While most bug bites cause only mild symptoms, some bug bites can transmit disease. As your body works to fight the bacteria in the cat bite, you may develop a fever. The researchers said 57 of the patients who were bitten needed to be hospitalized, but only 36 had been admitted immediately after seeking medical treatment. 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. "The infection from the cat bite reached my tendon," Bothun said. 2019 Dec;53(6):341-346. doi: 10.1080/2000656X.2019.1637750. The drug of choice is amoxicillin/clavulanate 875 mg/125 mg b.i.d. In severe cases, surgery may be . Bookshelf 2021 Nov 1;71:102993. doi: 10.1016/j.amsu.2021.102993. Your physician may also recommend a tetanus shot. Can vitamin D help maintain muscle strength? Clinical findings suggestive of the need for hospitalization include location of the bite over a joint or tendon sheath, erythema, pain, and swelling. A doctor will likely prescribe antibiotics to fight off the infection. Bacteria can be potentially seeded down into joints and tendon sheaths, far away from where it would be immediately noticed. 2006 Mar;31(3):468-73. doi: 10.1016/j.jhsa.2005.12.011. However, play it safe by washing the area thoroughly with soap and water. While 3-18 percent of dog bites become infected. Carlsen said the study showed the hand and wrist are the perfect breeding ground for bacteria, making outpatient antibiotic treatment hard. Mr. H was diagnosed with a septic joint, scheduled for incision and drainage, and admitted to the hospital overnight for observation. [Treatment of bites to the hand and wrist--is the primary antibiotic prophylaxis necessary?]. doi: 10.1590/0037-8682-0372-2022. Infections of Deep Hand and Wrist Compartments. Unable to load your collection due to an error, Unable to load your delegates due to an error. . 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 . MeSH If the patient is allergic to penicillin, recommend doxycyline 100 mg b.i.d. Careers. 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). Erythema and pain localized to the bite suggest infection. For 14 percent of these patients, outpatient treatment with antibiotics didn't work and they needed to be hospitalized. 2004 Oct;74(10):859-62. doi: 10.1111/j.1445-1433.2004.03189.x. Dawn Bothun, of Minnesota said a bite on her hand turned into an eight-week hospital ordeal and $150,000 in medical bills. Cat bites to the hand can be especially dangerous since tendon sheaths and joints are close to the surface in the hand and cat bites penetrate deeply. Prescribing an antibiotic prophylactically has shown to reduce the rate of infection from cat bites. Look at the bite to evaluate how severe the victim's condition is. There are a few people, that develop severe allergic reactions to flea bites and can get irritated by a single bite. When the injury has occurred, wash the wound with soap and then apply antiseptics. 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. Millions of people are bitten by animals every year, mainly by dogs. Open cat bite of wrist; Open cat bite wound of neck; Present On Admission. Mr. H was unsure of the date of his last tetanus shot and reported that the cat is up to date on all immunizations. 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. 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. If you have a hand injury and would like to have it evaluated by our areas leading hand specialist, contact us today to schedule an appointment. Issues related to infectious tenosynovitis will be reviewed here. An infectious disease consultation was ordered. 8600 Rockville Pike Adult cats bite out of fear, to assert dominance, or to demand attention. Symptoms include not only pain, but also numbness and paresthesia. Unauthorized use of these marks is strictly prohibited. We've visualized two studie We've visualized the results of a new clinical trial that compared butter, cocon How long does COVID-19 live on Plastic? 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. We do not control or have responsibility for the content of any third-party site. PMC This is particularly true when patients develop inflamed skin and swelling. "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. No fever, chills, shortness of breath, cough, wheeze, chest pain, or palpitations were reported. Pet owners must be made aware of the seriousness of a cat bite. Clinical Guidelines in Family Practice. Dutton LK, Hinchcliff KM, Logli AL, Mallett KE, Suh GA, Rizzo M. JB JS Open Access. The .gov means its official. Kheiran A, Palial V, Rollett R, Wildin CJ, Chatterji U, Singh HP. Common symptoms are localized bone pain and tenderness with constitutional symptoms (in acute read more . The skin on the second digit of the right hand showed significant edema and erythema circumferentially (Figure 1). This is the American ICD-10-CM version of S61.451A - other international versions of ICD-10 S61.451A may differ. 2022 Dec 16;55:e0372-2022. del Mar Amador M, et al. A small puncture wound, particularly from a human or cat bite, may involve significant injury to the tendon, joint capsule, or articular cartilage. Acute carpal tunnel syndrome of the hand following a cat bite. The subjects were 18 females and two males aged 27-86 years (mean age of 58 years). According to a 2018 research review, infection occurs in about 50 percent of cat bites in children. Some bites require the use of antibiotics through an intravenous (IV), while others may be treated with oral medication. Deep puncture wounds from animal bites become morbid if not promptly tended and closely followed. [Hyatt, 2017] Patients often present 2-5 days after an injury. Rev Soc Bras Med Trop. 