Killer Cat Bites: What You Need To Know
Dog bites may be more common but cat bites are more likely to get infected. When a dog bites, they tear flesh and can even break bones but the wounds are open and easy to clean unlike the deep, needle-like puncture wounds by cats. The results of three year study at the Mayo Clinic were published in the February, 2014 issue of The Journal of Hand Surgery demonstrates just dangerous cat bites can be. Researchers studied 193 people who came to the Mayo Clinic with cat bites. Twenty percent required hospitalization of about three days. The rest were treated as outpatients with oral antibiotics and of those, 21 were later hospitalized due to complications from abscesses and joint mobility. Dr. Brian T. Carlsen, the senior author of the study and a hand surgeon at the Mayo clinic says, “The tendon sheaths, joints are superficial in the hand, and cat bites penetrate easily seeding those spaces with the germ. Once it’s there, it can grow quite rapidly in fluid-filled spaces that don’t have blood circulation, and surgery is often required.”
The bottom line is: if you’ve received a cat bite or even deep scratches or lacerations, please take it seriously and see a doctor, ideally within 8 hours.
Dr. Carlsen does on to say, “Redness, swelling, increasing pain, difficulty in moving the hand and drainage from the wound are all signs that there may be an infection and treatment should be sought.”
The ABCs of Bacteria.
The likely cause of cat bite infection is Pasteurella multocida which is found in the mouth of 90% of healthy cats. But most animal bites are polymicrobial, with both aerobic and anaerobic bacteria. Several species can be isolated at once. Several Pasteurella species are associated with dog and cat bites, including P multocida subspecies multocida, P multocida subspecies septica, Pasteurella stomatis, and Pasteurelladogmatis,Capnocytophaga canimorsus,Capnocytophaga cynodegmi and Bartonella henselae among others.
Wound care 101
- Gently cleanse the skin surrounding the bite wound with a gentle, antiseptic solution. Do not scrub the wound directly to prevent further tissue injury.
- Rinsing with clean water is fine to remove debris and dilute the concentration of bacteria but soaking is of no benefit.
- I use a pure undiluted lavender essential oil on all wounds. There are many scientific studies showing its analgesic, antiseptic and antibacterial properties.
The above study focused on hands but cat bites can occur on any part of the body.
- Areas of highest risk of infection are near joints and bites to the head and neck.
Are you at greater risk?
- Young children and the elderly have thinner skin and more likely to have tissue damage.
- Those using blood thinners like Coumarin.
- Underlying medical diseases, such as diabetes mellitus, chronic liver disease, alcoholism, HIV or other immunodeficiency conditions (including chronic steroid exposure).
- Pregnancy.
How to prevent a cat bite
Domino, pictured above, our former feral, still swipes at me sometimes with his razor sharp claws. He’s taught me to have eyes in the back of my head and develop lightening fast reflexes. Anyone who has experienced a nasty cat attack, knows how painful it can be. Every time I see a cat lunge at Jackson Galaxy on the Animal Planet show, My Cat From Hell, I wince. I know it’s done for drama and TV ratings but most behaviorists agree it’s not wise to antagonize a cat while risking injury.
I’ve been nicked but never seriously bitten by any cat that I’ve worked with. Last week, I was working with a fearful and under-socialized cat who would have loved to shred me. I approached from the side, not head on, at his eye level and allowed him an escape route. I did the slow blink, and didn’t stare even though he was staring at me aggressively. I kept my distance, studied his micro-movement body language and used a toy to engage him. After a couple minutes, his flattened ears bounced up and his eyes showed more curiosity than fear. Never use your hands or feet as toys. They will be perceived as prey.
Watch for signs of tension or fear. Ears pressed to the sides, dilated pupils, hackles up, swishing tail, licking lips. The cat pictured in the header image is a good example of a cat in the early stages of annoyance. If the cat is friendly and allowing petting, watch for over-stimulation. It can shift quickly and the only prevention is hyper-awareness and respecting the cat’s limits. Less is more and when in doubt, STOP, slowly back off and leave the room.
For a more tips, read our article BITE ME It has a good “not what to do” video too.
