Cat Bites Can Actually Be Quite Dangerous.
About 400,000 cat bites occur annually in the United States , with animal bites accounting for approximately 1 percent of all emergency department visits . Although dog bites are much more common, cat bites can be unusually dangerous: one study found that one in three cat bites to the arm resulted in patients being hospitalized. If left untreated, infection from a cat bite can spread to the rest of the body, leading to sepsis and possible death .
Cat bites are high risk wounds.
Cat bites are unusually dangerous for a number of reasons. “Cat bites are considered high risk, mainly because their teeth are so small and sharp that they can cause deep puncture wounds,” says Camila Calderon , an emergency medicine physician at UCHealth Houston McGovern School of Medicine.
Cat bites also most often occur on the upper body, especially the arms, which are more vulnerable to infection. There are many different muscles and tendons in the hand that, if bitten, can become infected and then spread to other parts of the hand.
Another reason why cat bites are exceptionally dangerous is due to the presence of bacteria called Pasteurella multocida , which is one of the leading causes of hand infections resulting from cat bites. Pasteurella infections develop exceptionally quickly, and when they occur in more susceptible areas, such as the hands, it can quickly become a very serious problem.
What to do if you are bitten
If you are bitten by a cat, the first step is to wash the wound as thoroughly as possible with soap and water and get examined by a doctor. “I would recommend that you seek medical help, whether or not you feel like you can treat it,” says Calderon.
If the bite is unusually deep or extensive, they can help clean the wound thoroughly. They will also give you antibiotics to prevent infection. Whether it’s your local emergency room, emergency department, or primary care doctor, it’s important to see your doctor and start taking antibiotics as soon as possible.
If at any time your cat bite wound develops redness, swelling or pain, or you develop a fever, it is important to go to the emergency room immediately.
In addition to the risk of infection, cat bites also come with several other risks that may require the help of a medical professional. The first serious risk is rabies. If the cat’s medical history is unknown and it runs away after being bitten, post-exposure rabies testing may be required. Another risk could be cat scratch fever , as bites can sometimes be accompanied by scratches.