A cat bite is quite common and should always be treated by a doctor. MeSH Read more about types of bites, symptoms, and treatments. Please confirm that you are a health care professional. Before joining Pontchartrain Orthopedics and Sports Medicine, he completed a hand and microsurgery fellowship at the prestigiousPhiladelphia Hand Center. The PubMed wordmark and PubMed logo are registered trademarks of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Benson LS, Edwards SL, Schiff AP, Williams CS, Visotsky JL. Ms. Henderson is a family nurse practitioner at Wheaton Franciscan HealthcareAll Saints in Racine, Wisc. "We don't play like we used to," Bothun said. When a cat lands on the ground incorrectly after jumping, the ligaments and tendons are at risk of tearing, rupturing or breaking down over time. and thats just where most people get bitten by cats. and transmitted securely. any link with venom from cat bite affecting central nervous system? 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. Risk factors associated with hospitalization included smoking, immunocompromised state, and location of bite over a joint or tendon sheath. Clean bite wounds thoroughly with soap and water. Accessibility Epub 2021 Jul 2. This means that the cat's saliva has a chance to enter the sealed-off areas of joints and tendons, which make a prime breeding ground for the . You can contract cat scratch fever from cats infected with Bartonella henselae bacteria. what holidays is belk closed; is lamarca prosecco vegan; Dog and cat bites to the hand: treatment and cost assessment. Most domestic cats are already vaccinated against rabies. While all bites carry bacteria, your body manages to fend off most infections from dog bites. Of these, 78% (n = 7) underwent multiple operations secondary to septic arthritis, osteomyelitis, necrotising fasciitis and deep collection. The average time people waited between getting bitten and seeking treatment was 27 hours. The second digit of the right hand was mildly edematous with five nondraining puncture wounds noted: two puncture wounds located between the proximal interphalangeal (PIP) and metacarpophalangeal joint of the second digit and three on the palmar aspect of the right hand. They can seed bacteria in the joint and tendon sheaths. eCollection 2022. Can low vitamin D increase risk of cancer? He described severe nonradiating pain to his right hand and second digit unrelieved by Vicodin or Naprosyn. Cureus is on a mission to change the long-standing paradigm of medical publishing, where submitting research can be costly, complex and time-consuming. The .gov means its official. Once symptoms are present, rabies is typically fatal. Our website services, content, and products are for informational purposes only. 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. This is particularly true when patients develop inflamed skin and swelling. sharing sensitive information, make sure youre on a federal A small puncture wound, particularly from a human or cat bite, may involve significant injury to the tendon, joint capsule, or articular cartilage. [Hyatt, 2017] Patients often present 2-5 days after an injury. A red area around a cat scratch or bite that continues to get bigger for more than 2 days after the injury. Cat and dog bites. Pain worsening significantly with motion suggests infection of a joint or tendon sheath. Cats bite for a variety of reasons. Recovery could take four to six months. Cat Bite Cellulitis Nadia F. from ePlasty. 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. Microorganisms. In more extreme cases, redirected aggression can cause a cat to lash out at her guardian and cause severe damage. Infection in these tissues can be very painful and difficult to treat. The site is secure. 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. SEE MORE: Symptoms of Infected Cat Bite and Steps To Take For A Cat Bite. FOIA government site. No fever, chills, shortness of breath, cough, wheeze, chest pain, or palpitations were reported. Even though they dont look like much, a cats pinpoint bite marks can inject bacteria deeply into skin and joints, opening the door for a serious infection. Use for phrases Please note that by doing so you agree to be added to our monthly email newsletter distribution list. If the cat who bit you was not current on his rabies vaccination or was a stray with unknown vaccination status, you may need to undergo prophylactic treatment for rabies. Review: The Cat in the Window And Other Stories of the Cats We Love. 2014 Feb;39(2):286-90. doi: 10.1016/j.jhsa.2013.11.003. 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. He said people tend to ignore cat bites because they are so small, but they can lead to a laundry list of medical treatments. 