Tell us about your cat bite experiences.
38 Comments
KarenLPaulsen
I am treating a very serious cat bite right now. I have had 10 days of antibiotics but my pinky looks terrible. I’m trying essential Oils for a day or so to see if that helps but I may need to go back to the doctor. It was my own beautiful cat that bit me. She was having babies or a baby I should say that was huge she was struggling a lot and I tried to help her , big mistake!!! Some communities have pretty strong laws regarding animal bites. I don’t want to go back to the doctor because I have had my beautiful baby and her sister for three years and it was my fault 100%! I wouldn’t want to risk them turning my cats into the law! Hopefully these essential oils will work!
Layla Morgan Wilde
Pasteurella from cat bites is serious. From personal experience, I did 10 days of penicillin and was fine, while someone else I know has to be hospitalized for a week. I would go back to your doctor asap. Essential oils are good as extra help but not in lieu of treatment here and I speak as an expert. I taught aromatherapy for 12 years.
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PepiSmartDog
Holy Cow! This looks like the sorts oft things my 3 kitteh-sibs think of. BOL! Thank you for joining Thankful Thursday Weekly Blog Hop and we look forward to reading your next post. :=o)
Rachelle Reese
Years ago, our cat Divinity got into the backyard with the dogs. Our dachshund Pounce had a strong hold on Divinity. He was in full attack mode. We separated them, but Divinity bit my hand. It was a pretty deep wound between my pinky and ring finger on my right hand (I’m right-handed, wouldn’t you know it). I had to go take a certification test for work that day, so I rinsed it with warm water, put some Neosporin on it, and wrapped it in gauze. I took a couple aspirin and went on to my exam. It throbbed all through the 3-hour exam and probably for about a week after.I kept Neosporin on it and after a few days took the bandage off so it could get air. I don’t remember how long it took before it really healed, but in time, it did.
Polly
I had A cat a while back I called baby kitten who I recused from A 3rd floor Apt. Someone just left him, he was only a kitten. I had the T.V. on one day two cats were on there making noises , he grabbed me on the back of my Ankle, I had to have two stitches. It hurt so bad, & they had to clean it up pieces of skin was picked off.. next time came home from getting groceries & he got the back of my leg . I did not go to doctors but had some antibiotics i took , it took a long time to heal still tender after all those years. Took him to the Human society because I was afraid he would bite my Granddaughter or someone else. He chased my friend right up on car roof. He was a indoor cat that was not fixed but he got out a couple times through the screen. It was very very painful.
Carolyn
Thanks for this, Layla. We’ve all been scratched and/or bitten to varying degrees. I use Lavender oil all the time, but didn’t realise all its healing properties.
Mugg Muggles
I’ve been pretty damn lucky I guess. Never had an infected cat bite. Been scratched much more often, as I tend to overstimulate some kitties and occasionally get whacked.
The time I can’t forget, however, was about 20 years ago when my buddy (I thought) “Sluggo” chomped down onto the area twixt my thumb and forefinger and HELD ON for several seconds. I had a deep puncture that apparently didn’t really ‘break’ the skin, but it took about 36 hours for the hole to close.
Layla Morgan Wilde
MM, so great to hear from you! Glad Sluggo let go. That must have hurt!
Penelope
When Nellie first came to us, she was a horrible cat! She scratched, she bit, she attacked – even now we need welding gloves when we taken her to the vet! I’ve had a few serious bites that have become infected but luckily they have responded to sulfa well (I am allergic to tetracycline and penicillin). Washing the infected areas well, irrigating with lavender oil and if really deep, a little salt water. Stings, but it works for me!
Ciao
Nellie’s Mom
Skeeter and Izzy
I have been bitten and scratched (some very deep) too many times to count and have always cleaned and treated the wounds at home. Luckily I have never had any side effects that required antibiotics. I did almost lose my little finger from a bacterial infection that I aquired thru a tiny tear (didn’t know it was there) from a hangnail. My Dad was in a nursing home and even tho I washed my hands a bazillion times while I was there I picked up a nasty bacteria. My whole finger turned black and looked like a blood blister and was so sensitive that just touching it brought tears. Yuck!!!
