a tendon lesion or a purulent flexor . Benson LS, Edwards SL, Schiff AP, Williams CS, Visotsky JL. official website and that any information you provide is encrypted 2021 Aug;70(8):639-643. doi: 10.1007/s00101-021-01003-9. If you cant capture the cat, you might need to start rabies vaccination as a precaution. Cat bites with infections can become not only painful, but also red or discolored, and swollen. Nelson CA, et al. 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. But remember, if you are bitten, prompt medical care is required to prevent serious, even long-term complications from a cat bite infection. Copyright 2014 American Society for Surgery of the Hand. This site needs JavaScript to work properly. fever or chills. Dog and cat bites to the hand: treatment and cost assessment. "The infection from the cat bite reached my tendon," Bothun said. For 14 percent of these patients, outpatient treatment with antibiotics didn't work and they needed to be hospitalized. Please enable it to take advantage of the complete set of features! Please note that by doing so you agree to be added to our monthly email newsletter distribution list. BP was 120/78 mm Hg, pulse 98 beats per minute, pulse oxygenation 97%, temperature 98.8F, and weight 290 lbs. 2005-2023 Healthline Media a Red Ventures Company. Cat bites can results in mild scarring, the raised area is probably a little scar tissue settling down. Carlsen said the study showed the hand and wrist are the perfect breeding ground for bacteria, making outpatient antibiotic treatment hard. 2022 Mar 24;7(1):e21.00084. A tetanus shot was administered. Puncture wounds tend to heal quickly, but a very deep bite can leave a scar. 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. Dont use harsh disinfectants or chemicals to clean the wound, as they may harm tissue and slow down healing. The skin on the second digit of the right hand showed significant edema and erythema circumferentially (Figure 1). Stress the importance of immediately washing the wound with antiseptic solution and water and seeking immediate evaluation. Camacho Zamora P, Romn Cabello M, lvarez Garca P, Vzquez Canal E. Rev Esp Quimioter. Open cat bite of wrist; Open cat bite wound of neck; Present On Admission. What are the top 3 benefits of Vitamin E? If the wound is bleeding, dont stop blood flow; in fact, try to encourage bleeding by gently pressing the area around the wound. "I thought I could manage them on my own but I couldn't move my wrist after a week.". Within a couple of hours the area was in severe pain, swollen, and red. 1. 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. If there is a lot of blood, apply pressure to stop the bleeding. Your use of this website constitutes acceptance of Haymarket Medias Privacy Policy and Terms & Conditions. official website and that any information you provide is encrypted J Hand Surg Am. If you decide to delay medical care, watch closely for signs of infection. While 3-18 percent of dog bites become infected, another study reported a staggering 28-80 percent cat bite infection rate. Dutton LK, Hinchcliff KM, Logli AL, Mallett KE, Suh GA, Rizzo M. JB JS Open Access. Is It Bedbugs, Other Bug Bites, or a Rash? Regardless of how a cat bite happens, it is not something to take lightly. Rev Soc Bras Med Trop. Some people need surgery, though. Disclaimer. Instead, call the animal control office in your area. This data suggests that a lot of cat bites come when petting or interacting with cats. Dog and cat bites to the hand: treatment and cost assessment. Arnica, a homeopathic remedy, can help prevent bruising, and Ledum can help prevent infection. This then causes the wound to potentially close up around the bacteria, which can lead to an infection. At the initial visit, Mr. H was alert and oriented. 2022 Dec 16;55:e0372-2022. Meanwhile, 80 percent of the patients were initially prescribed oral antibiotics, the researchers said. However, more severe reactions can occur, and rashes can develop. Copyright 2023 Haymarket Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved Ms. Henderson is a family nurse practitioner at Wheaton Franciscan HealthcareAll Saints in Racine, Wisc. An initial assessment of early cellulitis and right-hand pain secondary to the cat bite and fall was made. In cat bite wounds, they are followed by Streptococci, Staphylococci, Neisseria and Moraxella spp. You should also teach children how to properly handle pets and to make sure they arent doing anything to unintentionally hurt or scare a cat. These include: An infection from a cat bite may set in within a few hours, but it can take 10 days or more for some infections, like cat-scratch disease, to start showing symptoms. When the bite is on the hand (and other research has shown that up to 85 percent of cat bites occur on the hand or wrist), the puncture may easily pierce a joint or the membrane sheath. In todays blog post, Dr. Brandon P. Donnelly discusses why the risk of a cat bite infection has become a growing concern. But remember, if you are bitten, prompt medical care is required to prevent serious, even long-term complications from a cat bite infection. Misunderstanding this risk has led to a worrying number of hospitalizations, as patients require surgery to clean wounds or remove tissue thats become infected. Skin infections, known as cellulitis, can occur quickly after a bite. There are tons of dangerous bacteria flourishing inside a cats mouth. cat bite wrist tendonjameel disu biography. eCollection 2021 Sep. Malizos KN, Papadopoulou ZK, Ziogkou AN, Rigopoulos N, Athanaselis ED, Varitimidis SE, Dailiana ZC. However, delayed presentation may lead to significant morbidity or even mortality. The small but deep puncture wounds are. Keywords: Dr. Brandon P. Donnelly is a native of Slidell, LA. Cat bite - what to do? Of these, 78% (n = 7) underwent multiple operations secondary to septic arthritis, osteomyelitis, necrotising fasciitis and deep collection. To assess the overall morbidity of cat bites to the hand and identify risk factors for hospitalization after such an injury. 