doi: 10.2106/JBJS.OA.21.00084. eCollection 2021 Nov. Savu AN, Schoenbrunner AR, Politi R, Janis JE. 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 Nerve injury: It's possible for the nerves to be damaged when a cat bites you. Methods: 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. Occasionally an infection can cause tendinitis, especially infection from a cat or dog bite to the hand or a finger. Weber DJ, Wolfson JS, Swartz MN, Hooper DC. About half the patients visited an emergency room, while the rest went to their primary-care physician. 2022 Dec 16;55:e0372-2022. "The bites lead to serious infections that can require multiple hospitalizations, antibiotics and sometimes surgery," Carlsen said. 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 . Mr. Hs medical history included hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, and tobacco abuse. Copyright 2023 Haymarket Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved ", SOURCE: Mayo Clinic, news release, Feb. 5, 2014. It has to pierce deep enough to get into the muscle where there is a good amount of blood flow. Unauthorized use of these marks is strictly prohibited. Clinical findings suggestive of the need for hospitalization include location of the bite over a joint or tendon sheath, erythema, pain, and swelling. . Cat bites to the hand are so dangerous, 1 in 3 patients with such wounds had to be hospitalized, a Mayo Clinic study covering three years showed. 2023 USA TODAY, a division of Gannett Satellite Information Network, LLC. A prescription was given prophylactically for amoxicillin (Augmentin) 875 mg one orally b.i.d. [Hyatt, 2017] PFT is a clinical diagnosis!! doi: 10.7759/cureus.9357. Cureus | Rapidly Progressive Infection of Hand After a Cat Bite Would you like email updates of new search results? Cat Bite Injuries to Humans | VCA Animal Hospital Read More, The Conscious Cat Product Guide features all of the best products for cats and cat lovers. PMC And your cat loves you (in its own fashion). . While all bites carry bacteria, your body manages to fend off most infections from dog bites. 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. Domestic cat bites are common and are often treated by simple wound care with good outcome. Benson LS, Edwards SL, Schiff AP, et al. - dog bite: - consider viridans strep, pasteurella multocida, bacteroides, fusobacterium, capnocytophaga; - prophylactic treatment: augmentin / amoxicillin or with allergy ( cipro + clindamycin) 'A cat bite is much worse than a dog or rat bite. Infectious tenosynovitis - UpToDate 8600 Rockville Pike You can contract cat scratch fever from cats infected with Bartonella henselae bacteria. ", "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.". The trusted provider of medical information since 1899, Overview and Evaluation of Hand Disorders, Digital Flexor Tendinitis and Tenosynovitis (Trigger Finger), Last review/revision Apr 2022 | Modified Sep 2022. Moggie lovers beware! One bite from a cat can put you on the critical Animal bites that dont break your skin, as well as scratches that just graze the surface of your skin, have a minimal risk of infection. Deep puncture wounds from animal bites become morbid if not promptly tended and closely followed. Swelling from cat bite how long will it last - HealthTap Keywords: If you have been bitten by a cat, seeyour doctor or visit anurgent care facility. Pain worsening significantly with motion suggests infection of a joint or tendon sheath. Infections of the Hand and Wrist - Hand Specialists in Western Mass 2021 Sep 9;9(9):e3778. The average time people waited between getting bitten and seeking treatment was 27 hours. Therapeutic III. The puncture hole can quickly seal over and trap bacteria from the cats mouth under your skin. There are a few people, that develop severe allergic reactions to flea bites and can get irritated by a single bite. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there are only 1 to 3 cases in the United States each year. Bookshelf When cats bite: One in three patients bitten in hand hospitalized The PubMed wordmark and PubMed logo are registered trademarks of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). del Mar Amador M, et al. cat bites Pasteurella (most common, 70-80% of cat bite infections) Pasteurella multocida and Pasteurella septica causes intense pain, swelling in 48h other organisms similar to dog bites Associated conditions secondary bacterial infection most bites do not become infected risk factors for infection bite to hand, foot, or major joint There were no signs of infection and no pain. Use soap and water or an antiseptic such as hydrogen peroxide or alcohol. "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. "The infection from the cat bite reached my tendon," Bothun said. Conscious Cat is reader-supported. Wrist Tendonitis Signs, Causes, and Treatments - Verywell Health - Know You need to remove the . Wrist Tendonitis: Symptoms, Causes & Treatment - Cleveland Clinic He was on day three of Augmentin and taking it as directed. Dutton LK, Hinchcliff KM, Logli AL, Mallett KE, Suh GA, Rizzo M. JB JS Open Access. 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? Cats, like many other mammals, can carry rabies. . From furniture, scratching posts, beds and toys to food dishes and litter boxes, youll find everything you need for your feline family members.View the Product Guide. Animal bites on your hand and fingers are common, especially from pets like dogs and cats. There was minimal pain and bleeding. First, be sure to clean the wound. 2002 Jan;34(1):22-9. doi: 10.1055/s-2002-22103. (See also Overview and Evaluation of Hand Disorders Overview and Evaluation of Hand Disorders Common hand disorders include a variety of deformities, ganglia, infections, Kienbck disease, nerve compression syndromes, noninfectious tenosynovitis, and osteoarthritis. Nelson CA, et al. While five- to nine-year-old males are the. Before And while cuts. Wounds are not closed after initial treatment so that any . In rare cases, these infections can be fatal. Immediately wash the wound under running water. 2020 Jun 3;8(6):838. doi: 10.3390/microorganisms8060838. When a cat bites, it may not seem like a big deal it can be cute when theyre playing but some cat bites can pose significant health risks. Some people need surgery, though. Before 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. 