What are the chances of getting an infection from a cat bite?
While dogs cause more bite injuries, cat bites are more likely to become infected. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, infection occurs in about 10 to 15 percent of dog bites and up to 50 percent of cat bites.
Why are cat bites a particular risk?
Cat-scratch disease is a specific type of bacterial infection that occurs when a cat bites or scratches hard enough to break the skin’s surface or licks an open wound. It’s estimated that 40 percent of cats carry this particular bacterium, usually after an exposure to fleas or another animal that was exposed.
What kind of infections can you get from a cat bite?
Pasteurella multocida infection can lead to many types of infection, including cellulitis and necrotizing fasciitis (infection spreading in soft tissues such as muscles), septic arthritis (joint infection), osteomyelitis (bone infection), and tenosynovitis (infection of the tendons). Less common are sepsis, septic shock and meningitis.
Is it dangerous to have a cat bite you?
Cats carry many bacteria in their mouths capable of causing infections in bite wounds. Though house cats are often vaccinated against the most serious diseases, like rabies, stray cats aren’t usually vaccinated and can carry several diseases. In fact, the infection rate from a cat bite is fairly high.
What to do if you get a cat bite on your hand?
You should still clean the wound area with soap and water, but it’s unlikely you will have to take any action. Puncture wounds from a cat bite have a high risk of infection. Bites on the hand are also at a high risk of infection. Wash the wound thoroughly with soap and water and cover with a sterile bandage.
Which is more common a dog bite or a cat bite?
Although both dog and cat saliva contain many types of bacteria, a person is more likely to get an infection from a cat bite than a dog bite. Cats’ teeth are sharper and longer than their canine counterparts.
Pasteurella multocida infection can lead to many types of infection, including cellulitis and necrotizing fasciitis (infection spreading in soft tissues such as muscles), septic arthritis (joint infection), osteomyelitis (bone infection), and tenosynovitis (infection of the tendons). Less common are sepsis, septic shock and meningitis.
Cats carry many bacteria in their mouths capable of causing infections in bite wounds. Though house cats are often vaccinated against the most serious diseases, like rabies, stray cats aren’t usually vaccinated and can carry several diseases. In fact, the infection rate from a cat bite is fairly high.
What happens to your body after a cat bite?
Skin infections, known as cellulitis, can occur quickly after a bite. Here are some of the potential infectious diseases that can happen after a cat bite: Pasteurella multocida is a type of bacteria frequently found in the mouths of cats that can cause infections after a bite or scratch.
You should still clean the wound area with soap and water, but it’s unlikely you will have to take any action. Puncture wounds from a cat bite have a high risk of infection. Bites on the hand are also at a high risk of infection. Wash the wound thoroughly with soap and water and cover with a sterile bandage.
