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I still have a small bump from a cat that bit my hand around twenty-five years ago. These bites may look harmless, but it is important to take immediate medical action after the initial injury. Dr. Brandon P. Donnelly | Board Certified Orthopedic Surgeon. INTRODUCTION. You love your cat. 2021 Nov 1;71:102993. doi: 10.1016/j.amsu.2021.102993. These include: If the cat bite is deep, it can damage your tendon(s). Any time the skin is punctured, you will experience some level of discomfort, but this initial pain should subside. Cats teeth are sharp and pointy. Would you like email updates of new search results? Early treatment reduces the severity of many animal bites. The patient was able to return to work. Cat bites are serious! According to the study patients with bites directly over the wrist or any joint have a higher risk of hospitalization. government site. The 2023 edition of ICD-10-CM S61.451A became effective on October 1, 2022. 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. An infection from a cat bite can lead to more serious complications if not treated right away. According to a 2016 case report, cat bites can injure a nerve in rare cases. Numbness, pain and weakness may be symptoms of it. Patients with joint capsule penetration, tendon injury, or bites older than 24 hours were excluded. Sbai MA, et al. eCollection 2021 Sep. Strwald Y, Erdle B, Busch P, Kalbhenn J, Bansbach J. Anaesthesist. 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). 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. Use to remove results with certain terms Wash the wound thoroughly with soap and water and cover with a sterile bandage. Rev Soc Bras Med Trop. Mean length of hospital stay was 3.4 days in Group A, and 9.2 days in Group B, (p < .01). 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. Obviously, the best bite is the one that has been prevented. 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. [Treatment of bites to the hand and wrist--is the primary antibiotic prophylaxis necessary?]. Look at the bite to evaluate how severe the victim's condition is. Dog and cat bites to the hand: treatment and cost assessment. Wounds are not closed after initial treatment so that any . "They can be very serious. Another SOLID Site, WALANT | Wide Awake Local Anesthesia No Tourniquet. Cat bite: An unusual cause of foot drop. The puncture hole can quickly seal over and trap bacteria from the cats mouth under your skin. Mr. H returned in three days as instructed. Puncture wounds from a cat bite have a high risk of infection. 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. 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. This includes bites that: [8] Are on the face The study showed that administering antibiotics failed in 21 of the 193 patients, who later received treatment in the hospital. The wound canal can reach into a joint or onto a bone. 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 . It was strongly advised that the patient follow up the next day, but Mr. H declined. The second digit was warm to touch, red, and swollen. I now fear joint or bone or tendon . eCollection 2022. Benson LS, Edwards SL, Schiff AP, Williams CS, Visotsky JL. Theres also the risk that a cats teeth will break off during a bite and need to be extracted. In severe cases, surgery may be . She said because she was uninsured the hospital wrote off some of the bill but she is still making payments. 1. Clean bite wounds thoroughly with soap and water. sharing sensitive information, make sure youre on a federal Mr. H. was then sent for immediate orthopedic surgical evaluation. Read More, The Conscious Cat Product Guide features all of the best products for cats and cat lovers. All rights reserved. Fever that lasts for several days after a cat scratch or bite. 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. Dawn Bothun, of Minnesota said a bite on her hand turned into an eight-week hospital ordeal and $150,000 in medical bills. MeSH terms Adult Aged Privacy Policy Adult cats bite out of fear, to assert dominance, or to demand attention. Osteomyelitis following domestic animal bites to the hand: Two case reports and practical guidelines. He was on day three of Augmentin and taking it as directed. 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 Delayed presentation of infected cat bites increased the likelihood of more complicated surgeries such as amputation. 1. It's the worst animal in the UK to be bitten by. The main symptoms were limited and there was painful mobilisation of fingers and wrist, and swelling and redness in the area of the bite wound. Careers. If the bite or scratch hasn't penetrated the skin, the chance of infection is minimal. HHS Vulnerability Disclosure, Help Clinical Guidelines in Family Practice. Immunocompromised people are at a higher risk of developing a severe infection from these bacteria. 1995 Aug;52(2):479-85, 489-90. 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. The average time people waited between getting bitten and seeking treatment was 27 hours. J Hand Surg Am. Practical Review of the Management of Animal Bites. 1984 May;63(3):133-54. . Pasteurella multocida infections. (2014). (2016). Wecannot answer individual questions about whether your bite needs medical attention in the comments section. Of the hospitalized patients, 67% (n = 38) underwent irrigation and debridement, with 8 patients requiring more than 1 operation. But bewareyour cat can make you sick. Giant Cell Tumor of Tendon Sheath in Guyon's Canal Causing Ulnar Tunnel Syndrome . Animal mouths contain a lot of bacteria which is why you want to wash it out with soap and water for around 5 minutes. . A regular cat bite that just breaks the skin isn't really anything to worry about. Active range of motion deficits are present at the wrist and thumb due to pain and swelling. a tendon lesion or a purulent flexor . 