Rabies and Animal Bites | Ohio Department of Health
Cat Bites Can Actually Be Quite Dangerous
Every year, there are an estimated 400,000 cat bites in the United States, with animal bites accounting for approximately 1 percent of all emergency room visits. Although dog bites are far more common, cat bites can be unusually dangerous, with one study showing that one out of three cat bites to the hand led to the patients being hospitalized. If left untreated, the infection from a cat bite can spread to the rest of the body, leading to sepsis and possible death.
Cat bites are high-risk woundsCat bites are unusually dangerous for a number of reasons. "Cat bites are considered high risk, mainly because their teeth are so small and sharp, that they tend to cause deep puncture wounds," says Camila Calderón, an emergency medicine physician with UTHealth Houston McGovern Medical School.
Cat bites also tend to happen on the upper body, most notably the hands, which are more vulnerable to becoming infected. In the hand, there are a lot of different muscles and tendons that, if a bite were to happen, can become infected, which will then spread to other parts of the hand.
Another reason that cat bites are uniquely risky are due to the presence of a bacteria called pasteurella multocida, which is one of the major causes of hand infections from cat bites. Pasteurella infections are uniquely fast-growing, and when it happens in a more susceptible area, such as the hand, can quickly become a very serious issue.
What to do if you get bittenIf you do get bitten by a cat, the first steps are to clean out the wound as thoroughly as you can, using soap and water, and to get checked out by a doctor. "I would recommend that you seek medical care, regardless of whether you feel that you can clean it out," Calderon says.
If the bite is unusually deep, or extensive, they can help make sure that the wound gets thoroughly cleaned out. They will also start you on antibiotics, to prevent an infection. Whether it's the local emergency room, an urgent care or your primary care doctor, it's important to get the doctor, and to get on antibiotics, as soon as you can.
If at any time, the cat bite wound develops redness, swelling, or pain, or you develop a fever, then it's important to head to the emergency room immediately.
In addition to the risk of infection, cat bites also have some other risks that may require the help of a medical professional. The first major risk is rabies. If the cat's medical history is unknown, and they ran off after biting, then that may necessitate getting a post-exposure rabies series. Another risk may be cat scratch fever, as getting bitten can sometimes include getting scratched as well.
When A Cat Scratch Or Bite Can Cause Blindness
Cuddling a kitten could lead to severe visual impairment.
How so? One may ask.
Cat scratch disease is a bacterial infection caused by the microorganism Bartonella henselae.
According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 30% of cats carry B. Henselae in their blood.
The worrying part is that most cats with this infection display no signs of infection.
Globally, cats are one of the two most popular terrestrial animals chosen for pet companionship.
The Petfair network reported that the ownership of cats in Malaysia in 2018 was 795,000.
This figure has most likely increased exponentially in the last few years due to the high fertility rate of these animals.
How high exactly?
Various studies have reported that domestic cats, or Felis catus in Latin, can produce, on average, four kittens twice a year.
This can result in 40 kittens over a five-year period!
Regrettably, when the population of these pets spirals out of control, not only do they risk being abandoned, but the escalating overpopulation also gives rise to a host of problems that includes diseases such as CSD.
From fleas to cats to humans
Cats fighting among themselves is another way that the infection can spread among them. — 123rf.Com
Cats and fleas are like honey and bees!
Cats get infected with B. Henselae from the bites of infected fleas and flea dirt (droppings), or contact with infected blood (e.G. Those involved in cat fights or have a history of blood transfusion).
When cats scratch at the fleas, it gets under their nails and teeth.
Studies have found that cat fleas, known as Ctenocephalides felis, can maintain B. Henselae and excrete the microorganism in their faeces for up to nine days.
The mechanism of spread of cat scratch disease to humans lies within the name of the disease itself.
B. Henselae enters the human body through breaks in the skin surface, which are typically caused by bites or scratches from an infected cat, or from infected cats licking pre-existing open wounds on humans.
Cats carry the microorganisms in their saliva.
Some have suggested that bites of infected cat fleas can also cause B. Henselae human infection, although this has yet to be proven.
Even so, it is best not to take any chances with cat fleas!
Once inside the human body, B. Henselae grows and replicates.
The average "bite to infection" incubation period can range from three days to three weeks.
The eye's the target
This patient came to the clinic complaining of prolonged red eyes and swelling. On examination through the camera, the doctor found a growth (granulomatous tissue) at the lower eyelid, which was caused by cat scratch disease. — Dr ADRI SHAFITCat scratch disease can occur in people of all ages, although the majority (55-80%) of those affected are teenagers with a median age of fourteen years.
