Tendons can rupture and may require surgery. If a cat bite breaks your skin, you should seek medical attention if: A cat bite carries a high risk of infection and can be dangerous. Two-third of those hospitalized needed surgery. If your cats get into a serious scuffle, use a blanket or sturdy piece of cardboard to try to separate them. J Hand Surg Am. While five- to nine-year-old males are the. Acute carpal tunnel syndrome of the hand following a cat bite. Rev Soc Bras Med Trop. You need to remove the . doi: 10.1590/0037-8682-0372-2022. Use interactive toys to play with your cat instead. Cat bite; animal bite; infection. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.". Its not something you want to take any chances with. Almost 40% of cases had flexor tendon sheath infection of the fingers. FOIA Last Updated on: January 25, 2023 by Crystal Uys. The information in this post is not a substitute for medical care. This includes bites that: [8] Are on the face But remember, if you are bitten, prompt medical care is required to prevent serious, even long-term complications from a cat bite infection. 2022 Oct;35(5):498-499. doi: 10.37201/req/009.2022. Epidemiology Can vitamin D help maintain muscle strength? He described a nonradiating pain in the tip of the second digit with limited flexion. Human and other mammalian bite injuries of the hand: evaluation and management. A doctor or nurse will wash the wound thoroughly, trim away any dead tissue, and apply antibiotic ointment. First, be sure to clean the wound. cat bite wrist tendonjameel disu biography. 2005 - 2023 WebMD LLC. PMC Treatment for wrist tendonitis can include rest, icing, anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), hand therapy, and cortisone injections. Unlike other animal bites, which can tear flesh and even break bones, these deeper wounds are much harder to clean. Therefore, its important to get an infection from a cat bite treated. This virus is almost always fatal when untreated, but its extremely rare. This then causes the wound to potentially close up around the bacteria, which can lead to an infection. Cat bites are typically puncture wounds that penetrate deeply into the skin and underlying tissues [2] with infection rates of up to 50% [4]. Animal mouths contain a lot of bacteria which is why you want to wash it out with soap and water for around 5 minutes. 28 Dog bites cause approximately 0.4 percent of emergency department visits and account for 60. 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. If youre bitten by a stray, it may be necessary to capture the animal so it can be observed. Your use of this website constitutes acceptance of Haymarket Medias Privacy Policy and Terms & Conditions. Bliss 101 Registered User regular. The patient appeared ill and uncomfortable. An infection from a cat bite can lead to more serious complications if not treated right away. 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. "We don't play like we used to," Bothun said. cat bite hand cellulitis lymphangitis hand infection. Brought to you by Merck & Co, Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA (known as MSD outside the US and Canada) dedicated to using leading-edge science to save and improve lives around the world. Monitor the area over the following few days for any usual symptoms or pain. o [ pediatric abdominal pain ] 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. official website and that any information you provide is encrypted . . Cats, meanwhile, have sharp teeth and that dramatically increases the risk for a cat bite infection. Current medications included lisinopril 10 mg daily and pravastatin 20 mg daily. The study showed that administering antibiotics failed in 21 of the 193 patients, who later received treatment in the hospital. Results: 8600 Rockville Pike If the patient is allergic to penicillin, recommend doxycyline 100 mg b.i.d. Human and animal bites. Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open. I now fear joint or bone or tendon . Keywords: Would you like email updates of new search results? A doctor will decide if the wound needs stitches or surgery to heal properly. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our. 'A cat bite is much worse than a dog or rat bite. These bites may look harmless, but it is important to take immediate medical action after the initial injury. Purpose: Pasteurella multocida infections. Please note that by doing so you agree to be added to our monthly email newsletter distribution list. What to do? They are most often located on the upper extremities and are almost always accompanied by scratches [2-4]. CSD is transmitted when a cat carrying the infection: The following animals are at the highest risk of carrying the infection: Its important to know that CSD is most common in children. 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. Mr. H. was then sent for immediate orthopedic surgical evaluation. If the wound is deep, if you see signs of infection as listed above, or if you have any other reason for concern, be sure to see your doctor. Results were negative for fracture, dislocation, and lytic or blastic lesions. A three-year Mayo Clinic study 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. Which means there are very few white blood cells to fight the bacteria, and they have an easy time infecting your tendon cells. Fever. However, they can also bite or scratch if spooked or if they get defensive. Small but deep punctures there led to a higher risk of hospitalization than bites into soft tissue, according to the study. With these locations, it's not hard for a cat to puncture a joint or the layer of membrane that covers a tendon. 