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). Unlike other animal bites, which can tear flesh and even break bones, these deeper wounds are much harder to clean. While most bug bites cause only mild symptoms, some bug bites can transmit disease. Savu AN, Schoenbrunner AR, Politi R, Janis JE. All patients recently treated at our institution for cat bite injuries to the hand were retrospectively reviewed. We recommend that any symptomatic cat bites to the upper limb, especially hand and wrist, must be treated promptly, essentially within 48 hours of injury, particularly in immunocompromised population. An infectious disease consultation was ordered. Cat bites are about twice as likely as dog bites to get infected. Patients with clenched fist injuries tend to wait hours or days after the wound occurs before seeking medical attention, which increases the severity of the infection. Arnica, a homeopathic remedy, can help prevent bruising, and Ledum can help prevent infection. Cat bite; animal bite; infection. If you have been bitten by a cat, seeyour doctor or visit anurgent care facility. SEE MORE: Symptoms of Infected Cat Bite and Steps To Take For A Cat Bite. Erythema and pain localized to the bite suggest infection. Keywords: Hand or wrist infection; cat bites; delayed treatment; diabetic finger; finger amputation; public awareness. Handchir Mikrochir Plast Chir. Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open. Thirty percent (n = 57) of patients with cat bites to the hand were hospitalized. . The right arm was placed in a sling for elevation of the extremity. loss of mobility in your finger or hand. Dont use harsh disinfectants or chemicals to clean the wound, as they may harm tissue and slow down healing. When cats do bite, the majority of the time it's a bite on the hand or the wrist. 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. Dawn Bothun, of Minnesota said a bite on her hand turned into an eight-week hospital ordeal and $150,000 in medical bills. These red streaks are from the infection traveling down your lymph system. Accessibility Within a couple of hours the area was in severe pain, swollen, and red. Most domestic cats are already vaccinated against rabies. Cats bite mostly on hands, arms or legs. 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. If a cat hasnt been vaccinated for rabies, contact a doctor to decide if you need treatment known as rabies postexposure prophylaxis (PEP). "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. A more serious infection may lead to pus or what looks like red streaks down your skin and may cause fever. Common pathogens include Pasteurella species, Staphylococcus aureus, streptococci, anaerobes, Capnocytophaga, Moraxella, Corynebacterium, and Neisseria. A doctor or nurse will wash the wound thoroughly, trim away any dead tissue, and apply antibiotic ointment. Brian Carlsen, a researcher on the study and orthopedic surgeon at Mayo Clinic, said cat's fangs penetrate the skin and push bacteria deep into joints and tissue, causing infection. July 2012 edited July 2012. and transmitted securely. Does vitamin D play a role in your risk of dying from cancer? . 2002 Jan;34(1):22-9. doi: 10.1055/s-2002-22103. While five- to nine-year-old males are the principal victims of dog bites, middle-aged women were the most common victims of cat bites to the hand, according to the Mayo Clinic study. The code is valid during the fiscal year 2023 from October 01, 2022 through September 30, 2023 for the submission of HIPAA-covered transactions. Mr. Hs right-hand wounds were cleansed with antibacterial soap, betadine wash, and sterile water rinse. 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. in New Orleans, where he was awarded the Orthopedic Surgery award. The condition can cause pain when you grip and lift objects or move your wrist or fingers. Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. The researchers studied nearly 200 cat bite cases that occurred between 2009 and 2011. If the cat is healthy after 10 days, there is no risk to the person who was bitten. 2022 Dec 16;55:e0372-2022. Clinical findings suggestive of the need for hospitalization include location of the bite over a joint or tendon sheath, erythema, pain, and swelling. Close more info about Pain, tingling, and limited range of motion after a cat bite to the finger, Lori L. Henderson, DNP-c, MSN , APNP-BC, and Teri Kaul, PhD, APRN, Botched cryotherapy procedure leads to painful bullous lesion. The warm and dark inner layers of your skin are optimal for the growth of the bacteria. An official website of the United States government. While all bites carry bacteria, your body manages to fend off most infections from dog bites. 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. Terms of Use. Learn about symptoms in cats and humans, and get facts on. National Library of Medicine In fact, a 2013 research review showed that Pasteurella is the most common organism isolated from both cat and dog bites. The skin on the second digit of the right hand showed significant edema and erythema circumferentially (Figure 1). Its not something you want to take any chances with. o [teenager OR adolescent ], , MD, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. Nerve injury: It's possible for the nerves to be damaged when a cat bites you. The study, published in the February issue of the Journal of Hand Surgery, also revealed that eight patients needed more than one surgical procedure, and some needed reconstructive surgery. 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. There was limited range of motion at the PIP joint on the second digit. Cat bites may look small, but they can turn into serious problems. Unauthorized use of these marks is strictly prohibited. And your cat loves you (in its own fashion). Should You Pop the Blisters Caused by Fire Ant Stings? In almost all states, a cat that has bitten a human or another domestic animal must undergo a mandatory 10-day quarantine period. 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. You may have to try a few different chemical and nonchemical approaches to get rid of bedbugs, especially if you have a large infestation. . Not all cat bites lead to infection, but enough do to warrant caution. Infections occur more frequently in cat bites because cats have extremely sharp, pointed teeth that can cause deep puncture wounds. "The bites lead to serious infections that can require multiple hospitalizations, antibiotics and sometimes surgery," Carlsen said. Never try to separate cats who are fighting. HHS Vulnerability Disclosure, Help When the injury has occurred, wash the wound with soap and then apply antiseptics. 2020 Jun 3;8(6):838. doi: 10.3390/microorganisms8060838. In the study, researchers identified 193 Mayo Clinic patients with cat bites to the hand from January 1, 2009, through 2011. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.". Millions of people are bitten by animals every year, mainly by dogs.