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. They may take a culture swab to help identify the type of bacteria causing the infection. Wrist tendonitis is irritation and inflammation of the tendons at the wrist joint. for two weeks. Common symptoms are localized bone pain and tenderness with constitutional symptoms (in acute read more . National Library of Medicine Patient demographics, medical history, physical examination findings, laboratory values, and long-term follow-up data were collected. Some people need surgery, though. A fever is considered a temperature of 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. The patient was able to return to work. ", SOURCE: Mayo Clinic, news release, Feb. 5, 2014. Uphold CR, Graham MV. This site needs JavaScript to work properly. Clinical findings suggestive of the need for hospitalization include location of the bite over a joint or tendon sheath, erythema, pain, and swelling. ANZ J Surg. Healthline Media does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Apply an antibiotic ointment and cover with a non-stick bandage. Wrist Tendonitis; DeQuervain's Tendonitis; Carpal Boss; Wrist Fractures; Distal Radius Fracture of the Wrist; Scaphoid Fractures of the wrist; Elbow. A dogs powerful jaws and blunt teeth tend to leave a larger wound, but they dont penetrate as deeply. Emergency Medicine 46 years experience. del Mar Amador M, et al. While most bug bites cause only mild symptoms, some bug bites can transmit disease. Read all about risks and treatment for a cat bite. Weber DJ, Wolfson JS, Swartz MN, Hooper DC. At six-weeks postoperative, Mr. H had full range of motion and increased strength in the right hand. Would you like email updates of new search results? Methods: Identifying Bug Bites and Stings, and How To Treat Them. Unauthorized use of these marks is strictly prohibited. Cats, like many other mammals, can carry rabies. (2016). Diagnosis is made clinically by physical examination and performing various provocative tests depending on the location of the injury. The oral flora of humans includes Eikenella corrodens, staphylococci, streptococci, and anaerobes. fever or chills. eCollection 2021 Sep. Strwald Y, Erdle B, Busch P, Kalbhenn J, Bansbach J. Anaesthesist. Can Vitamin E protect against heart disease. How do you know if a cat bite is infected? reported a staggering 28-80 percent cat bite infection rate. It can happen even with the most loving, docile cat: an overexcited cat nips her guardian while playing, or accidentally bites her guardians finger while accepting a treat. Adult cats bite out of fear, to assert dominance, or to demand attention. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there are only 1 to 3 cases in the United States each year. Small but deep punctures there led to a higher risk of hospitalization than bites into soft tissue, according to the study. In fact, a 2013 research review showed that Pasteurella is the most common organism isolated from both cat and dog bites. Additionally, cats mouths carry a large number of bacteria which can cause serious infections in bite wounds. INTRODUCTION. Painful and swollen lymph nodes for more than 2 or 3 weeks. Immediately after the incident, Mr. H. washed his wounds with soap and water, applied antibiotic ointment, and took ibuprofen for pain relief. Tendon rupture: When a tendon separates from the tissue, in part or completely, it is supposed to be attached to, a tendon rupture occurs. I now fear joint or bone or tendon . Do not allow kittens and young cats to play with your hands. ", "It can be just a pinpoint bite mark that can cause a real problem," he said, "because the bacteria get into the tendon sheath or into the joint where they can grow with relative protection from the blood and immune system.". Cat bites are typically puncture wounds that penetrate deeply into the skin and underlying tissues [2] with infection rates of up to 50% [4]. Obviously, the best bite is the one that has been prevented. . [Sepsis after cat bite-How medical history, physical examination and interdisciplinary cooperation influence disease progression]. According to the study patients with bites directly over the wrist or any joint have a higher risk of hospitalization. The best way to know if youre dealing with bedbugs is to look for evidence of them in your home. for 10 days. When you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. Give them time to calm down before approaching them. If you notice any redness, swelling, discharge from the wound, increasing pain, or difficulty moving the hand, seek emergency care. . A peripherally inserted central catheter line was placed and IV ceftriaxone (Rocephin) administered. Learn more about rabies in humans here. Small but deep punctures there led to a higher risk of hospitalization than bites into soft tissue, according to the study. Results were negative for fracture, dislocation, and lytic or blastic lesions. Bula-Rudas FJ, et al. Use OR to account for alternate terms If the cat is healthy after 10 days, there is no risk to the person who was bitten. 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). You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our.