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. "When the cat bites the hand, the joints and tendons are protected with fluid and there is no circulation so bacteria can grow like crazy, making treatment longer in some case.". By joining Cureus, you agree to our If you do get a cat bite, youll likely find out pretty quickly if its going to get infected. If left untreated, infections can potentially lead to scarring, tissue loss, or even life threatening sepsis. 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. Deep puncture wounds from animal bites become morbid if not promptly tended and closely followed. Your sharp, long teeth can leave deep punctate injuries. (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. This data suggests that a lot of cat bites come when petting or interacting with cats. "I washed the wounds on my wrist and put antiseptic on them," Bothun said. Victims should be especially concerned about the risk of a cat bite infection if they develop swelling or inflamed skin. Because cat bites usually cover a small area, you will probably be able to cover it with an over-the-counter adhesive Band Aid. Cat bite: an injury not to underestimate. Infection is the consequence of cat bites that medical professionals are most worried about. There are tons of dangerous bacteria flourishing inside a cats mouth. Minor injuries from family pets may lead to serious wounds, facial damage, and emotional problems. Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. What is the potential risk associated with cat bites? We do not control or have responsibility for the content of any third-party site. An official website of the United States government. Cat bites with infections can become not only painful, but also red or discolored, and swollen. 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. Please confirm that you are a health care professional. According to a 2016 case report, cat bites can injure a nerve in rare cases. 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. "They can be very serious. 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. Clipboard, Search History, and several other advanced features are temporarily unavailable. Clinical Guidelines in Family Practice. He graduated magna cum laude with a degree in biological sciences from. Cat bites create narrow, deep puncture wounds. 2022 Mar 24;7(1):e21.00084. for three to five days. Psoriatic arthritis. Common pathogens include Pasteurella species, Staphylococcus aureus, streptococci, anaerobes, Capnocytophaga, Moraxella, Corynebacterium, and Neisseria. Never try to separate cats who are fighting. Brandon P. Donnelly, MD is not liable or responsible for any advice, course of treatment, diagnosis or any other information, services or product you obtain through this site. They may take a culture swab to help identify the type of bacteria causing the infection. And while cuts. Bites on the hand are also at a high risk of infection. In cat bite wounds, they are followed by Streptococci, Staphylococci, Neisseria and Moraxella spp. There was limited range of motion at the PIP joint on the second digit. Osteomyelitis following domestic animal bites to the hand: Two case reports and practical guidelines. 2022 Feb 23;14(5):867. doi: 10.3390/polym14050867. Disclaimer. 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. Weber DJ, Wolfson JS, Swartz MN, Hooper DC. She said what followed was eight weeks in and out of the hospital, two weeks of surgery every other day to flush the infection out of the wound and remove infected tissue, and antibiotics to treat the rampant infection. In almost all states, a cat that has bitten a human or another domestic animal must undergo a mandatory 10-day quarantine period. Ms. Henderson is a family nurse practitioner at Wheaton Franciscan HealthcareAll Saints in Racine, Wisc. He is currently an Assistant Professor of Orthopedic Surgery at Louisiana State University (LSU) Health Sciences Center. eCollection 2021 Sep. Malizos KN, Papadopoulou ZK, Ziogkou AN, Rigopoulos N, Athanaselis ED, Varitimidis SE, Dailiana ZC. If the cat is healthy after 10 days, there is no risk to the person who was bitten. A small puncture wound, particularly from a human or cat bite, may involve significant injury to the tendon, joint capsule, or articular cartilage. 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. of dog bites, middle-aged women were the most common victims of cat bites to the hand, according to the Mayo Clinic study. From the November 01, 2010 Issue of Clinical Advisor, Continuing Medical Education (CME/CE) Courses. July 2012 edited July 2012. A tetanus shot was administered. MeSH terms Adult Aged del Mar Amador M, et al. Zoonotic disease: What can I catch from my cat? 