7 Cat Bite Infection Symptoms You Shouldn't Ignore - LoveToKnow Relatively few bites occur on the leg (9%) suggesting that walking away from a frightened cat may be a good strategy. Briefly, infected bites will often appear red and swollen. Copyright 2014 American Society for Surgery of the Hand. An official website of the United States government. Serious complications include infectious arthritis Acute Infectious Arthritis Acute infectious (septic) arthritis is a joint infection that evolves over hours or days. a tendon lesion or a purulent flexor . Cat bite infections of the hand: assessment of morbidity and predictors of severe infection. Not all cat bites lead to infection, but enough do to warrant caution. Use interactive toys to play with your cat instead. Cat Bite, extreme pain, swelling, numbess | Pet Allergies discussions The family cat lunged at him and bit and scratched his hand. Preoperative Antibiotics Influence Culture Yield in the Treatment of Hand, Wrist, and Forearm Infections. He described severe nonradiating pain to his right hand and second digit unrelieved by Vicodin or Naprosyn. Mr. Hs right-hand wounds were cleansed with antibacterial soap, betadine wash, and sterile water rinse. All rights reserved. When cats do bite, the majority of the time it's a bite on the hand or the wrist. Small but deep punctures there led to a higher risk of hospitalization than bites into soft tissue, according to the study. Acute carpal tunnel syndrome of the hand following a cat bite. You may have to try a few different chemical and nonchemical approaches to get rid of bedbugs, especially if you have a large infestation. If youre bitten by a stray, it may be necessary to capture the animal so it can be observed. Cat scratch disease (CSD) (also known as cat scratch fever) is an infection caused by the bacteria Bartonella henselae. The bites can even be so deep that they damage a victim's nerves, tendons and . 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%. Complications were common among these patients. No fever, chills, shortness of breath, cough, wheeze, chest pain, or palpitations were reported. 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. Tendinitis - WebMD (2016). A fever is considered a temperature of 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. 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. Read more about types of bites, symptoms, and treatments. Watch the area carefully to see if there are signs of damaged nerves or tendons. At the hand, where cats most often bite . Mr. H was unable to perform full flexion of the second digit. Its recommended that you have a tetanus booster after a cat bite if its been more than 5 years since youve had the vaccine. "Every time they would stitch me up after flushing the wound, the infection would just get worse. . A recent Mayo Clinic study shows that one out of three people who sought treatment for a cat bite to the hand were hospitalized. in New Orleans, where he was awarded the Orthopedic Surgery award. It can be caused by overuse and repetitive movements like texting, playing video games, or writing. The link you have selected will take you to a third-party website. for three to five days or one double-strength trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole tablet b.i.d. Your physician may also recommend a tetanus shot. 1. Obviously, the best bite is the one that has been prevented. However, play it safe by washing the area thoroughly with soap and water. Wrist tendinitis (tendonitis) is inflammation in the tendons that connect your lower arm to the bones in your fingers. Thirty percent (n = 57) of patients with cat bites to the hand were hospitalized. . Of these, 78% (n = 7) underwent multiple operations secondary to septic arthritis, osteomyelitis, necrotising fasciitis and deep collection. NCI CPTC Antibody Characterization Program. They can seed bacteria in the joint and tendon sheaths. 1984 May;63(3):133-54. Cats can also injure their tendons or ligaments slowly over time as a result of repetitive straining, overexertion, or fatigue. "Every time they would stitch me up after flushing the wound the infection would just get worse. Sbai MA, et al. The pain almost drove me up the . ANZ J Surg. Millions of people are bitten by animals every year, mainly by dogs. Cat-Scratch Disease: Causes, Prevention, and Treatment - familydoctor.org Cat Bites: Dont Take Them Lightly (Info & Treatment). Review: The Cat in the Window And Other Stories of the Cats We Love. Cat bites are exceptionally dangerous and prone to infection because a cat's needle-like teeth can push bacteria deep into flesh, tendons and joints. Extensor Tendon Injuries are traumatic injuries to the extensor tendons that can be caused by laceration, trauma, or overuse. A cat bite can turn into a hospital stay, study says There is no such thing as a simple cat bite, yet most patients are unaware of the potential for harm, and they delay or fail to seek immediate evaluation and treatment. Ligament and Tendon Conditions in Cats - Symptoms, Causes - WagWalking But while a kitten bite may be cute, an adult cat bite can be painful. Erythema and pain localized to the bite suggest infection. Bliss 101 Registered User regular. 20 The trial was terminated because of high rates of infection with wound care alone (47%). While some cat bites may heal without causing infection, it is recommended that you seek medical attention for all cat bites. Enter search terms to find related medical topics, multimedia and more. Mr. H noted a progression of redness and swelling over the past three days, and admitted inconsistent use of the sling. Use for phrases . Clinical Guidelines in Family Practice. Risk of Cat Bite to the Hand - Brandon P. Donnelly, MD This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in any form without prior authorization. Please note that by doing so you agree to be added to our monthly email newsletter distribution list. All rights reserved. Cat bite injuries to the hand can progress to serious infection. Cat Bites Pose Risk Of Infection As 1 In 3 Patients Bitten Hospitalized But remember, if you are bitten, prompt medical care is required to prevent serious, even long-term complications from a cat bite infection. sharing sensitive information, make sure youre on a federal Minor injuries from family pets may lead to serious wounds, facial damage, and emotional problems. These red streaks are from the infection traveling down your lymph system.