Mr. Hs medical history included hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, and tobacco abuse. Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open. The information shared in this article is not a substitute for medical care. Cat bite: An unusual cause of foot drop. Read all about risks and treatment for a cat bite. - dog bite: - consider viridans strep, pasteurella multocida, bacteroides, fusobacterium, capnocytophaga; - prophylactic treatment: augmentin / amoxicillin or with allergy ( cipro + clindamycin) Epub 2022 Jul 20. The treatment of such infections often requires hospitalization, intravenous antibiotic therapy, and operative treatment. Cat bites are about twice as likely as dog bites to get infected. If you do get a cat bite, youll likely find out pretty quickly if its going to get infected. Protected from the immune system, a cat bite infection can rapidly spread. Small but deep punctures there led to a higher risk of hospitalization than bites into soft tissue, according to the study. [Polymicrobial osteomyelitis on the limb of the hand after a cat bite]. 2006 Mar;31(3):468-73. doi: 10.1016/j.jhsa.2005.12.011. The pain almost drove me up the wall.". Acute carpal tunnel syndrome of the hand following a cat bite. 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. Tendon and tissue damage. Any time the skin is punctured, you will experience some level of discomfort, but this initial pain should subside. If you have been bitten by a cat, seeyour doctor or visit anurgent care facility. What to do? It has to pierce deep enough to get into the muscle where there is a good amount of blood flow. Mr. H. was then sent for immediate orthopedic surgical evaluation. A peripherally inserted central catheter line was placed and IV ceftriaxone (Rocephin) administered. red streaks that run up your hand and arm. Pet owners must be made aware of the seriousness of a cat bite. This data suggests that a lot of cat bites come when petting or interacting with cats. "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. Cats carry many bacteria in their mouths capable of causing infections in bite wounds. Dog and cat bites to the hand: treatment and cost assessment. In areas where MRSA is prevalent, trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole, clindamycin, doxycycline, or linezolid should be used instead of a cephalosporin. Through this website and links to other websites, Brandon P. Donnelly, MD provides general information for educational purposes only. doi: 10.1097/GOX.0000000000003778. Two thirds of those hospitalized during the study required surgery to flush out the infection in the wounds and middle-aged women were the most common bite victims. Pain worsening significantly with motion suggests infection of a joint or tendon sheath. doi: 10.7759/cureus.9357. 4th ed., Gainesville Fla.: Barmarrae Books; 2003. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there are only 1 to 3 cases in the United States each year. Disclaimer. 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. This then causes the wound to potentially close up around the bacteria, which can lead to an infection. Dog bites take about twice as long to set in. Of the hospitalized patients, 67% (n = 38) underwent irrigation and debridement, with 8 patients requiring more than 1 operation. 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. Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available. Learn more about rabies in humans here. July 2012 edited July 2012. Practical Review of the Management of Animal Bites. Data included patient demographics, anatomical site of injury, microbiology results, method of treatment and surgical outcome. 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. They can seed bacteria in the joint and tendon sheaths. Cat bites create narrow, deep puncture wounds. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our. Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy, Study shows 1 in 3 people who sought medical treatment for a cat bite on the hand were hospitalized, Most common cat bite victims are middle-age women. left hand was severely bitten by a cat that animal control brought in. (2017). 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. He graduated magna cum laude with a degree in biological sciences fromCornell University. In more extreme cases, redirected aggression can cause a cat to lash out at her guardian and cause severe damage. more serious symptoms of an infection, such as fever or muscle weakness. Wrist Tendonitis; DeQuervain's Tendonitis; Carpal Boss; Wrist Fractures; Distal Radius Fracture of the Wrist; Scaphoid Fractures of the wrist . Source: Bacteriologic Analysis of Infected Dog and Cat Bites. Cat bites are more frequent in the mornings, in the summer, and in spring [4]. government site. When you think about being bitten by an animal, smaller is better, right? Please enable it to take advantage of the complete set of features! Our website services, content, and products are for informational purposes only. 2006 Mar;31(3):468-73. doi: 10.1016/j.jhsa.2005.12.011. Complications included nerve involvement, abscesses and loss of joint mobility. 