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. In fact, a 2013 research review showed that Pasteurella is the most common organism isolated from both cat and dog bites. If the wound is bleeding, dont stop blood flow; in fact, try to encourage bleeding by gently pressing the area around the wound. This is particularly true when patients develop inflamed skin and swelling. Dawn Bothun, of Minnesota said a bite on her hand turned into an eight-week hospital ordeal and $150,000 in medical bills. Cats have thin sharp teeth that dig into skin and drive bacteria deep into the wound. for two weeks. Nelson CA, et al. Giant Cell Tumor of Tendon Sheath in Guyon's Canal Causing Ulnar Tunnel Syndrome . Cat bites are more frequent in the mornings, in the summer, and in spring [4]. In more extreme cases, redirected aggression can cause a cat to lash out at her guardian and cause severe damage. (2018). Open cat bite of wrist; Open cat bite wound of neck; Present On Admission. Adult cats bite out of fear, to assert dominance, or to demand attention. Cat bites can also lead to bone infection, and in extreme cases, septic shock, which is a life-threatening condition. All patients recently treated at our institution for cat bite injuries to the hand were retrospectively reviewed. Discomfort. Practical Review of the Management of Animal Bites. 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. 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. Immunocompromised people are at a higher risk of developing a severe infection from these bacteria. Conclusions: Cat bite injuries to the hand can progress to serious infection. Early treatment is beneficial in decreasing the risk of infection. This is a combination of a skin disorder (psoriasis) and . Misunderstanding this risk has led to a worrying number of hospitalizations, as patients require surgery to clean wounds or remove tissue thats become infected. Medicine (Baltimore). Dry the bite first, to help the Band Aid stick. . Epub 2019 Jul 9. The warm and dark inner layers of your skin are optimal for the growth of the bacteria. Kittens bite, mouth, and paw things to explore their worldthey're all natural behaviors. The most common symptoms of infection from a cat bite include: redness or discoloration swelling inflammation warmth a bump or blister where the bite wound is located More serious symptoms of. 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. They respond aggressively when their home is disturbed, biting and injecting venom. and Clinical findings suggestive of the need for hospitalization include location of the bite over a joint or tendon sheath, erythema, pain, and swelling. for three to five days or one double-strength trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole tablet b.i.d. Erythema and pain localized to the bite suggest infection. Wrist Tendonitis; DeQuervain's Tendonitis; Carpal Boss; Wrist Fractures; Distal Radius Fracture of the Wrist; Scaphoid Fractures of the wrist; Elbow. The drug of choice is amoxicillin/clavulanate 875 mg/125 mg b.i.d. 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. [Brusalis, 2017] Penetrating injuries are the most common (ex, cat scratch/bite). Enechukwu AOM, Bucher F, Dastagir K, Jokuszies A, Vogt PM, Knneker S. Ann Med Surg (Lond). All rights reserved. "I thought I could manage them on my own but I couldn't move my wrist after a week.". Here are some of the potential infectious diseases that can happen after a cat bite: Pasteurella multocida is a type of bacteria frequently found in the mouths of cats that can cause infections after a bite or scratch. Cat bites are serious! 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. To care for your wound at home, follow these steps: If the following symptoms occur, seek medical attention: If you have a pet cat, make sure to take them to regular veterinary visits to stay updated on vaccines. Recovery could take four to six months. QUESTIONS. This site needs JavaScript to work properly. J Hand Surg Am. (2016). Arnica, a homeopathic remedy, can help prevent bruising, and Ledum can help prevent infection. Does the amount of Vitamin D you have affect your odds of getting multiple sclerosis? Please enable it to take advantage of the complete set of features! We avoid using tertiary references. In most jurisdictions, physicians are required to report animal bites to the local health department. While the kitten grabbing at your hand and biting your fingers may be adorable, it wont be so adorable anymore when he has grown into an adult cat. However, delayed presentation may lead to significant morbidity or even mortality. Immediately after the incident, Mr. H. washed his wounds with soap and water, applied antibiotic ointment, and took ibuprofen for pain relief. Dog and cat bites. 0. For 14 percent of these patients, outpatient treatment with antibiotics didn't work and they needed to be hospitalized. Univariate and multivariate statistical regression were used to analyze the data. A small puncture wound, particularly from a human or cat bite, may involve significant injury to the tendon, joint capsule, or articular cartilage. and transmitted securely. Cat bites need to be taken seriously and carefully evaluated by doctors, the study authors said. 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. Cat bites only account for 10-15% of animal bites reported by emergency rooms, but they pose a much greater risk of infection. Victims should be especially concerned about the risk of a cat bite infection if they develop swelling or inflamed skin. She said because she was uninsured the hospital wrote off some of the bill but she is still making payments. 2019 Dec;53(6):341-346. doi: 10.1080/2000656X.2019.1637750. Cat-scratch disease in the United States, 20052013. The patients involved in the study were all bitten on the hand. Use for phrases