Luvs Skeeter and Izzy and the Feral Gang + Twig and Peanut and Romeo >^..^<
Layla Morgan Wilde
How awful! Thanks for sharing how a tiny overlooked detail can balloon (no pun intended). Purrs to the whole gang.
Judy & C.A.T.S
This is very good advise. A few years ago I picked up and injured cat and got bit on my fingers and hand. The wounds looked really ugly. I ended up going to the E.R. I got the wounds cleaned and got a tetanus shot and a shot of antibiotic. I also had to take a course of strong antibiotics for a couple of weeks. They said that if the wounds look like they were getting infected that I would need to come back to the E.R. and get an I.V. bag of antibiotics. I healed up very nicely, I don’t even have any bite marks left. BTW, I do know that you are not supposed to pick up a wounded animal with your bare hands. I reacted without thinking first. I won’t ever do that again.
Layla Morgan Wilde
Judy, thanks so much for sharing your awful ordeal and valuable lesson about wearing protection. It’s easy to forget in the heat of the moment.
Sometimes, Cats Herd You
This is very good advice! Ashton is an overeager biter when it comes to treats, and the head peep is lucky that it hasn’t resulted in an infection. That’s scary stuff, especially as we start to approach a post-antibiotic era. Being careful is really important.
Angel AbbyGrace
Abby bit me once. I knew it was bad and went to the Doctor the next day. She marked the area in pen in a circle and said if it expands beyond this point you must go to the ER. It did.So off to the ER I went. For mega doses of antibiotics administered intravenously. No cat bites need to be taken very seriously.
Layla Morgan Wilde
I didn’t know that about Abby! How big was the circle? That’s serious if you had the intravenous.
Whisppy
I have been bitten and scratched deeply twice. Once by a cat I was grooming. Thankfully there was a clinic right next door so after putting my hand under running water for about 10 mins, I went to the clinic to get it properly cleaned up and some oral antibiotics (my anti-tetanus jab was up to date).
My second bite was by a stray cat my brother picked up. She freaked out (she was a young momcat) when she saw my own cat at the door and ended up biting me (I had to constrain her) and scratching my arm to shreds. It was horrible with blood dripping all over the place but after thorough cleaning, I went to the ER (it was past midnight when it happened) for oral antibiotics.
I do notice that my left pinky have been a little stiff (that was where I was bitten twice) since the bites. But I’m okay. 🙂
Layla Morgan Wilde (Cat Wisdom 101)
Thanks for sharing your story. Its good to remind everyone to keep up to date on tetanus shot boosters.
catherine turley
I am currently recovering from a serious cat bite. worst pain in my life, so probably did sever nerves. I dodged a bullet by having everything on hand to treat it. I immediately started antiobiotics, bled and cleaned the wounds with betadine, then wrapped the entire arm to prevent swelling. that is the key. it does become tight and uncomfortable, and you have to make sure you don’t cut off circulation, but it works. keep the arm elevated at all times. if you don’t have insurance, this could save you a fortune. the only money spent was on a tetanus shot.
Layla Morgan Wilde (Cat Wisdom 101)
Catherine, I’m so sorry to hear about your recent cat bite but grateful that you’ve shared your ordeal. I hope you feel better soon. Thanks for sharing another point. Not everyone has medical insurance and paying out of pocket can be costly.
Brian Frum
Yep, that can really be a serious issue if not tended to immediately!
Coccolino
This is such useful information! Cats can definitely do some serious damage as we know from our previous cat growing up. I still loved him but was very careful and often had to walk backwards with a pillow in front of me at night if I got up!
Layla Morgan Wilde (Cat Wisdom 101)
That’s interesting walking backwards with a pillow. Was the pillow to protect your ankles?
