demographics, anatomical site of injury, microbiology results, method of treatment and surgical outcome. Of course, if the cat's fangs go in very deep, this could be worrisome and worth a doctor's visit! The hand should be splinted in the functional position and elevated. Of those admitted to the hospital, 38 patients needed surgery to clean the wound or remove infected tissue. Frost Bite most commonly injures your ears and nose. While all bites carry bacteria, your body manages to fend off most infections from dog bites. Puncture wounds from a cat bite have a high risk of infection. This is particularly true when patients develop inflamed skin and swelling. Wrist tendon pain usually goes away with rest, medication, injections or splinting. [Sepsis after cat bite-How medical history, physical examination and interdisciplinary cooperation influence disease progression]. An infected cat bite wound will be red, swollen, and painful, and the infection can spread through the surrounding tissues, causing a condition called cellulitis, or through the blood to other areas of the body, causing a condition called septicemia (often called blood poisoning).
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