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. 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. In areas where MRSA is prevalent, trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole, clindamycin, doxycycline, or linezolid should be used instead of a cephalosporin. 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. Another SOLID Site, WALANT | Wide Awake Local Anesthesia No Tourniquet. Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available. No fevers, chills, increased redness, or swelling was noted. Of those, 57 were hospitalized; on average, they were in the hospital three days. Treatment of hand infections using WALANT -when the anesthesiologist is not available: A retrospective cohort study. The .gov means its official. Please enable it to take advantage of the complete set of features! Ellis R, et al. Bookshelf Mean length of hospital stay was 3.4 days in Group A, and 9.2 days in Group B, (p < .01). Results: Weve summarized the best studies we could find below to cover everything you wanted to know, or perhaps didnt want to know, about cat bites. Unable to load your collection due to an error, Unable to load your delegates due to an error. Polymers (Basel). 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. He was on day three of Augmentin and taking it as directed. (See also complex read more .). This includes bites that: [8] Are on the face But if an unvaccinated cat has bitten you, you must take the bite seriously. We do not control or have responsibility for the content of any third-party site. Puncture wounds from a cat bite have a high risk of infection. Your sharp, long teeth can leave deep punctate injuries. Nine patients (Group B) presented later than 48 hours. cat bite hand cellulitis lymphangitis hand infection. Cat bite; animal bite; infection. Another 154 were treated with oral antibiotics as outpatients, although 21 of them eventually had to be hospitalized. In most jurisdictions, physicians are required to report animal bites to the local health department. The family cat lunged at him and bit and scratched his hand. Dog bites take about twice as long to set in. COVID-19 Screening in the Pediatric Emergency Department. doi: 10.1097/GOX.0000000000003778. [Treatment of bites to the hand and wrist--is the primary antibiotic prophylaxis necessary?]. Cat bites can also lead to bone infection, and in extreme cases, septic shock, which is a life-threatening condition. Of those admitted to the hospital, 38 patients needed surgery to clean the wound or remove infected tissue. Data included patient demographics, anatomical site of injury, microbiology results, method of treatment and surgical outcome. Not all cat bites lead to infection, but enough do to warrant caution. 2021 Sep 9;9(9):e3778. 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. Learn more about the Merck Manuals and our commitment to Global Medical Knowledge. "The bites lead to serious infections that can require multiple hospitalizations, antibiotics and sometimes surgery," Carlsen said. The researchers studied nearly 200 cat bite cases that occurred between 2009 and 2011. PMC Physical examination findings of erythema and swelling at presentation were also associated with increased risk of hospitalization. In severe cases, surgery may be required to clean out the infected areas. Recovery could take four to six months. Time from bite to presentation, white blood cell count, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and C-reactive protein values at presentation were not associated with hospitalization. Educating the patient about the importance of early management and immediate follow-up can reduce the risk of adverse sequelae and the potential costs of hospitalization and post-bite management. If the cat is healthy after 10 days, there is no risk to the person who was bitten. Serious complications include infectious arthritis Acute Infectious Arthritis Acute infectious (septic) arthritis is a joint infection that evolves over hours or days. [Brusalis, 2017] Penetrating injuries are the most common (ex, cat scratch/bite). Its not something you want to take any chances with. Immunocompromised people are at a higher risk of developing a severe infection from these bacteria. HHS Vulnerability Disclosure, Help Thirty percent (n = 57) of patients with cat bites to the hand were hospitalized. The hand should be splinted in the functional position and elevated. Most domestic cats are already vaccinated against rabies. 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. You should be especially careful if the wound is around your wrist area. It has to pierce deep enough to get into the muscle where there is a good amount of blood flow. del Mar Amador M, et al. While all bites carry bacteria, your body manages to fend off most infections from dog bites. Noninfected bite wounds may require surgical debridement and prophylaxis with 50% of the dose of antibiotic used to treat infected wounds. 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. Positive tactile response to the digits of the right hand was achieved. Benson LS, Edwards SL, Schiff AP, Williams CS, Visotsky JL. 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. 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. Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. 