Part 2 Seek Medical Care for Severe Bites 1 Go to the doctor if your bite is too serious for you to care for it adequately. . Capillary refill to the upper extremities measured fewer than three seconds. The wrist or any joint in the fingers are usually the. [Hyatt, 2017] Patients often present 2-5 days after an injury. PEP isnt generally needed if the cat isnt showing signs of rabies, but the cat should be monitored for at least 10 days to be sure. any link with venom from cat bite affecting central nervous system? Tendon rupture: When a tendon separates from the tissue, in part or completely, it is supposed to be attached to, a tendon rupture occurs. It's the worst animal in the UK to be bitten by. 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 All patients recently treated at our institution for cat bite injuries to the hand were retrospectively reviewed. Victims should be especially concerned about the risk of a cat bite infection if they develop swelling or inflamed skin. "We don't play like we used to," Bothun said. Giant Cell Tumor of Tendon Sheath in Guyon's Canal Causing Ulnar Tunnel Syndrome . official website and that any information you provide is encrypted Keywords: This virus is almost always fatal when untreated, but its extremely rare. Cat bites with infections can become not only painful, but also red or discolored, and swollen. a tendon lesion or a purulent flexor . Cat and dog bites. Though these injuries are typically not life-threatening. Dog and cat bites to the hand: treatment and cost assessment. 2021 Sep 9;9(9):e3778. After being advised of the risk for infection, Mr. H agreed to follow up in three days or sooner if symptoms worsened. This then causes the wound to potentially close up around the bacteria, which can lead to an infection. 2014 Feb;39(2):286-90. doi: 10.1016/j.jhsa.2013.11.003. The PubMed wordmark and PubMed logo are registered trademarks of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Lim JS, et al. Obviously, the best bite is the one that has been prevented. According to a 2016 case report, cat bites can injure a nerve in rare cases. However, play it safe by washing the area thoroughly with soap and water. Sbai MA, et al. Unable to load your collection due to an error, Unable to load your delegates due to an error. About half the patients visited an emergency room, while the rest went to their primary-care physician. Because cats have extremely sharp teeth, their bites penetrate the skin easily and cause small but deep wounds. - dog bite: - consider viridans strep, pasteurella multocida, bacteroides, fusobacterium, capnocytophaga; - prophylactic treatment: augmentin / amoxicillin or with allergy ( cipro + clindamycin) Numbness, pain and weakness may be symptoms of it. Animal mouths contain a lot of bacteria which is why you want to wash it out with soap and water for around 5 minutes. Mr. H, age 45 years, presented to the clinic following a cat bite to his right hand 14 hours prior. Dr. Kaul is the MSN and DNP Program Director and an associate professor at Concordia University Wisconsin in Mequon. No fever, chills, shortness of breath, cough, wheeze, chest pain, or palpitations were reported. Rabies is caused by a virus and can be transmitted by bites and scratches from an infected animal, often a dog. A fever is considered a temperature of 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. Cat bite: an injury not to underestimate. Please login or register first to view this content. Unlike other animal bites, which can tear flesh and even break bones, these deeper wounds are much harder to clean. Stay away from stray or feral cats. Domestic cat bites are common and are often treated by simple wound care with good outcome. 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. Practical Review of the Management of Animal Bites. The 2023 edition of ICD-10-CM S61.451A became effective on October 1, 2022. The average length of stay for these patients was 3.2 days. The index finger was the most common site of injury (45%). Polymer-Based Constructs for Flexor Tendon Repair: A Review. INTRODUCTION. eCollection 2022. Felines' sharp teeth can inject harmful bacteria deep into joints and tissue, doctors warn. Cat bites may look small, but they can turn into serious problems. Should You Pop the Blisters Caused by Fire Ant Stings? 2017 Dr. Brandon P. Donnelly Clipboard, Search History, and several other advanced features are temporarily unavailable. Unlike other animal bites, which can tear flesh and even break bones, these deeper wounds are much harder to clean. There are a few people, that develop severe allergic reactions to flea bites and can get irritated by a single bite. These findings should increase concern for a severe infection and warrant hospitalization and urgent consultation with a hand surgeon. Wrist tendonitis is irritation and inflammation of the tendons at the wrist joint. The skin usually flaps over the bite, thereby sealing off . 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. Give them time to calm down before approaching them. Read on to learn more about symptoms and how to prevent bug bites. o [ pediatric abdominal pain ] Physical examination findings of erythema and swelling at presentation were also associated with increased risk of hospitalization. 