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Experts: Cat Bites Can Cause More than Just Pain
11/21/2006
It's not cat scratch fever, but doctors warn that cat bites can be more dangerous than most people think.
Like all animals, cats carry bacteria in their mouths. But doctors said cats carry a certain bacteria that can cause humans serious problems, NBC 4's Amy Basista reported.
"One of the offending organisms carried in the mouth of a cat is an organism called pasterulla," said Dr. John Drstvensek. "So it's the fact that cats teeth act like a hypodermic needle and inject that bacteria deep into the skin."
Pasterulla can cause a serious infection, and doctors said it could lead to amputation if left untreated, Basista reported.
Joanne was giving her cat George a bath when he bit her, driving his fangs into her skin.
She said it stung so bad she put her ice on the wound and didn't think anything of it -- until the next morning.
"It felt like a really bad headache, but my hand was starting to throb," she said.
Joanne went to the emergency room, and 30 minutes later she was admitted.
Drstvensek said it's not unusual to see cat bite victims in the ER.
"Most people see a small puncture wound, and it looks rather innocuous," Drstvensek said. "But these teeth are quite long and can penetrate into the tissues."
He said within about 12 hours, people could develop symptoms like swelling, redness, a streak up the arm and low-grade fever.
Experts said that if a cat bite wound looks superficial, it can be probably be treated at home with antiseptic and a dressing, Basista reported.
They also said if you notice any of those symptoms or experience severe pain or lack of movement in the area where you were bitten, you should seek medical attention immediately.
"We have a lot of people that get bit by a cat because it's anxious about coming to the vet," veterinarian Dr. Todd Beckett said. "I tell them to go see their doctor and very few people do like they should."
Both agreed that if a wound appears deep, it should always be treated by a doctor as a precaution.
Watch NBC 4 and refresh nbc4i.com for more information.
Like all animals, cats carry bacteria in their mouths. But doctors said cats carry a certain bacteria that can cause humans serious problems, NBC 4's Amy Basista reported.
"One of the offending organisms carried in the mouth of a cat is an organism called pasterulla," said Dr. John Drstvensek. "So it's the fact that cats teeth act like a hypodermic needle and inject that bacteria deep into the skin."
Pasterulla can cause a serious infection, and doctors said it could lead to amputation if left untreated, Basista reported.
Joanne was giving her cat George a bath when he bit her, driving his fangs into her skin.
She said it stung so bad she put her ice on the wound and didn't think anything of it -- until the next morning.
"It felt like a really bad headache, but my hand was starting to throb," she said.
Joanne went to the emergency room, and 30 minutes later she was admitted.
Drstvensek said it's not unusual to see cat bite victims in the ER.
"Most people see a small puncture wound, and it looks rather innocuous," Drstvensek said. "But these teeth are quite long and can penetrate into the tissues."
He said within about 12 hours, people could develop symptoms like swelling, redness, a streak up the arm and low-grade fever.
Experts said that if a cat bite wound looks superficial, it can be probably be treated at home with antiseptic and a dressing, Basista reported.
They also said if you notice any of those symptoms or experience severe pain or lack of movement in the area where you were bitten, you should seek medical attention immediately.
"We have a lot of people that get bit by a cat because it's anxious about coming to the vet," veterinarian Dr. Todd Beckett said. "I tell them to go see their doctor and very few people do like they should."
Both agreed that if a wound appears deep, it should always be treated by a doctor as a precaution.
Watch NBC 4 and refresh nbc4i.com for more information.
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