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. Cureus. Misunderstanding this risk has led to a worrying number of hospitalizations, as patients require surgery to clean wounds or remove tissue thats become infected. Practical Review of the Management of Animal Bites. Twenty cases of cat bites to the hand and wrist were retrospectively reviewed between 2014 and 2018. 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). Because cats have extremely sharp teeth, their bites penetrate the skin easily and cause small but deep wounds. At the hand, where cats most often bite . While all bites carry bacteria, your body manages to fend off most infections from dog bites. Wounds are not closed after initial treatment so that any . These findings should increase concern for a severe infection and warrant hospitalization and urgent consultation with a hand surgeon. He is currently an Assistant Professor of Orthopedic Surgery at Louisiana State University (LSU) Health Sciences Center. Multiple scratch wounds of various lengths across the dorsum of the right hand were nondraining and erythematous. 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. HHS Vulnerability Disclosure, Help Bethesda, MD 20894, Web Policies Please note that by doing so you agree to be added to our monthly email newsletter distribution list. Small but deep punctures there led to a higher risk of hospitalization than bites into soft tissue, according to the study. But remember, if you are bitten, prompt medical care is required to prevent serious, even long-term complications from a cat bite infection. Stress the importance of immediately washing the wound with antiseptic solution and water and seeking immediate evaluation. Cat bites create narrow, deep puncture wounds. a tendon lesion or a purulent flexor . Here's how. You can contract cat scratch fever from cats infected with Bartonella henselae bacteria. Hand or wrist infection; cat bites; delayed treatment; diabetic finger; finger amputation; public awareness. 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. Disclaimer. The pain almost drove me up the . Clipboard, Search History, and several other advanced features are temporarily unavailable. Cureus is on a mission to change the long-standing paradigm of medical publishing, where submitting research can be costly, complex and time-consuming. It has to pierce deep enough to get into the muscle where there is a good amount of blood flow. Pain worsening significantly with motion suggests infection of a joint or tendon sheath. The patient was able to return to work. The .gov means its official. If you dont know the rabies status of the animal, try to locate it and call animal control. The wound canal can reach into a joint or onto a bone. POA Help "Present On Admission" is defined as present at the time the order for inpatient admission occurs conditions that develop during an outpatient encounter, including emergency department, observation, or outpatient surgery, are considered POA. These include: If the cat bite is deep, it can damage your tendon(s). o [teenager OR adolescent ], , MD, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. 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). Savu AN, Schoenbrunner AR, Politi R, Janis JE. 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. But bewareyour cat can make you sick. eCollection 2022. 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). 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. Treatment can be nonoperative or operative depending on the zone of injury. A peripherally inserted central catheter line was placed and IV ceftriaxone (Rocephin) administered. Its really just a function of their slender, sharp fangs. A small puncture wound, particularly from a human or cat bite, may involve significant injury to the tendon, joint capsule, or articular cartilage. But while a kitten bite may be cute, an adult cat bite can be painful. "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.". Dr. Philip Schwarzman answered. These red streaks are from the infection traveling down your lymph system. Mr. H noted a progression of redness and swelling over the past three days, and admitted inconsistent use of the sling. Cat bites create narrow, deep puncture wounds. "Every time they would stitch me up after flushing the wound the infection would just get worse. Copyright 2014 American Society for Surgery of the Hand. Thirty percent (n = 57) of patients with cat bites to the hand were hospitalized. Unlike other animal bites, which can tear flesh and even break bones, these deeper wounds are much harder to clean. The PubMed wordmark and PubMed logo are registered trademarks of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Signs and Symptoms Signs that your bite may be infected include: Swelling Redness Warmth Continued pain beyond 24 hours Drainage from the wound Signs that your infection may be spreading include: Red streaks up the arm or forearm Swollen glands around the elbow or in the armpit Fever Tiredness Night sweats Shakes "Cat bites look very benign, but -- as we know and as the study shows -- they are not," Carlsen said. If a cat hasnt been vaccinated for rabies, contact a doctor to decide if you need treatment known as rabies postexposure prophylaxis (PEP). - dog bite: - consider viridans strep, pasteurella multocida, bacteroides, fusobacterium, capnocytophaga; - prophylactic treatment: augmentin / amoxicillin or with allergy ( cipro + clindamycin) Before joining Pontchartrain Orthopedics and Sports Medicine, he completed a hand and microsurgery fellowship at the prestigiousPhiladelphia Hand Center. Do not allow kittens and young cats to play with your hands. Read on to learn more about symptoms and how to prevent bug bites. 