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.
Infections of the Hand and Wrist - Hand Specialists in Western Mass 1. FOIA 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. Cureus. [Treatment of bites to the hand and wrist--is the primary antibiotic prophylaxis necessary?]. An infectious disease consultation was ordered. Human and animal bites. This site needs JavaScript to work properly. If the cat's tooth reached your finger's tendon, it can be very difficult for your body to beat the infection.
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.
Risk of Cat Bite to the Hand - Brandon P. Donnelly, MD This includes bites that: [8] Are on the face del Mar Amador M, et al. Polymers (Basel). 2017 Dr. Brandon P. Donnelly
Bite Wounds : Wheeless' Textbook of Orthopaedics 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. Wound cultures were significant for Pasteurella multocida.
Your doctor may also recommend an X-ray to diagnose injuries to joints or bones or to see if there are any fragments from the cats teeth that may have broken off. 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.
Wrist Tendonitis: Symptoms, Causes & Treatment - Cleveland Clinic 1. Keywords:
Cat bite: an injury not to underestimate - PubMed We cannot answer questions about whether your bite needs medical attention in the comments section. 2015 Jan;23(1):47-57. doi: 10.5435/JAAOS-23-01-47. Cat bite: An unusual cause of foot drop. Hand or wrist infection; cat bites; delayed treatment; diabetic finger; finger amputation; public awareness. Positive tactile response to the digits of the right hand was achieved. "We don't play like we used to," Bothun said. Brandon P. Donnelly, MD When To Worry The wrist or any joint in the fingers are usually the worst places to be wounded - and that's just where most people get bitten by cats. Tendons and ligaments in the hand are especially delicate. "Dogs' teeth are blunter, so they don't tend to penetrate as deeply and they tend to leave a larger wound after they bite," study senior author Dr. Brian Carlsen, a Mayo Clinic plastic surgeon and orthopedic hand surgeon, said in a clinic news release. In the Mayo Clinic study, eight of the 193 patients surveyed required more than one operation, and some had to have reconstructive surgery. Meanwhile, 80 percent of the patients were initially prescribed oral antibiotics, the researchers said. Dog and cat bites to the hand: treatment and cost assessment. 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%. Their razor-sharp teeth and nails can puncture deeply, sometimes penetrating tissues, ligaments and tendons. Though house cats are often vaccinated against the most serious diseases, like rabies, stray cats arent usually vaccinated and can carry several diseases. Use OR to account for alternate terms Infected Cat Bite On The Wrist Photograph by Dr P. Marazzi/science from fineartamerica.com. Noninfected bite wounds may require surgical debridement and prophylaxis with 50% of the dose of antibiotic used to treat infected wounds.
An infection from a cat bite can lead to more serious complications if not treated right away. Dr. Philip Schwarzman answered. 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. left hand was severely bitten by a cat that animal control brought in. If you do get a cat bite, youll likely find out pretty quickly if its going to get infected. Cats are also the main reservoir of Bartonella henselae, the causative agent of cat scratch disease, which was confirmed in the presented patient by serological examination. They respond aggressively when their home is disturbed, biting and injecting venom. Unlike other animal bites, which can tear flesh and even break bones, these deeper wounds are much harder to clean. Can vitamin D help maintain muscle strength? Data included patient demographics, anatomical site of injury, microbiology results, method of treatment and surgical outcome. J Am Acad Orthop Surg.
Cat Bite Infection: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment - Cats.com You should be especially careful if the wound is around your wrist area. How long after a cat bite does infection set in? 'A cat bite is much worse than a dog or rat bite. Dont try to capture the cat yourself. Dr. Donnelly is a board certified orthopedic surgeon specializing in injuries and ailments of the hand, wrist, and elbow. Felines' sharp teeth can inject harmful bacteria deep into joints and tissue, doctors warn. The fear is that bacteria from the person's skin or from the cat's or dog's mouth gains access to a part of the body that is like a freeway for the bacteria to spread quickly the tendons. He was on day three of Augmentin and taking it as directed. J Hand Surg Am. Cats, meanwhile, have sharp teeth and that dramatically increases the risk for a cat bite infection. The wound canal can reach into a joint or onto a bone. Mean duration of antibiotic treatment and length of hospital stay were significantly longer in Group B (p < .05). Erythema and pain localized to the bite suggest infection. Wrist tendonitis is irritation and inflammation of the tendons at the wrist joint. Cats bite mostly on hands, arms or legs. (2021). Please login or register first to view this content.
Cat Bite Injuries to Humans | VCA Animal Hospital Deep Debridement CPT Codes Conscious Cat is reader-supported. any link with venom from cat bite affecting central nervous system? Eikenella corrodens is often seen with human bite injuries and Pasteurella multocida is seen with dog and especially cat bite wounds. MeSH A 29-year-old woman with fever after a cat bite. Preoperative Antibiotics Influence Culture Yield in the Treatment of Hand, Wrist, and Forearm Infections. Clinical findings suggestive of the need for hospitalization include location of the bite over a joint or tendon sheath, erythema, pain, and swelling. Cat bite infections of the hand: assessment of morbidity and predictors of severe infection. Of these, 78% (n = 7) underwent multiple operations secondary to septic arthritis, osteomyelitis, necrotising fasciitis and deep collection. Results were negative for fracture, dislocation, and lytic or blastic lesions. Cat bites carry other risks besides infections. (2018). 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. If you know the cat thats bitten you has a rabies vaccine, its unlikely that youll contract rabies.
Infectious tenosynovitis - UpToDate In most cases, bites that were positioned directly over the wrist or another joint were more likely to result in hospitalization than bites to soft tissue, the researchers said. Weber DJ, Wolfson JS, Swartz MN, Hooper DC. The bites can even be so deep that they damage a victim's nerves, tendons and . Use for phrases If you dont know the rabies status of the animal, try to locate it and call animal control. All rights reserved. Cat bites and scratches: Sometimes more than just a cut. and transmitted securely. July 2012 edited July 2012. eCollection 2022 Jan-Mar. A. 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. Dog and cat bites to the hand: treatment and cost assessment. The information in this post is not a substitute for medical care. Stay away from stray or feral cats. Instead, call the animal control office in your area. A doctor or nurse will wash the wound thoroughly, trim away any dead tissue, and apply antibiotic ointment. Cat bite injuries to the hand can progress to serious infection.
Infected Bite Wounds of the Hand - MSD Manual Professional Edition Two-third of those hospitalized needed surgery. Your physician may also recommend a tetanus shot. PEP isnt generally needed if the cat isnt showing signs of rabies, but the cat should be monitored for at least 10 days to be sure. There is not very much bloodflow to the tendon sheath. Discharge instructions and wound-care handouts were provided. Educating the patient about the importance of early management and immediate follow-up can reduce the risk of adverse sequelae and the potential costs of hospitalization and post-bite management. The .gov means its official. 'The wrist is packed with tendons and blood vessels, so infection can be pumped to . 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. . Give them time to calm down before approaching them. Bone or joint pain, abdominal pain (without fever, vomiting, or diarrhea), or excessive tiredness for more than 2 . Capillary refill to the upper extremities measured fewer than three seconds. Diabetic fingers with established peripheral neuropathy were more likely to undergo amputation. doi: 10.1097/GOX.0000000000003778. Stress the importance of immediately washing the wound with antiseptic solution and water and seeking immediate evaluation. Mr. H was diagnosed with a septic joint, scheduled for incision and drainage, and admitted to the hospital overnight for observation.