This infection primarily affects the eye, although it can also affect the rest of the body (systemic infection).
The eye involvement in cat scratch disease can be generally divided into two conditions: Parinaud's Oculoglandular Syndrome (POGS) and neuroretinitis.
POGS, quite the tongue-twister, is a syndrome that was originally discovered in the early 19th century by the French ophthalmologist Dr Henri Parinaud.
Patients commonly experience enlarged, tender lymph nodes, especially in the head and neck region; conjunctivitis, a condition where the whitish part of the eye becomes injected; and eyelid swelling that has slow resolution.
It is also common to develop fever, malaise and muscle aches with this condition.
Neuroretinitis is a fancy term that describes the swelling of the nerve layer in the eye.
In this form, B. Henselae can cause intense inflammation, affecting the optic nerve.
This may lead to irreversible damage to a patient's vision, causing permanent blindness.
Although uncommon, systemic involvement may also occur, which can involve the heart, liver and brain.
In some unusual cases, it may lead to death.
Children, the elderly and the immunocompromised are at higher risk of getting this disease.
As bleak as this sounds, fret not.
With the advancement of modern medicine, there are treatments available.
Of course, therapy depends on many factors, including the area of infection, how advanced the disease has progressed, the patient's age, and if systemic involvement is present.
A long course of oral antibiotics is usually prescribed, and patients are reviewed regularly until they have recovered.
Steroids are a consideration in some cases.
The patient's outcome improves exponentially if the condition is detected early, and treatment is commenced immediately.
Practise preventive methods
Cats carry the B. Henselae bacterium in their saliva, so sharing foods with them might result in an infection. — AFP
As we are aware, the bacteria is transferred to humans via cat saliva.
Therefore, practising good hand hygiene after handling pets or other cats is crucial, especially if living with children and/or the immunocompromised.
Superficial bites, cuts and scratches by cats should be washed promptly with clean water and soap.
If such wounds are deep or non-healing, please do seek medical attention immediately.
Pets provide comfort and companionship to most, but especially to the ill, elderly and vulnerable.
ALSO READ: Single and old? Then get a pet to keep off dementia
Hence, the selection of pets for such individuals should be done with the utmost care and attention.
Studies have found that kittens – particularly those less than a year old – are 15 times more likely to be infected with B. Henselae.
Therefore, as adorable as kittens may be, families with susceptible individuals should consider adopting a cat older than one year of age, as this will reduce the risk of cat scratch disease transmission.
Owners should ensure the cats are adopted from pet shelters that are clean and not overpopulated to avoid flea infestation.
People should also not play rough with their pets as they may scratch and bite.
Cats should not be allowed to lick human wounds or scabs, and one should refrain from touching or petting stray cats.
Once a furry feline is part of the family, several measures can be taken.
These include:
Owners can also control flea infestations within the home by regular cleaning and pest control by the relevant agents.
Flea riddance ensures a healthy pet and a safe environment for everyone.
Another consideration would be the spaying and neutering of these home companions to prevent abandonment, as this further perpetuates pet and stray overpopulation.
In summary
The occurrence of cat scratch disease is influenced by the widespread ownership of cats, their prolific breeding, and resultant overpopulation.
This disease can affect both cats and humans through exposure to infected fleas, scratches or bites, with the potential for severe eye complications leading to permanent blindness.
While medical treatment is available, prevention measures include practising good hand hygiene, promptly addressing cat-inflicted injuries, opting for older cats, and practising responsible pet ownership through spaying and neutering to combat overpopulation and to promote a healthier coexistence between pets and humans.
Dr Adri Shafit is a medical officer in ophthalmology at Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin and Dr Shankari Sothirachagan is an ophthalmologist at Universiti Putra Malaysia. For more information, email starhealth@thestar.Com.My. The information provided is for educational and communication purposes only, and should not be considered as medical advice. The Star does not give any warranty on accuracy, completeness, functionality, usefulness or other assurances as to the content appearing in this article. The Star disclaims all responsibility for any losses, damage to property or personal injury suffered directly or indirectly from reliance on such information.
Cat Scratch Fever
Most people recover from this bacterial infection without treatment, but antibiotics may help some people. Complications are more likely to happen in people with compromised immune systems.
Cat scratch fever, also called cat scratch disease (CSD), is a bacterial infection. The disease gets its name because people contract it from cats infected with Bartonella henselae bacteria.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that 12,000 people will be diagnosed with cat scratch fever, and 500 people will be hospitalized each year in the United States. Cases surge both in January — possibly due to increased adoptions of kittens — and in the period between August and November.