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. Conclusions: Cat bite injuries to the hand can progress to serious infection. He described severe nonradiating pain to his right hand and second digit unrelieved by Vicodin or Naprosyn. Small but deep punctures there led to a higher risk of hospitalization than bites into soft tissue, according to the study. Rabies is caused by a virus and can be transmitted by bites and scratches from an infected animal, often a dog. Kanavel's Signs: Cats dont have more bacteria in their mouths than dogs. An infection from a cat bite can lead to more serious complications if not treated right away. . You can contract cat scratch fever from cats infected with Bartonella henselae bacteria. Bula-Rudas FJ, et al. While five- to nine-year-old males are the. Laboratory findings showed erythrocyte sedimentation rate 28 mm/hour, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein 14.5 mg/L, WBC 10,0000/l, RBC 3.77 106/l, hemoglobin 12.3 g/dL, and hematocrit 35.3%. As your body works to fight the bacteria in the cat bite, you may develop a fever. Can low vitamin D increase risk of cancer? While some cat bites may heal without causing infection, it is recommended that you seek medical attention for all cat bites. 2019 Dec;53(6):341-346. doi: 10.1080/2000656X.2019.1637750. Review: The Cat in the Window And Other Stories of the Cats We Love. After receiving his medical degree fromLouisiana State University (LSU) Health Sciences Center in New Orleans, where he was awarded the Orthopedic Surgery award. There was minimal pain and bleeding. The most common symptoms of infection from a cat bite include: More serious symptoms of a cat bite infection include: You should also seek medical treatment as soon as possible if you start to experience these more serious symptoms. Monitor the area over the following few days for any usual symptoms or pain. The right arm was placed in a sling for elevation of the extremity. You should still clean the wound area with soap and water, but its unlikely you will have to take any action. Pediatrics in review. in New Orleans, where he was awarded the Orthopedic Surgery award. doi: 10.1097/GOX.0000000000003778. Frost Bite most commonly injures your ears and nose. No fever, chills, shortness of breath, cough, wheeze, chest pain, or palpitations were reported. Cat bites need to be taken seriously and carefully evaluated by doctors, the study authors said. 2004 Oct;74(10):859-62. doi: 10.1111/j.1445-1433.2004.03189.x. Published by: Ingrid King. Wecannot answer individual questions about whether your bite needs medical attention in the comments section. Tendon rupture: When a tendon separates from the tissue, in part or completely, it is supposed to be attached to, a tendon rupture occurs. 1995 Aug;52(2):479-85, 489-90. 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. Through this website and links to other websites, Brandon P. Donnelly, MD provides general information for educational purposes only. Its really just a function of their slender, sharp fangs. Sbai MA, et al. Open wound of wrist, hand and fingers ( S61) S61.451A is a billable ICD-10 code used to specify a medical diagnosis of open bite of right hand, initial encounter. 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. Mr. H was discharged the next day and told to return to the infusion center every day for the next two weeks for IV Rocephin. In more extreme cases, redirected aggression can cause a cat to lash out at her guardian and cause severe damage. (2018). J Am Acad Orthop Surg. 2020 Jun 3;8(6):838. doi: 10.3390/microorganisms8060838. Bacteria can be potentially seeded down into joints and tendon sheaths, far away from where it would be immediately noticed. Cats can also injure their tendons or ligaments slowly over time as a result of repetitive straining, overexertion, or fatigue. By clicking Subscribe, I agree to the WebMD, Smart Grocery Shopping When You Have Diabetes, Surprising Things You Didn't Know About Dogs and Cats, Smoking Pot Every Day Linked to Heart Risks, Artificial Sweetener Linked to Heart Risks, FDA Authorizes First At-Home Test for COVID and Flu, New Book: Take Control of Your Heart Disease Risk, MINOCA: The Heart Attack You Didnt See Coming, Health News and Information, Delivered to Your Inbox. Infected Cat Bite On The Wrist Photograph by Dr P. Marazzi/science from fineartamerica.com. The Conscious Cat is a comprehensive resource for conscious living, health and happiness for cats and their humans. MeSH Millions of people are bitten by animals every year. INTRODUCTION. . The bites can even be so deep that they damage a victim's nerves, tendons and . It is especially dangerous for a cat to bite the wrist or hand - all places where joints, bones and tendons are close to the surface. There is a remarkable amount of research around cat bites. 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. Privacy Policy Read on to learn more about symptoms and how to prevent bug bites. Does vitamin D play a role in your risk of dying from cancer? The subjects were 18 females and two males aged 27-86 years (mean age of 58 years). Patients with joint capsule penetration, tendon injury, or bites older than 24 hours were excluded. On physical examination, BP was 118/80, pulse 106, respiratory rate 20 breaths per minute, temperature 99.9F, and pulse oxygenation 98%. 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 Report of 34 cases and review of the literature. Univariate and multivariate statistical regression were used to analyze the data. Clinical findings suggestive of the need for hospitalization include location of the bite over a joint or tendon sheath, erythema, pain, and swelling. 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. These include: If the cat bite is deep, it can damage your tendon(s). "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. FOIA Clean bite wounds thoroughly with soap and water. 