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. Cat bites are serious! Disclaimer. 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). The hand should be splinted in the functional position and elevated. From the November 01, 2010 Issue of Clinical Advisor, Continuing Medical Education (CME/CE) Courses. 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 patient appeared ill and uncomfortable. HHS Vulnerability Disclosure, Help Your use of this website constitutes acceptance of Haymarket Medias Privacy Policy and Terms & Conditions. When Cats Bite: 1 in 3 Patients Bitten in Hand Hospitalized, Infections A recent Mayo Clinic study shows that one out of three people who sought treatment for a cat bite to the hand were hospitalized. J Hand Surg Am. If left untreated, cat bite infections can spread to other parts of the body, causing a condition called septicemia (blood poisoning), which requires hospitalization. The .gov means its official. and 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 3-18 percent of dog bites become infected. Its not something you want to take any chances with. Risk factors associated with hospitalization included smoking, immunocompromised state, and location of bite over a joint or tendon sheath. Can Vitamin D affect your risk of heart disease? 4th ed., Gainesville Fla.: Barmarrae Books; 2003. Clipboard, Search History, and several other advanced features are temporarily unavailable. Can vitamin D help maintain muscle strength? Cat bites can also lead to bone infection, and in extreme cases, septic shock, which is a life-threatening condition. 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. 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. 2006;31:468-473. government site. Last Updated on: January 25, 2023 by Crystal Uys. Please confirm that you are a health care professional. What You Should Do for a Cat Bite or Scratch - Cleveland Clinic Practical Review of the Management of Animal Bites. Would you like email updates of new search results? "Every time they would stitch me up after flushing the wound the infection would just get worse. 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. While 3-18 percent of dog bites become infected, another study reported a staggering 28-80 percent cat bite infection rate. 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Mean duration of antibiotic treatment and length of hospital stay were significantly longer in Group B (p < .05). Puncture wounds tend to heal quickly, but a very deep bite can leave a scar. Immediately wash the wound under running water. Cat bites with infections can become not only painful, but also red or discolored, and swollen. "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. This is the American ICD-10-CM version of S61.451A - other international versions of ICD-10 S61.451A may differ. Time from bite to presentation, white blood cell count, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and C-reactive protein values at presentation were not associated with hospitalization. Infected Cat Bite On The Wrist Photograph by Dr P. Marazzi/science from fineartamerica.com. He graduated magna cum laude with a degree in biological sciences fromCornell University. A cat bite on the hand can turn into a hospital stay, according to a new study. With these locations, it's not hard for a cat to puncture a joint or the layer of membrane that covers a tendon. ", "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 average of the participants was 49 years old, and 69 percent were women. Some people need surgery, though. (2021). The information in this post is not a substitute for medical care. Nerve injury: It's possible for the nerves to be damaged when a cat bites you. Dr. Kaul is the MSN and DNP Program Director and an associate professor at Concordia University Wisconsin in Mequon. Dog and cat bites to the hand: treatment and cost assessment. Mean length of hospital stay was 3.4 days in Group A, and 9.2 days in Group B, (p < .01). After receiving his medical degree fromLouisiana State University (LSU) Health Sciences Center in New Orleans, where he was awarded the Orthopedic Surgery award. 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. QUESTIONS. 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. An official website of the United States government. Instead, call the animal control office in your area. In most jurisdictions, physicians are required to report animal bites to the local health department. Cat bite: an injury not to underestimate - PubMed If the patient is allergic to penicillin, clindamycin 300 mg orally every 6 hours can be used. Read all about risks and treatment for a cat bite. Accessibility Introduction. When you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. First aid for cat bite - myUpchar 2022 Dec 16;55:e0372-2022. 'The wrist is packed with tendons and blood vessels, so infection can be pumped to . 2014 Feb;39(2):286-90. doi: 10.1016/j.jhsa.2013.11.003. First, be sure to clean the wound. Stress the importance of immediately washing the wound with antiseptic solution and water and seeking immediate evaluation. Reasons Why Cats Bite and How to Stop It - The Spruce Pets 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. Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Cat bite: treatment, risks, complications - hillsteaddental.com No fevers, chills, increased redness, or swelling was noted. A cat bite can turn into a hospital stay, study says Hand or wrist infection; cat bites; delayed treatment; diabetic finger; finger amputation; public awareness. Cat Bite Cellulitis Give them time to calm down before approaching them. Tendon and tissue damage. eCollection 2022 Jan-Mar. July 2012 edited July 2012. Cats teeth are sharp and pointy. Unauthorized use of these marks is strictly prohibited. Read on to learn more about symptoms and how to prevent bug bites. of dog bites, middle-aged women were the most common victims of cat bites to the hand, according to the Mayo Clinic study. Microorganisms. Practical Review of the Management of Animal Bites. Check for signs such as bruising, punctured skin, bleeding, and objects stuck in the wound. Wrist tendonitis is irritation and inflammation of the tendons at the wrist joint. Cat-scratch disease in the United States, 20052013. Acta Chir Belg. Dog Bite Wounds to Hand - Human Bite Wounds - Hand Surgeons Western Eikenella corrodens is often seen with human bite injuries and Pasteurella multocida is seen with dog and especially cat bite wounds. Felines' sharp teeth can inject harmful bacteria deep into joints and tissue, doctors warn SUNDAY, Feb. 9, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Cat bites may look less serious than dog bites, but beware: They can cause dangerous infections, particularly when they involve the hand, new research indicates. These findings should increase concern for a severe infection and warrant hospitalization and urgent consultation with a hand surgeon. Before joining Pontchartrain Orthopedics and Sports Medicine, he completed a hand and microsurgery fellowship at the prestigiousPhiladelphia Hand Center. 2. Go to doctor or ER: Cat bites to the hand and wrist have a high incidence of infection. You need to remove the . 20 . (2014). A doctor will likely prescribe antibiotics to fight off the infection. This virus is almost always fatal when untreated, but its extremely rare. Misunderstanding this risk has led to a worrying number of hospitalizations, as patients require surgery to clean wounds or remove tissue thats become infected. Flexor Tenosynovitis Pediatric EM Morsels Bookshelf If your cats get into a serious scuffle, use a blanket or sturdy piece of cardboard to try to separate them. FOIA It can be caused by overuse and repetitive movements like texting, playing video games, or writing. The researchers studied nearly 200 cat bite cases that occurred between 2009 and 2011. The right arm was placed in a sling for elevation of the extremity. Cat Bites May Lead to Infections: Treatment and When to Get Help Though cats are soft and cuddly, they may bite or scratch when theyre spooked. 2005 - 2023 WebMD LLC. o [ abdominal pain pediatric ] What to do? In rare cases, these infections can be fatal. Painful and swollen lymph nodes for more than 2 or 3 weeks. [Polymicrobial osteomyelitis on the limb of the hand after a cat bite]. The list above outlines the symptoms of an infected bite. Epub 2019 Jul 9. Your physician may also recommend a tetanus shot. But while a kitten bite may be cute, an adult cat bite can be painful. 0. Cat Bite Injuries to Humans | VCA Animal Hospital Pasteurella multocida infections. A small puncture wound, particularly from a human or cat bite, may involve significant injury to the tendon, joint capsule, or articular cartilage. If you have a hand injury and would like to have it evaluated by our areas leading hand specialist, contact us today to schedule an appointment. Wrist Tendonitis Signs, Causes, and Treatments - Verywell Health - Know Dog or cat bites to the hands are the most severe injuries, often requiring surgical intervention and hospitalization.1 Infectious complications occur in approximately 50% of cat bites. Cats carry many bacteria in their mouths capable of causing infections in bite wounds. Monitor the area over the following few days for any usual symptoms or pain. Use interactive toys to play with your cat instead. While five- to nine-year-old males are the. The patient was able to return to work. 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. . 6. 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? Clinical Guidelines in Family Practice. Cat Bite, extreme pain, swelling, numbess | Pet Allergies discussions Rabies is rare but deadly. When cats bite: One in three patients bitten in hand hospitalized Rabies is caused by a virus and can be transmitted by bites and scratches from an infected animal, often a dog. Protected from the immune system, a cat bite infection can rapidly spread. If you have been bitten by a cat, seeyour doctor or visit anurgent care facility. Diagnosis of Ligament and Tendon Conditions in Cats While all bites carry bacteria, your body manages to fend off most infections from dog bites. Cat bite: an injury not to underestimate. Your sharp, long teeth can leave deep punctate injuries. A red area around a cat scratch or bite that continues to get bigger for more than 2 days after the injury. These bites may look harmless, but it is important to take immediate medical action after the initial injury. Source: The management of bite wounds in children--a retrospective analysis at a level I trauma centre. Pet owners must be made aware of the seriousness of a cat bite. Fever that lasts for several days after a cat scratch or bite. 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. The more severe the bruising or bleeding looks, the worse the bite is. We do not control or have responsibility for the content of any third-party site. The best way to know if youre dealing with bedbugs is to look for evidence of them in your home. a tendon lesion or a purulent flexor . Moggie lovers beware! One bite from a cat can put you on the critical After being advised of the risk for infection, Mr. H agreed to follow up in three days or sooner if symptoms worsened. The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the Pain, tingling, and limited range of motion after a cat bite to the
