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 wounds 

Cat 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 bitten 

If 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.  

Animal Bite And Scratch Exposure

Introduction

An animal bite or exposure is defined as having one's skin pierced or abraded by animal teeth or claws, or by coming in contact with animal saliva or tissue on abraded skin, eyes, or mucus membranes. Bites and scratches are potentially dangerous not only from the physical damage but also for the potential of contracting zoonotic disease or allergic reactions.

Animal Bite Related Diseases

Pasteurellosis: The most common bite-associated infection is caused by a bacterium called Pasteurella . Most cats and dogs-even healthy ones-naturally carry this organism in their mouths. When an animal bites a person, these bacteria can enter the wound and start an infection. The first signs of pasteurellosis usually occur within 2 to 12 hours of the bite and include pain, reddening, and swelling of the area around the site of the bite. Pasteurellosis can progress quickly, spreading through the body from the bitten area. Untreated, this infection can lead to severe complications. Bites to the hand need special attention; if pasteurellosis develops in the tissues of the hand, the bacteria can infect tendons or even bones and sometimes cause permanent damage if appropriate medical care is not administered promptly.

Rat-Bite Fever: Rat-bite fever is caused by Streptobacillus moniliformis or Spirillum minor; these organisms are in the respiratory tracts and mouths of rodents, especially rats. Most human infections are the result of a bite wound. Symptoms include chills, fever, malaise, headache and muscle pain. A rash can develop along with painful joints, abscesses, endocarditis, pneumonia, hepatitis pyelonephritis, and enteritis.

Rabies: Rabies is a preventable viral disease of mammals most often transmitted through the bite of a rabid animal. The vast majority of rabies cases reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) each year occur in wild animals like raccoons, skunks, bats, and foxes. Domestic animals account for less than 10% of the reported rabies cases, with cats, cattle, and dogs most often reported rabid.

Rabies virus infects the central nervous system, causing encephalopathy and ultimately death. Early symptoms of rabies in humans are nonspecific, consisting of fever, headache, and general malaise. As the disease progresses, neurological symptoms appear and may include insomnia, anxiety, confusion, slight or partial paralysis, excitation, hallucinations, agitation, hypersalivation (foaming at the mouth), difficulty swallowing, and hydrophobia. Death usually occurs within days of the onset of symptoms.

Bite Prevention Laboratory

Species specific animal handling techniques are taught by the Laboratory Animal Program veterinary staff and the animal facility management staff.

Rabies prevention post bite steps do not apply to laboratory rodents, i.E., rats, mice, rabbits, or hamsters.

If possible, direct handling of wild animals or any animals suspected of being infected should be avoided by using tongs, bite gloves, squeeze cages, shields, or other protective equipment.

Animals known to be aggressive should always be handled by a minimum of two people.

Non-Laboratory

Do not approach or try to pet or handle strange dogs, cats, squirrels, raccoons, possums, bats, or other wild animals.

Avoid injured animals or animals that are behaving oddly, (staggering or nocturnal animal sighted during the day).

Report animals that are demonstrating odd behavior to the local animal control officer

Post Bite Procedures

If possible, confine the animal to prevent any further injuries and to allow quarantine or immediate rabies testing. It is important to have the name and address of the animal's owner so that EHS can conduct follow-up procedures. If ownership is unknown, record the address where the bite occurred so the local animal control officer can begin a search.

If the bite breaks the skin, treat it as a minor wound. Wash the area thoroughly with soap and water, apply an antibiotic cream, and cover it with a clean bandage. If the bite creates a deep puncture or the skin is badly torn and bleeding, apply pressure to stop the bleeding.

Seek medical attention right away for any animal bite or injury. Based on the information gathered, a post exposure prophylaxis recommendation will be developed by the health care provider.

Immediately report the incident to the facility animal care supervisor, Laboratory Animal Program, Purdue Student Health Center Urgent Care, and the Principal Investigator.

Animal Bite Monitoring

Potential exposure to serious zoonotic diseases, such as rabies, is monitored by the Indiana State Department of Health, by the Purdue Laboratory Animal Program (LAP), and by the Purdue Radiological Environmental Management Department (EHS). Animal bites are a state reportable health event. The Indiana State Department of Health "Animal Bite Report - Report of Rabies Prophylaxis" form must be completed by the health care provider.

Contact and Links

Biosafety Officer: Robert Golden (765)494-1496

Brit Suffers Mysterious Bacterial Infection After A Cat Bite

A man in the UK developed an "extensive" mysterious bacterial infection after being bitten by a stray cat, new search has revealed.

The 48-year-old's illness left scientists in shock after he arrived in A&E with painful hand swelling, multiple puncture wounds and abrasions, around eight hours after he was first bitten.

This particular case was recorded in 2020 and was recently published in the journal Emerging Infectious Diseases.

The Brit was treated for a potential infection and was given a booster dose of the tetanus vaccine which prevents tetanus, an infection caused by Clostridium tetani bacteria.

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He was also given oral antibiotics before being discharged, but he returned to hospital only 24 hours later with an infection on his hand, specifically in his left little and right middle finger, The Independent reports.

Unfortunately, the UK resident had to undergo a procedure, where doctors surgically removed the damaged tissue around his bite wounds and gave him three other antibiotics through his veins.

This treatment seemed to do the job and led to a successful recovery.

If you are bitten by a cat you should wash the wound straight away and see a doctor for advice (Image: Getty)

But when it came to analysing the infected tissue from the man's right middle finger for microorganisms, researchers, including those from Cambridge University Hospitals found an "unknown" organism that was similar to Streptococcus, a bacteria which can cause meningitis.

The bacteria didn't match any strains on record, indicating it had never been found and documented before.

Scientists found the new bacteria belonged to a bacteria species called Globicatella, suggesting it is a "distinct and previously undescribed species."

The bacterial revelation "highlights the role of cats as reservoirs of as yet undiscovered bacterial species that have human pathogenic potential," explains researchers.

They also documented cats can sometimes cause "deep-tissue bite injuries", with the "direct inoculation of their saliva posing a high risk of secondary infection."

If you are bitten by a cat, you are advised to wash the wound instantly with soap or salt and to consult your GP straight away.

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