2019 Dec;53(6):341-346. doi: 10.1080/2000656X.2019.1637750. All rights reserved. First, be sure to clean the wound. Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone. In more extreme cases, redirected aggression can cause a cat to lash out at her guardian and cause severe damage. This is particularly true when patients develop inflamed skin and swelling. If the bite or scratch hasn't penetrated the skin, the chance of infection is minimal. and transmitted securely. 2005 - 2023 WebMD LLC. A doctor will decide if the wound needs stitches or surgery to heal properly. MeSH terms Adult Aged Of those admitted to the hospital, 38 patients needed surgery to clean the wound or remove infected tissue. (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. Prescribing an antibiotic prophylactically has shown to reduce the rate of infection from cat bites. It may be painful or tender when touched or pressed. COVID-19 Screening in the Pediatric Emergency Department. Risk factors associated with hospitalization included smoking, immunocompromised state, and location of bite over a joint or tendon sheath. This site needs JavaScript to work properly. The content provided in this website and links, is not a substitute for medical care or treatment. Tendons and ligaments in the hand are especially delicate. Almost 40% of cases had flexor tendon sheath infection of the fingers. [Hyatt, 2017] PFT is a clinical diagnosis!! The researchers studied nearly 200 cat bite cases that occurred between 2009 and 2011. Apply an antibiotic ointment and cover with a non-stick bandage. This is the American ICD-10-CM version of S61.451A - other international versions of ICD-10 S61.451A may differ. Immunocompromised people are at a higher risk of developing a severe infection from these bacteria. In the Mayo Clinic study, eight of the 193 patients surveyed required more than one operation, and some had to have reconstructive surgery. - The management of bite wounds in children--A retrospective analysis at a level I trauma centre . Infections occur as a result of a combination of the oral flora of the animal and the human skin flora. Eleven patients (Group A) were presented within 48 hours of their injury. In these cases, the researchers said, the wound should be treated aggressively. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. FOIA Puncture wounds tend to heal quickly, but a very deep bite can leave a scar. Bats are one of the most common carriers of rabies. Your sharp, long teeth can leave deep punctate injuries. They are most often located on the upper extremities and are almost always accompanied by scratches [2-4]. Cat bites create narrow, deep puncture wounds. Your use of this website constitutes acceptance of Haymarket Medias Privacy Policy and Terms & Conditions. Cats are also the main reservoir of Bartonella henselae, the causative agent of cat scratch disease, which was confirmed in the presented patient by serological examination. He is currently an Assistant Professor of Orthopedic Surgery at Louisiana State University (LSU) Health Sciences Center. 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. [Sepsis after cat bite-How medical history, physical examination and interdisciplinary cooperation influence disease progression]. Roughly 400,000 cat bites occur in the United States each year. 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. Type of study/level of evidence: Osteomyelitis following domestic animal bites to the hand: Two case reports and practical guidelines. Of the hospitalized patients, 67% (n = 38) underwent irrigation and debridement, with 8 patients requiring more than 1 operation. Conclusions: Tendon necrosis and rupture; Hand dysfunction; Amputation; Systemic infection ~75% of cases are associated with antecedent injury. Before joining Pontchartrain Orthopedics and Sports Medicine, he completed a hand and microsurgery fellowship at the prestigiousPhiladelphia Hand Center. Ms. Henderson is a family nurse practitioner at Wheaton Franciscan HealthcareAll Saints in Racine, Wisc. 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. Zoonotic disease: What can I catch from my cat? Do not allow kittens and young cats to play with your hands. The site is secure. Unauthorized use of these marks is strictly prohibited. This site needs JavaScript to work properly. This site is not intended to and does not provide medical advice, professional diagnosis, opinion, treatment or services to you or to any other individual. Thirty percent (n = 57) of patients with cat bites to the hand were hospitalized. An infection from a cat bite can lead to more serious complications if not treated right away. Cat bites need to be taken seriously and carefully evaluated by doctors, the study authors said. The pain almost drove me up the . Can Vitamin E protect against heart disease. Wash the wound thoroughly with soap and water and cover with a sterile bandage. Purpose: If a cat hasnt been vaccinated for rabies, contact a doctor to decide if you need treatment known as rabies postexposure prophylaxis (PEP). 