Cat bites are those bites inflicted upon humans, other cats, and other animals by the domestic cat. (Latin: Felis catus) Though uncommon, sometimes cat bites can lead to complications and very rarely, death.
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Classification
Cat bites are usually considered minor injuries but can result in serious infection. Not all infectious diseases of cats can be transmitted to humans through a bite. Not all infections that can be obtained from exposure to a cat are transmitted through a cat bite, like plague.
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Infections
The resident flora in the mouth of the cat includes Pasteurella, Staph, Bartonella, and Streptococcus species. Bites from cats more often develop infections more frequently than dogs. The teeth of a cat are sharp, pointed and can cause deep wounds. After a cat bite, the skin usually healing closes rapidly over the bite and traps microorganisms. The bites from cats can infect a person with:
- Cat-scratch Disease, caused by the bacterium Bartonella henselae)
- Cat-scratch disease is a bacterial disease that people may get after being bitten or scratched by a cat. About 40% of cats carry the bacteria at some time in their mouths, although kittens younger than 1 year of age are more likely to have it.
Most cats with this infection show no signs of illness.
- Hookworm, Ancylostoma tubaeforme, Ancylostoma braziliense, and Uncinaria stenocephala
- Capnocytophaga canimorsus
- Pasteurellosis caused by the bacterial genus Pasteurella
- Pasteurellosis is a bacterial disease associated with animal bites and scratches. Pasteurella is a normal bacterium that also lives in the mouths of healthy cats. The bacteria do not typically make cats sick; however, cats can develop abscesses or skin infections in places where they were scratched or bitten by another animal.
In people, pasteurellosis causes painful wound and skin infections. In severe cases, it can cause widespread infection and might even affect the nervous system.
- Rabies, a fatal neurologic disease in animals and people, is caused by a virus. Animals and people are most commonly infected through bites from rabid animals. Infected cats may have a variety of signs, but most often have sudden behavioral changes and progressive paralysis.
Injuries
The teeth of a cat are sharp and pointed and cause deep wounds and skin usually closes rapidly over the bite and trap microorganisms.
Diagnosis
The diagnosis is aided by obtaining a history of the circumstances surrounding the bite. The time the bite was experienced, the location of the bite, and examination of the bite is noted. The person may have drainage from the site of the bite. They may also be febrile. Swelling may also occur. Because the wound from the bite may have healed over the punctures, the wound it may be opened and explored. The site is anesthetized prior to exploration of the wound for is examined for damage. Neurovascular status is assessed. Immune status may determine treatment as does the presence of transplanted tissue or organs, rheumatic disease, diabetes, HIV/AIDS and sickle cell disease. Swollen glands (lymph nodes) and red streaks radiating upward may be evident.
The diagnosis of a cat with rabies is evident by observing the cat. Cats with rabies may also appear restless, pant, and attack other animals, people, or objects. Animals with rabies typically die within a few days of appearing sick. Vaccination of the cat can prevent rabies being transmitted by the cat through a bite. If the cat is suspected of being infected with rabies, the person begins treatment with rabies vaccine.
Prevention
Cat bites can often be prevented by:
- instructing children not to tease pets.
- being cautious with unfamiliar cats
- approaching cats with care, even if they appear to be friendly.
- avoiding rough play with cats and kittens.
Rough play causes is perceived as aggressive. This will lead to the cat being defensive when approached by people. Preventing cat bites includes not provoking the cat.
Treatment
The first step in treatment includes washing and then irrigating the bite wound. Often a tetanus shot is prescribed. If a cat that has bitten another cat or animal and appears to be ill, the cat would benefit from an assessment and possible treatment from a veterinarian. If there is a low risk that the wound has a low risk of being infected, it is sometimes only sutured. A person who has been bitten by a cat with rabies will need specialized treatment. Resulting infections from cat bites can be prevented by immediately. Washing wounds with soap and warm water is recommended. Seek medical attention if: if the cat has not been vaccinated against rabies. A tetanous booster is given to the person if It has been more than 5 years since their last tetanus shot. If a cat has bitten someone, and there is no evidence that the cat has been vaccinated against rabies, the person will be treated for rabies infection.
Epidemiology and special populations
Over 400,000 cat bites occur each year though the actual number of bites is much higher since many such bites are under-reported. 40 million households in the United States have pet cats. Data on the number of people bitten or scratched by cats are limited because these incidents are not reported; however, 20%-80% of cat bites and scratches become infected. Cat-scratch disease or cat-scratch fever, an infection that causes fever and swollen lymph nodes, can develop from cat scratches even if they only break the surface of the skin. Based on reports of people treated for cat bites at hospitals, women are most likely to be victims of cat bites and scratches. Because of their smaller build, children are more likely to be bitten on their head, neck and face. Adults are more likely to bitten on the hands and arms. Those who are immunocompromised are more susceptible to infection from a cat bite.
Source of the article : Wikipedia
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