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. WebMD does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. The average length of stay for these patients was 3.2 days. Though house cats are often vaccinated against the most serious diseases, like rabies, stray cats arent usually vaccinated and can carry several diseases. However, they can also bite or scratch if spooked or if they get defensive. Carlsen said the lesson is that people need to be careful of cat bites and monitor them for swelling and redness. Here's what you need to know. Four patients underwent digital or ray amputations. After being advised of the risk for infection, Mr. H agreed to follow up in three days or sooner if symptoms worsened. Physical examination findings of erythema and swelling at presentation were also associated with increased risk of hospitalization. Cat bite - what to do? Keywords: Hand or wrist infection; cat bites; delayed treatment; diabetic finger; finger amputation; public awareness. doi: 10.7759/cureus.9357. Bliss 101 Registered User regular. Serious complications include infectious arthritis Acute Infectious Arthritis Acute infectious (septic) arthritis is a joint infection that evolves over hours or days. Learn more about the Merck Manuals and our commitment to Global Medical Knowledge. Not surprising to most who have owned a cat(s), your author included, cat bites most often end up on the hands and arms. A prescription was given prophylactically for amoxicillin (Augmentin) 875 mg one orally b.i.d. . It's the worst animal in the UK to be bitten by. Almost 40% of cases had flexor tendon sheath infection of the fingers. Bats are one of the most common carriers of rabies. Cats carry many bacteria in their mouths capable of causing infections in bite wounds. (2016). Your use of this website constitutes acceptance of Haymarket Medias Privacy Policy and Terms & Conditions. MeSH terms Adult Aged Theres also the risk that a cats teeth will break off during a bite and need to be extracted. Nine patients (Group B) presented later than 48 hours. Wrist tendonitis is irritation and inflammation of the tendons at the wrist joint. Fire ants are found in many southern U.S. states. more serious symptoms of an infection, such as fever or muscle weakness. "Cats' teeth are sharp and can penetrate very deeply. Cat bites are about twice as likely as dog bites to get infected. 1995 Aug;52(2):479-85, 489-90. The site is secure. 1. Published by: Ingrid King. A doctor may give you a tetanus vaccine booster if you havent had a tetanus vaccine in the last 5 years. Should You Pop the Blisters Caused by Fire Ant Stings? One of the more common is a highly pathogenic bacterium, Pasteurella multocida. National Library of Medicine Complications included nerve involvement, abscesses and loss of joint mobility. A serious infection can develop 24-48 hours after being bitten. Of course, if the cat's fangs go in very deep, this could be worrisome and worth a doctor's visit! Dog or cat bites to the hands are the most severe injuries, often requiring surgical intervention and hospitalization.1 Infectious complications occur in approximately 50% of cat bites. 1. Cat bite injuries to the hand can progress to serious infection. Bethesda, MD 20894, Web Policies 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. A continued decrease in range of motion of the second digit was demonstrated at the two-week follow-up, but the pain was significantly improved. Pontchartrain Orthopedics and Sports Medicine, Louisiana State University (LSU) Health Sciences Center. Most domestic cats are already vaccinated against rabies. Twenty cases of cat bites to the hand and wrist were retrospectively reviewed between 2014 and 2018. Read more about types of bites, symptoms, and treatments. Can antioxidants supercharge your brain power? Avoidance of bites, prompt wound management, and judicious use of antibiotics decrease antimicrobial resistance and infection incidence. Another 154 were treated with oral antibiotics as outpatients, although 21 of them eventually had to be hospitalized. [Polymicrobial osteomyelitis on the limb of the hand after a cat bite]. Because cat bites usually cover a small area, you will probably be able to cover it with an over-the-counter adhesive Band Aid. 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. There is a remarkable amount of research around cat bites. Review: The Cat in the Window And Other Stories of the Cats We Love. Complications were common among these patients. PMC Copyright 2023 Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA and its affiliates. for 10 days. Tetanus is a serious infection caused by a bacterium called Clostridium tetani. The average of the participants was 49 years old, and 69 percent were women. Dr. Kaul is the MSN and DNP Program Director and an associate professor at Concordia University Wisconsin in Mequon. Patient demographics, medical history, physical examination findings, laboratory values, and long-term follow-up data were collected. 2006;31:468-473. Numbness, pain and weakness may be symptoms of it. 2015 Jan;23(1):47-57. doi: 10.5435/JAAOS-23-01-47. Cat bite: an injury not to underestimate. Dr. Donnelly is a board certified orthopedic surgeon specializing in injuries and ailments of the hand, wrist, and elbow. The oral flora of humans includes Eikenella corrodens, staphylococci, streptococci, and anaerobes. If the cat is healthy after 10 days, there is no risk to the person who was bitten. I still have a small bump from a cat that bit my hand around twenty-five years ago. After receiving his medical degree fromLouisiana State University (LSU) Health Sciences Center in New Orleans, where he was awarded the Orthopedic Surgery award. Tenderness along the course of a tendon suggests spread to the tendon sheath. 