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. He graduated magna cum laude with a degree in biological sciences fromCornell University. 2020 Jul 23;12(7):e9357. 2006 Nov-Dec;106(6):692-5. doi: 10.1080/00015458.2006.11679983. red streaks that run up your hand and arm. Hydrocodone (Vicodin) and naprosyn (Naproxen) were also prescribed for pain and inflammation. Infected Cat Bite On The Wrist Photograph by Dr P. Marazzi/science from fineartamerica.com. A small puncture wound, particularly from a human or cat bite, may involve significant injury to the tendon, joint capsule, or articular cartilage. There is a remarkable amount of research around cat bites. What are the top 3 benefits of Vitamin E? Cats, meanwhile, have sharp teeth and that dramatically increases the risk for a cat bite infection. Because cat bites usually cover a small area, you will probably be able to cover it with an over-the-counter adhesive Band Aid. You should still clean the wound area with soap and water, but its unlikely you will have to take any action. Review: The Cat in the Window And Other Stories of the Cats We Love. Dr. Brandon P. Donnelly | Board Certified Orthopedic Surgeon. Cats, like many other mammals, can carry rabies. 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. doi: 10.2106/JBJS.OA.21.00084. The oral flora of humans includes Eikenella corrodens, staphylococci, streptococci, and anaerobes. 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. They respond aggressively when their home is disturbed, biting and injecting venom. 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. He described severe nonradiating pain to his right hand and second digit unrelieved by Vicodin or Naprosyn. o [teenager OR adolescent ], , MD, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. Dawn Bothun, of Minnesota said a bite on her hand turned into an eight-week hospital ordeal and $150,000 in medical bills. for two weeks. 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. Monitor the area over the following few days for any usual symptoms or pain. Minor injuries from family pets may lead to serious wounds, facial damage, and emotional problems. Check for signs such as bruising, punctured skin, bleeding, and objects stuck in the wound. In severe cases, surgery may be required to clean out the infected areas. With these locations, it's not hard for a cat to puncture a joint or the layer of membrane that covers a tendon. Arnica, a homeopathic remedy, can help prevent bruising, and Ledum can help prevent infection. Two-third of those hospitalized needed surgery. Treatment for wrist tendonitis can include rest, icing, anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), hand therapy, and cortisone injections. Another SOLID Site, WALANT | Wide Awake Local Anesthesia No Tourniquet. Delayed presentation of infected cat bites increased the likelihood of more complicated surgeries such as amputation. Read More, The Conscious Cat Product Guide features all of the best products for cats and cat lovers. Can low vitamin D increase risk of cancer? Diagnosis of Ligament and Tendon Conditions in Cats 2021 Nov 1;71:102993. doi: 10.1016/j.amsu.2021.102993. 28 Dog bites cause approximately 0.4 percent of emergency department visits and account for 60. (See also complex read more .). From the November 01, 2010 Issue of Clinical Advisor, Continuing Medical Education (CME/CE) Courses. "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. 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. Wrist tendinitis (tendonitis) is inflammation in the tendons that connect your lower arm to the bones in your fingers. In fact, the infection rate from a cat bite is fairly high. "Cat bites look very benign, but -- as we know and as the study shows -- they are not," Carlsen said. Dutton LK, Hinchcliff KM, Logli AL, Mallett KE, Suh GA, Rizzo M. JB JS Open Access. Regardless of how a cat bite happens, it is not something to take lightly. 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. 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 Open cat bite of wrist; Open cat bite wound of neck; Present On Admission. . Cureus. "The infection from the cat bite reached my tendon," Bothun said. Use interactive toys to play with your cat instead. Around 2% of attendances in the emergency department are due to bite injuries, most commonly from dogs, cats, and humans.If left untreated, bites have a high risk of becoming infected.. Last medically reviewed on March 22, 2021. According to a 2018 research review, infection occurs in about 50 percent of cat bites in children. . Debra Sullivan, Ph.D., MSN, R.N., CNE, COI, a bump or blister where the bite wound is located, inability to use your hand (if your hands been bitten), you start having any serious symptoms of an infection, such as fever, chills, pus or fluid oozing from the wound, or swollen lymph nodes, the cat thats bitten you appears aggressive or acts strangely, the cat thats bitten you is unvaccinated against rabies or youre unsure if the cat is vaccinated against rabies.