'A cat bite is much worse than a dog or rat bite. Can taking antioxidants protect you against cancer? A small puncture wound, particularly from a human or cat bite, may involve significant injury to the tendon, joint capsule, or articular cartilage. J Plast Surg Hand Surg. [Sepsis after cat bite-How medical history, physical examination and interdisciplinary cooperation influence disease progression]. 2014 Feb;39(2):286-90. doi: 10.1016/j.jhsa.2013.11.003. If left untreated, infections can potentially lead to scarring, tissue loss, or even life threatening sepsis. Their razor-sharp teeth and nails can puncture deeply, sometimes penetrating tissues, ligaments and tendons. Bethesda, MD 20894, Web Policies While all bites carry bacteria, your body manages to fend off most infections from dog bites. Cats bite for a variety of reasons. Lesions caused by human and domestic and wild animal bites. Obviously, the best bite is the one that has been prevented. Dont try to capture the cat yourself. No drainage, fever, chills, shortness of breath, chest pain, or wheeze was reported. 2021 Sep 9;9(9):e3778. The subjects were 18 females and two males aged 27-86 years (mean age of 58 years). 2006;31:468-473. There was full range of motion in the right wrist and all other digits of the right hand. Mr. Hs right-hand wounds were cleansed with antibacterial soap, betadine wash, and sterile water rinse. Victims should be especially concerned about the risk of a cat bite infection if they develop swelling or inflamed skin. "A bite on the thigh probably isn't an issue because the cat probably just bites the fat," Carlsen said. The wrist or any joint in the fingers are usually the. If you cant capture the cat, you might need to start rabies vaccination as a precaution. The patients involved in the study were all bitten on the hand. Identifying Bug Bites and Stings, and How To Treat Them. Weber DJ, Wolfson JS, Swartz MN, Hooper DC. Most domestic cats are already vaccinated against rabies. 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). It may be painful or tender when touched or pressed. However, they can also bite or scratch if spooked or if they get defensive. If the patient is allergic to penicillin, clindamycin 300 mg orally every 6 hours can be used. As your body works to fight the bacteria in the cat bite, you may develop a fever. eCollection 2022 Jan-Mar. Numbness, pain and weakness may be symptoms of it. When you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. In severe cases, surgery may be required to clean out the infected areas. what holidays is belk closed; is lamarca prosecco vegan; Puncture wounds from a cat bite have a high risk of infection. COVID-19 Screening in the Pediatric Emergency Department. Cats have thin sharp teeth that dig into skin and drive bacteria deep into the wound. Dog and cat bites to the hand: treatment and cost assessment. Another SOLID Site, WALANT | Wide Awake Local Anesthesia No Tourniquet. We do not control or have responsibility for the content of any third-party site. Serious complications include infectious arthritis Acute Infectious Arthritis Acute infectious (septic) arthritis is a joint infection that evolves over hours or days. A doctor will likely prescribe antibiotics to fight off the infection. You should also teach children how to properly handle pets and to make sure they arent doing anything to unintentionally hurt or scare a cat. Report of 34 cases and review of the literature. Mr. H noted a progression of redness and swelling over the past three days, and admitted inconsistent use of the sling. What are are the Differences between Cat and Dog Bites? 2006 Nov-Dec;106(6):692-5. doi: 10.1080/00015458.2006.11679983. Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone. Wash the wound thoroughly with soap and water and cover with a sterile bandage. A more serious infection may lead to pus or what looks like red streaks down your skin and may cause fever. If your cats get into a serious scuffle, use a blanket or sturdy piece of cardboard to try to separate them. Rabies is caused by a virus and can be transmitted by bites and scratches from an infected animal, often a dog. 1. 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. Monitor the area over the following few days for any usual symptoms or pain. Cats can also injure their tendons or ligaments slowly over time as a result of repetitive straining, overexertion, or fatigue. Epub 2019 Jul 9. "The bites lead to serious infections that can require multiple hospitalizations, antibiotics and sometimes surgery," Carlsen said. 20 . Keywords: FOIA . Unlike other animal bites, which can tear flesh and even break bones, these deeper wounds are much harder to clean. 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? 1. for 10 days. 2022 Dec 16;55:e0372-2022. Before 8600 Rockville Pike "Cats' teeth are sharp and can penetrate very deeply. (2014). 