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. One study in the New England Journal of Medicine estimated that 63% of cat bites were on the patients hands, followed by the arm with 23% of bites. 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. Bothun said she waited one week after her black cat, Mr. Binks, bit. HHS Vulnerability Disclosure, Help Of the hospitalized patients, 67% (n = 38) underwent irrigation and debridement, with 8 patients requiring more than 1 operation. The study showed that administering antibiotics failed in 21 of the 193 patients, who later received treatment in the hospital. 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. While cat bites look a lot smaller than dog bites, cat bites have certain features that make them more dangerous. Type of study/level of evidence: Conscious Cat is reader-supported. Can Vitamin E protect against heart disease. Nearly 40% of cat bites may lead to an infection according to one estimate, which supports the extra attention medical professionals often pay to cat bites. The information shared in this article is not a substitute for medical care. Cat bite victims sometimes must have their wounds surgically irrigated or even have infected tissue removed, a procedure called debridement. Check for signs such as bruising, punctured skin, bleeding, and objects stuck in the wound. . Terms of Use. Our website services, content, and products are for informational purposes only. (2021). Use interactive toys to play with your cat instead. 2006 Mar;31(3):468-73. doi: 10.1016/j.jhsa.2005.12.011. Extensor Tendon Injuries are traumatic injuries to the extensor tendons that can be caused by laceration, trauma, or overuse. You should still clean the wound area with soap and water, but its unlikely you will have to take any action. Ingrid King is an award-winning author, former veterinary hospital manager, and veterinary journalist who is passionate about cats. He graduated magna cum laude with a degree in biological sciences fromCornell University. 2021 Sep 9;9(9):e3778. Dr. Brandon P. Donnelly | Board Certified Orthopedic Surgeon. 'A cat bite is much worse than a dog or rat bite. Source: The management of bite wounds in children--a retrospective analysis at a level I trauma centre. Dog and cat bites. You may need to begin rabies treatment if the cat thats bitten you shows any rabies symptoms. Its recommended that you have a tetanus booster after a cat bite if its been more than 5 years since youve had the vaccine. Can low vitamin D increase risk of cancer? Small but deep punctures there led to a higher risk of hospitalization than bites into soft tissue, according to the study. Cat bites are more frequent in the mornings, in the summer, and in spring [4]. (2014). Wrist tendon pain usually goes away with rest, medication, injections or splinting. fever or chills. Immediately after the incident, Mr. H. washed his wounds with soap and water, applied antibiotic ointment, and took ibuprofen for pain relief. Though cats are soft and cuddly, they may bite or scratch when theyre spooked. Human and animal bites. If you notice any redness, swelling, discharge from the wound, increasing pain, or difficulty moving the hand, seek emergency care. Though these injuries are typically not life-threatening. (2016). If you cant capture the cat, you might need to start rabies vaccination as a precaution. Wear thick protective gloves when handling an injured or stray cat. ANZ J Surg. As for Mr. Bink's, she said they are still on good terms, but things have changed. Privacy Policy Discomfort. "The bites lead to serious infections that can require multiple hospitalizations, antibiotics and sometimes surgery," Carlsen said. Polymers (Basel). Its not something you want to take any chances with. and thats just where most people get bitten by cats. How do you know if a cat bite is infected? I now fear joint or bone or tendon . Rabies is caused by a virus and can be transmitted by bites and scratches from an infected animal, often a dog. "A bite on the thigh probably isn't an issue because the cat probably just bites the fat," Carlsen said. and In almost all states, a cat that has bitten a human or another domestic animal must undergo a mandatory 10-day quarantine period. sharing sensitive information, make sure youre on a federal 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. "We don't play like we used to," Bothun said. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there are only 1 to 3 cases in the United States each year. any link with venom from cat bite affecting central nervous system? Small but deep punctures there led to a higher risk of hospitalization than bites into soft tissue, according to the study. If the wound is bleeding, dont stop blood flow; in fact, try to encourage bleeding by gently pressing the area around the wound. Arnica, a homeopathic remedy, can help prevent bruising, and Ledum can help prevent infection. doi: 10.2106/JBJS.OA.21.00084. He graduated magna cum laude with a degree in biological sciences from. Brandon P. Donnelly, MD is not liable or responsible for any advice, course of treatment, diagnosis or any other information, services or product you obtain through this site. Infections occur as a result of a combination of the oral flora of the animal and the human skin flora.