Cat bites need to be considered seriously, for both humans and cats, since most cat bites become infected. The most common infection associated with cat bites is caused by a bacterium called Pasteurella, which normally resides in the nasal cavity, oral cavity, and tonsil region of cats. The canine (fang) teeth of cats are sharp and can cause deep punctures “injecting” bacteria, sometimes reaching into joints depending upon what body part was bitten. It is difficult to adequately clean puncture wounds to prevent infection from developing. Since they don’t bleed much, bacteria is not flushed out naturally by the body. The skin closes over the wound somewhat soon, trapping bacteria. There can be serious consequences for both cats and humans if infected bites are not treated by a doctor.
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Why are cat bites so dangerous?
Why is it that cat bites can be so dangerous? Over one million bites are reported in the United States yearly, most in children. Close contact with cats poses an important health risk to certain segments of the human population.
Cat bites wounds are more likely to become infected in people. Systemic complications from bit wounds occur more commonly when the patient has underlying disease such as liver or kidney failure, diabetes mellitus, or degenerative joint disease.
Infection with human immuno-deficiency virus or treatment with immunosuppressive drugs for cancer, immune-mediated diseases or for organ transplantation, have rendered these patients more susceptible to infection with zoonotic diseases. Patients with prosthetic heart valves or joints are more likely to develop systemic or local complications from cat bite wounds. If you are bitten by a cat, contact your doctor immediately.
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