2023 USA TODAY, a division of Gannett Satellite Information Network, LLC. Within a couple of hours the area was in severe pain, swollen, and red. Misunderstanding this risk has led to a worrying number of hospitalizations, as patients require surgery to clean wounds or remove tissue thats become infected. Do not allow kittens and young cats to play with your hands. 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. Kittens bite, mouth, and paw things to explore their worldthey're all natural behaviors. You may have to try a few different chemical and nonchemical approaches to get rid of bedbugs, especially if you have a large infestation. 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. Immunocompromised people are at a higher risk of developing a severe infection from these bacteria. HHS Vulnerability Disclosure, Help If you decide to delay medical care, watch closely for signs of infection. Twenty cases of cat bites to the hand and wrist were retrospectively reviewed between 2014 and 2018. Benson LS, Edwards SL, Schiff AP, Williams CS, Visotsky JL. 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. There was limited range of motion at the PIP joint on the second digit. 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. Theres also the risk that a cats teeth will break off during a bite and need to be extracted. A recent Mayo Clinic study shows that one out of three people who sought treatment for a cat bite to the hand were hospitalized. for three to five days. Epidemiology Cat bites with infections can become not only painful, but also red or discolored, and swollen. Eleven patients (Group A) were presented within 48 hours of their injury. Benson LS, Edwards SL, Schiff AP, et al. Bothun said she waited one week after her black cat, Mr. Binks, bit her hand to go to Saint Mary's Hospital, part of the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. As for Mr. Bink's, she said they are still on good terms, but things have changed. Pasteurella species was isolated from 35% of infected wounds. fever or chills. Cureus is on a mission to change the long-standing paradigm of medical publishing, where submitting research can be costly, complex and time-consuming. Infected Cat Bite On The Wrist Photograph by Dr P. Marazzi/science from fineartamerica.com. 1984 May;63(3):133-54. 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. - The management of bite wounds in children--A retrospective analysis at a level I trauma centre . Deep puncture wounds from animal bites become morbid if not promptly tended and closely followed. Musculoskeletal and Connective Tissue Disorders, Amoxil, Dispermox, Moxatag, Moxilin , Sumox, Trimox, Biocef, Daxbia , Keflex, Keftab, Panixine, Cleocin, Cleocin Ovules, Cleocin Pediatric, Cleocin T, CLIN, Clindacin ETZ, Clindacin-P, Clinda-Derm , Clindagel, ClindaMax, ClindaReach, Clindesse, Clindets, Evoclin, PledgaClin, XACIATO, Acticlate, Adoxa, Adoxa Pak, Avidoxy, Doryx, Doxal, Doxy 100, LYMEPAK, Mondoxyne NL, Monodox, Morgidox 1x, Morgidox 2x , Okebo, Oracea, Oraxyl, Periostat, TARGADOX, Vibramycin, Vibra-Tabs. 0. 2021 Aug;70(8):639-643. doi: 10.1007/s00101-021-01003-9. Careers. (See also complex read more .). eCollection 2022. Data included patient demographics, anatomical site of injury, microbiology results, method of treatment and surgical outcome. The condition can cause pain when you grip and lift objects or move your wrist or fingers. Copyright 2023 Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA and its affiliates. 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. Its not something you want to take any chances with. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in any form without prior authorization. Cat scratch disease (CSD) (also known as cat scratch fever) is an infection caused by the bacteria Bartonella henselae. eCollection 2021 Nov. Savu AN, Schoenbrunner AR, Politi R, Janis JE. Privacy Policy Pontchartrain Orthopedics and Sports Medicine, Louisiana State University (LSU) Health Sciences Center. Infections occur as a result of a combination of the oral flora of the animal and the human skin flora. 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 Frost Bite most commonly injures your ears and nose. The right arm was placed in a sling for elevation of the extremity. Kanavel's Signs: This site needs JavaScript to work properly. 2005 - 2023 WebMD LLC. He said people tend to ignore cat bites because they are so small, but they can lead to a laundry list of medical treatments. Mr. H was sent to radiology for an x-ray to rule out fracture, dislocation, and signs of osteomyelitis. J Hand Surg Am. (2021). Debridement including removal of foreign material associated with open fractures and or dislocations; skin, subcutaneous tissue, muscle fascia, muscle, and bone (11012) Debridement; skin, subcutaneous tissue, and muscle (11043) Debridement; skin, subcutaneous tissue, muscle, and bone (11044) Excisional preparation or creation of recipient site . 