You can get cat scratch fever from a bite or scratch from an infected cat. You can also get the disease if saliva from an infected cat gets into an open wound or touches the whites of your eyes. Occasionally, you may get the disease from a flea or a tick carrying the bacterium.
You can't get cat scratch disease from another human.
Anyone who owns or interacts with a cat is at risk of contracting cat scratch fever.
The CDC reports that cat scratch fever is most prevalent in the southern part of the United States and most common among children between the ages of 5 and 9 years old. People who were hospitalized were more likely than outpatients to be male, though the majority of people who are diagnosed are female.
You have an increased risk of becoming seriously ill from cat scratch fever if you have a weakened immune system. People who might fall into this category include those who are pregnant or who are living with:
Cats can carry B. Henselae, but they don't generally get sick from the bacteria. For this reason, you can't always tell if they're carriers. Cats likely contract the bacteria from infected fleas. In very rare instances, humans can contract the bacteria directly from fleas. According to the CDC, around 40 percent of cats carry the bacteria at some time in their lives, most commonly as kittens. Treatment for cats isn't usually recommended.
Common symptoms of cat scratch fever include:
Less common symptoms of cat scratch fever include:
Rare symptoms of cat scratch fever may be linked to a more severe version of the disease. These symptoms include:
A bump or blister may develop on the skin at the site of infection 3 to 10 days after exposure. Other symptoms, such as swollen lymph nodes, may not occur for several days or weeks. Swollen lymph nodes typically occur between one and three weeks.
Conditions that may be mistaken for cat scratch fever include:
If your doctor believes you may have cat scratch fever, they will perform a physical examination. Cat scratch fever is difficult to diagnose from the symptoms alone. A doctor can make an accurate diagnosis by performing a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) blood test to see if the B. Henselae bacteria are present in your body.
There are several possible, but rare, complications of cat scratch fever.
EncephalopathyEncephalopathy is a brain disease that can occur when the bacteria spread to the brain. In some cases, encephalopathy results in permanent brain damage or death.
NeuroretinitisNeuroretinitis is an inflammation of the optic nerve and retina. It causes blurred vision. The inflammation can occur when the bacteria responsible for cat scratch fever travels to the eye. Vision usually improves after the infection is gone.
OsteomyelitisOsteomyelitis is a bacterial infection in the bones, which can result in bone damage. In some cases, the bone damage is so severe that amputation is necessary.
Parinaud oculoglandular syndromeParinaud oculoglandular syndrome is an eye infection with symptoms similar to pink eye. Cat scratch fever is one of the most common causes of this syndrome. It may result from B. Henselae entering the eye directly, or from the bacteria traveling through the bloodstream to the eye. The syndrome usually responds well to antibiotic treatment. In rare cases, surgery is necessary to remove infected tissue from the eye.
Cat scratch fever usually isn't serious and generally doesn't require treatment. Antibiotics can treat people with serious cases of cat scratch fever or weakened immune systems.
Azithromycin (Zithromax) is used to decrease lymph node volume quickly. It's typically prescribed for five days. Other antibiotics sometimes used to treat cat scratch fever infections include:
Treatment times and dosage of these antibiotics vary depending on each clinical case, but they can last from five days to two weeks. Talk to your doctor about possible drug interactions. Drug interactions are also possible if you consume alcohol.
The blister or bump may last between one and three weeks. The swollen lymph nodes usually take two to four months to disappear, but can last from six months to a year or more. They can also result in other complications.
You can prevent cat scratch fever by avoiding contact with cats. If you have a cat, avoid rough play that could lead to you being scratched or bitten. You can also keep their nails trimmed to reduce scratches. Washing your hands after playing with your cat may also help prevent the disease. Don't allow your cat to lick or scratch at your eyes, mouth, or open wounds. You and your pets should also avoid feral cats.
Keep your cat indoors and administer antiflea medication to reduce the risk of your cat contracting B. Henselae. Check your cat for fleas with a flea comb and control fleas in your home with frequent vacuuming. If necessary, a pest control agency can eliminate fleas in your home.
Because young cats and kittens are more likely to carry the disease, people with weakened immune systems can decrease their risk of catching the disease by adopting an older cat instead of a kitten.
Many cases of cat scratch fever resolve on their own, but some cases still require a doctor. Call a doctor if you or your child have been scratched or bitten by a cat and experience these symptoms:
If you've already been diagnosed with cat scratch fever, you should call your doctor as soon as possible if you experience:
Most people get better without treatment, and those who do need treatment generally get better with antibiotics. In some cases, people develop serious complications from the bacteria. These complications are more likely to occur in people who have compromised immune systems.
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