Cat bites can lead to infection because they can leave behind a deep wound that heals quickly, trapping bacteria inside. A person should take a cat bite seriously if it occurs.
You should see a physician as soon as possible. Most cat bite wounds are small punctures that drive pathogenic bacteria deep into the skin. Left untreated, a serious infection can develop within 24 to 48 hours.
Tetanus immunization — Tetanus is a serious, potentially life-threatening infection that can be transmitted by an animal or human bite. Adults who are bitten should receive a tetanus vaccine (called a tetanus toxoid vaccine) if the most recent tetanus vaccine was greater than 5 years previously.
Many medical professionals recommend seeking treatment within 24 hours of the bite, but there are some situations in which visiting the emergency room may be best. These are some signs that you should seek immediate medical attention: Excessive bleeding. Extreme pain.
After being bitten, most people who become ill will show symptoms within 3 to 5 days, but this can range anywhere from 1 to 14 days. Most Capnocytophaga infections usually occur with dog or cat bites. But some people who develop a Capnocytophaga infection have not been bitten.
Cat bites also typically cause puncture wounds and contain Pasteurella multocida in about 50% to 75% of cases, as well as other aerobes and anaerobes, including S aureus (4). Between 3% to 18% of dog bites become infected versus 28% to 80% of cat bites (2,4-13).
In elderly patients, especially when affected by other comorbidities, cat bites can lead to local complications or even to a Pasteurella multocida sepsis, the latter being an unusual, albeit severe condition.
Unfortunately, cat bite wounds are a very common injury that I treat. It is imperative that your cat be evaluated by a veterinarian and treated with antibiotics immediately. If left untreated, these wounds can result in serious complications and illness.
These are the most common symptoms of cat scratch disease: A cat bite or scratch that becomes reddened or swollen within a few days and does not heal or worsens over time. Painful or swollen glands, especially under the arms (if scratched on the arm or hand), or in the groin (if scratched on the foot or leg)
Clinical infection after a cat bite is mostly characterized by acute onset of erythema, swelling and intense pain within 24 hours of initial injury in 70% of patients and by 48 hours in almost 90% of cases [5].
Small animal bites and scratches typically don't need medical treatment, although they should be kept clean. Most often these injuries aren't serious and will heal on their own. If an animal bite or scratch was caused by a rabies-carrying species (see rabies information below), immediate veterinary care is recommended.
Briefly, infected bites will often appear red and swollen. It may be painful or tender when touched or pressed. A more serious infection may lead to pus or what looks like red streaks down your skin and may cause fever.
Amoxicillin and clavulanate (Augmentin)
Amoxicillin and clavulanate is first-line therapy for the prophylactic treatment of dog, human, and cat bites (see Medication Summary above).
Sometimes, direct tissue damage from the cat bite can impair mobility or cause tenosynovitis or arthritis. In these cases, surgical consultation is needed to assess severity. Some unusual complications, like deep-vein thrombosis, subcutaneous emphysema and fetal tachycardia have been described.
Always get medical attention for cat bites on the hand. They are highly likely to become infected. Most wounds heal within 10 days.
Wounds may be closed if cosmetically favorable, such as wounds on the face or gaping wounds. Antibiotic prophylaxis should be considered, especially if there is a high risk of infection, such as with cat bites, with puncture wounds, with wounds to the hand, and in persons who are immunosuppressed.
When people suspect that their bites are infected, they should go to the ER immediately. It often only takes a few hours for signs of infection to appear.
A healthy dog, cat, or ferret that bites a person should be confined and observed daily for 10 days. Confinement should be performed in coordination with public health authorities.
You may need a tetanus vaccine if the injury has broken your skin and your tetanus vaccinations are not up to date. Tetanus is a serious but rare condition that can be fatal if untreated. The bacteria that can cause tetanus can enter your body through a wound or cut in your skin.
Conclusions: Cat bite injuries to the hand can progress to serious infection. The treatment of such infections often requires hospitalization, intravenous antibiotic therapy, and operative treatment.
While living an indoor lifestyle is certainly safer overall than living outdoors, and indoor living contributes to a longer life expectancy, important infectious diseases can find indoor cats. Feline rhinotracheitis virus, feline calici virus, and feline panleukopenia virus make up the feline distemper complex.