2002 Jan;34(1):22-9. doi: 10.1055/s-2002-22103. First, be sure to clean the wound. Your use of this website constitutes acceptance of Haymarket Medias Privacy Policy and Terms & Conditions. . The information in this post is not a substitute for medical care. In severe cases, surgery may be . While all bites carry bacteria, your body manages to fend off most infections from dog bites. It can be caused by overuse and repetitive movements like texting, playing video games, or writing. 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. Current medications included lisinopril 10 mg daily and pravastatin 20 mg daily. Wound cultures were significant for Pasteurella multocida. 2019 Dec;53(6):341-346. doi: 10.1080/2000656X.2019.1637750. Joint spaces were preserved, and bony structures were in good alignment. While some cat bites may heal without causing infection, it is recommended that you seek medical attention for all cat bites. Unable to load your collection due to an error, Unable to load your delegates due to an error. Your physician may also recommend a tetanus shot. One of the more common is a highly pathogenic bacterium, Pasteurella multocida. Use OR to account for alternate terms Diagnosis is made clinically by physical examination and performing various provocative tests depending on the location of the injury. According to Poison Control, CSD is usually not serious, but people with weakened immune systems are at risk of developing a more serious infection. He was on day three of Augmentin and taking it as directed. o [ abdominal pain pediatric ] About half the patients visited an emergency room, while the rest went to their primary-care physician. . J Hand Surg Am. S61.451A is a billable/specific ICD-10-CM code that can be used to indicate a diagnosis for reimbursement purposes. Osteomyelitis following domestic animal bites to the hand: Two case reports and practical guidelines. Infections of Deep Hand and Wrist Compartments. Puncture wounds tend to heal quickly, but a very deep bite can leave a scar. Mr. H, age 45 years, presented to the clinic following a cat bite to his right hand 14 hours prior. Keywords: (2015). MeSH terms Adult Aged If the cat's tooth reached your finger's tendon, it can be very difficult for your body to beat the infection. Accessibility 2022 Oct;35(5):498-499. doi: 10.37201/req/009.2022. 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. Cat bites can results in mild scarring, the raised area is probably a little scar tissue settling down. Clinical Guidelines in Family Practice. Handchir Mikrochir Plast Chir. Erythema and pain localized to the bite suggest infection. Its really just a function of their slender, sharp fangs. Use for phrases Eikenella corrodens is often seen with human bite injuries and Pasteurella multocida is seen with dog and especially cat bite wounds. Lim JS, et al. 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. Clean bite wounds thoroughly with soap and water. A doctor may give you a tetanus vaccine booster if you havent had a tetanus vaccine in the last 5 years. Wounds are not closed after initial treatment so that any . For 14 percent of these patients, outpatient treatment with antibiotics didn't work and they needed to be hospitalized. Please confirm that you are a health care professional. You should be especially careful if the wound is around your wrist area. Cat bites need to be taken seriously and carefully evaluated by doctors, the study authors said. Sbai MA, et al. loss of mobility in your finger or hand. Once trapped under the skin, these bacteria spread and multiply, causing infection and inflammation (cellulitis) of the surrounding soft tissues. Cat bites can also lead to bone infection, and in extreme cases, septic shock, which is a life-threatening condition. He described severe nonradiating pain to his right hand and second digit unrelieved by Vicodin or Naprosyn. The warm and dark inner layers of your skin are optimal for the growth of the bacteria. Dont use harsh disinfectants or chemicals to clean the wound, as they may harm tissue and slow down healing. Most cat bites are treated with antibiotics, with penicillin being the most commonly used drug. Conclusions: Cat bite injuries to the hand can progress to serious infection. Fever that lasts for several days after a cat scratch or bite. National Library of Medicine If you know the cat thats bitten you has a rabies vaccine, its unlikely that youll contract rabies. Two-third of those hospitalized needed surgery. 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. Review: The Cat in the Window And Other Stories of the Cats We Love. He is currently an Assistant Professor of Orthopedic Surgery at Louisiana State University (LSU) Health Sciences Center. "When my grandkids come over I don't let him around them, because things happen.". A serious infection can develop 24-48 hours after being bitten. On physical examination, BP was 118/80, pulse 106, respiratory rate 20 breaths per minute, temperature 99.9F, and pulse oxygenation 98%. Mean length of hospital stay was 3.4 days in Group A, and 9.2 days in Group B, (p < .01). del Mar Amador M, et al. . 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.