Deb 'n Cats
I was in the garden many years ago. The cat I had at the time was lying in the path, dozing in the afternoon sunshine. I was barefoot. I walked up to him to pet him and accidentally trod on the tail. Feeling particularly annoyed for some reason, he lunged at me and bit my leg, one of his fangs puncturing my skin. I washed the puncture, put antibiotic ointment on it but, within 24 hours, the wound was red and very sore. I went to my doctor who lanced it and deep cleaned it and gave me some robust antibiotic. To my dismay, there was also a card that had to be filled out and sent to the county animal control because it was an animal bite. “But I stepped on his tail!” I protested. There was no place on the card to indicate this was a pet and that the owner had caused the bite. I don’t know if that’s changed because I’ve not been bitten since by any of my cats. It was an accident. I’m so careful now to understand body language and to not try to pet them when they are angry and to watch where the tail is so I don’t step on it.
Layla Morgan Wilde (Cat Wisdom 101)
Deb, thanks for sharing your story. Accidents do happen and that’s good advice to watch where we step at all times. Meal time is another time to be careful of stepping on paws or tails especially in multiple cat households.
Laila and Minchie
Our mom got two cat bites and had to go to the ER each time. She doesn’t fool around with them.
easy rider
Thanks for this post, we have a “man-eating” cat in the family.
da tabbies o trout towne
de kitteh in de header looks like gram paw dude……N him did get a good bite inta de food serviss galz leg onze coz him wuz sassin da be jezuz outta a kitteh on de bak lawn & her came up bee hind & bee side dude ….bad mizzz take
The Swiss Cats
Thank you, great post ! Mum had once a pupil who had to stay at hospital because she had been swiped by cat claws. She has been nailed once or twice, but not deeply, so water and soap were enough. Purrs
Random Felines
great article! the mom has been nailed a few times (a couple by us – oops…misdirected agression once and once when Tommy got startled). she knows get thee to a doctor. 🙂 Fortunately she has never had to be hospitalized.
Connie Marie
Great advice. I like Calendula Creme also, works better than Neosporin!
It is stupid in my opinion to have shows like
Cat From Hell, just for ratings and money. Also shows misperception of cats to a large
audience who doesn’t know better.
I feel the same about Dog Whisperer.
Layla Morgan Wilde (Cat Wisdom 101)
The Dog Whisperer has gotten so much bad press lately and for good reason. His methods have long been criticized by real behaviorists. I like to remind readers: just because someone is on TV doesn’t mean they know what they’re talking about.
Sparkle
Great post! Not long ago, Binga accidentally chomped on my human’s thumb, mistaking it for part of the treat she was holding! Even though the wound bled a lot (which helps any bacteria escape the wound), and she rinsed it like mad, she did not take any chances and went right to urgent care. Between what she did at home and the first aid at the urgent care place, her thumb healed fine. You are so right, humans should NEVER delay in getting a cat bite checked out – delaying is not worth the risk of a serious infection.
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Kathryn
Oh my, I have never been bitten. Scratched, yes, because I picked up a cat in a way it didn’t like and I knew it, and did it anyway. Just a scratch where he (Ched) used his hind legs as a rocket launcher. It was superficial, but I should know better than to hold him like a baby. He only tolerates over the shoulder, not baby in the arms, upside down. Emma Peel liked any kind of holding.Mao also needs holding. Ched, no.
Nerissa's Life
This is SO true. My Peep #1 has been bitten twice.
The first time was at the clinic with my Auntie Primrose. The peep was holdin’ Prim when a really big dog approached ’cause the dog’s owner was too busy chattin’ up the lady behind the counter to notice his dog was on the loose. MO– — — USES! Ol’ Peepers was bitten FOURTEEN times and left a trail of blood down the clinic hallway. My doctor cleaned up the wounds before sending her off to emergency with a note regarding the bacteria business.
The second time was when the peep tried to break up a fight between the cat who came back and nosy neighbour cat. It happened on a Saturday night and she didn’t go to the doctor ’til Monday. MISTAKE! She got a major infection in her wrist and the doctor threatened to hospitalize her but the meds kicked in and she was fine. We cats, on the other paw, had to suffer through her recuperation. Again I say… MO– — — USES!
Bottom line is, don’t get bitten but if you do, go see your doctor right away.
Purrs,
Nissy
Layla Morgan Wilde (Cat Wisdom 101)
Thanks for sharing your story and reminding us never to try to break up a cat fight using our hands.