28 Dog bites cause approximately 0.4 percent of emergency department visits and account for 60. A 29-year-old woman with fever after a cat bite. Tendon and tissue damage. Give them time to calm down before approaching them. Mr. Hs medical history included hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, and tobacco abuse. There is not very much bloodflow to the tendon sheath. The pain almost drove me up the wall.". 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. Their razor-sharp teeth and nails can puncture deeply, sometimes penetrating tissues, ligaments and tendons. Careers. Cat bites are serious! Our website services, content, and products are for informational purposes only. Issues related to infectious tenosynovitis will be reviewed here. 2015 Jan;23(1):47-57. doi: 10.5435/JAAOS-23-01-47. While all bites carry bacteria, your body manages to fend off most infections from dog bites. It's the worst animal in the UK to be bitten by. 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. Though these injuries are typically not life-threatening. The pain was markedly worse during second-digit flexion attempts or when pressure was applied. 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. Treatment for wrist tendonitis can include rest, icing, anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), hand therapy, and cortisone injections. The more severe the bruising or bleeding looks, the worse the bite is. 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 trusted provider of medical information since 1899, Overview and Evaluation of Hand Disorders, Digital Flexor Tendinitis and Tenosynovitis (Trigger Finger), Last review/revision Apr 2022 | Modified Sep 2022. Mr. H was unable to perform full flexion of the second digit. 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. A recent Mayo Clinic study shows that one out of three people who sought treatment for a cat bite to the hand were hospitalized. . Last Updated on: January 25, 2023 by Crystal Uys. Source: Bacteriologic Analysis of Infected Dog and Cat Bites. Conclusions: We avoid using tertiary references. He described a nonradiating pain in the tip of the second digit with limited flexion. An official website of the United States government. Painful and swollen lymph nodes for more than 2 or 3 weeks. Microorganisms. If the bite or scratch hasn't penetrated the skin, the chance of infection is minimal. Disclaimer. A more serious infection may lead to pus or what looks like red streaks down your skin and may cause fever. Pet owners must be made aware of the seriousness of a cat bite. 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. Be sure to stay calm if you are bitten by a cat. (2016). The PubMed wordmark and PubMed logo are registered trademarks of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Osteomyelitis following domestic animal bites to the hand: Two case reports and practical guidelines. "I washed the wounds on my wrist and put antiseptic on them," Bothun said. Ingrid King is an award-winning author, former veterinary hospital manager, and veterinary journalist who is passionate about cats. and thats just where most people get bitten by cats. Bats are one of the most common carriers of rabies. Last medically reviewed on March 22, 2021. The researchers said 57 of the patients who were bitten needed to be hospitalized, but only 36 had been admitted immediately after seeking medical treatment. Dr. Donnelly is a board certified orthopedic surgeon specializing in injuries and ailments of the hand, wrist, and elbow. Clinical findings suggestive of the need for hospitalization include location of the bite over a joint or tendon sheath, erythema, pain, and swelling. . From the November 01, 2010 Issue of Clinical Advisor, Continuing Medical Education (CME/CE) Courses. (2014). Treatment of infected bite wounds of the hand includes surgical debridement, with the wound left open, and antibiotics. Cureus. sharing sensitive information, make sure youre on a federal The information in this post is not a substitute for medical care. Look at the bite to evaluate how severe the victim's condition is. Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy, Study shows 1 in 3 people who sought medical treatment for a cat bite on the hand were hospitalized, Most common cat bite victims are middle-age women. July 2012 edited July 2012. The treatment of such infections often requires hospitalization, intravenous antibiotic therapy, and operative treatment. A doctor may give you a tetanus vaccine booster if you havent had a tetanus vaccine in the last 5 years. The patient was switched to cefuroxime (Ceftin) 500 mg b.i.d. In almost all states, a cat that has bitten a human or another domestic animal must undergo a mandatory 10-day quarantine period. However, they can also bite or scratch if spooked or if they get defensive. Lesions caused by human and domestic and wild animal bites. The index finger was the most common site of injury (45%). 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. Clinical Guidelines in Family Practice. HHS Vulnerability Disclosure, Help All patients recently treated at our institution for cat bite injuries to the hand were retrospectively reviewed. Cat bite: an injury not to underestimate. These findings should increase concern for a severe infection and warrant hospitalization and urgent consultation with a hand surgeon. Read more about types of bites, symptoms, and treatments. 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. 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. Learn more about rabies in humans here.
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