Cat Bite Symptoms

Although cat bite symptoms range from mild to severe, all bites need treatment to avoid possible serious illness.

Why Do Cats Bite?

There are several reasons why cats bite. They bite because they are not feeling well, or they are scared. Some bite as a form of communication telling you they do not want to be petted any longer. This is known as petting induced aggression, and biting is your cat's way of saying he is over stimulated or has experienced confusion from the physical contact as he became drowsy. This may also occur if you touch a tender spot on your cat’s body. Sometimes over zealous playing, especially with younger cats or kittens, results in an accidental bite.

Common Cat Bite Symptoms

All cat bites, from little nips to deep punctures to open gashes, have the potential of causing a possible infection. The following are signs and symptoms of a cat bite:

• Puncture type wound
• A cut or break in the skin with bleeding
• A cut or break in the skin without bleeding
• Bruising around the site of a cut or puncture wound
• Inflammation around the area of the bite
• Pain around the bite area
• The skin around the area of the wound feels warm and appears red
• Infection with swelling and pus coming from the wound
• Swollen lymph glands in the area of the bite
• Headache
• Fever

Being aware of the symptoms of a cat bite is the first step toward safeguarding your health against serious infection.

Treating a Cat Bite

Treating a cat bite as soon as possible after it occurs helps lower the chance of developing an infection. The following are the steps for treating someone who has been bitten by a cat:

• Reassure the person while remaining calm.
• Wash your hands thoroughly, or put on rubber gloves before beginning treatment.
• If the bite is bleeding, apply pressure directly onto the area using a clean dry cloth until the bleeding stops.
• If the bite is not bleeding or is only bleeding slightly, wash the area for several minutes using anti-bacterial soap and water. Use running water if possible.
• Make certain to rinse all of the soap out of the wound.
• Sterilize the area with Betadine, or soak it in solution of peroxide and warm water or Epsom salts.
• Apply an antibiotic ointment or cream to the site, making sure to coat the area completely.
• Cover the bite with a clean dressing.
• Watch the bite area over the next two days for any signs of infection.

Possible Complications of a Cat Bite

Although both dog and cat saliva contains a number of different bacteria, the chances of a cat bite becoming infected are much higher than those of a dog bite. With their needle-like incisors, long canines and carnassial teeth, cats’ teeth are sharper and longer than their canine counterpart. Their bites generally produce puncture wounds that are narrow, deep and difficult to clean. Mild infections cause feelings of slight discomfort while serious ones cause complications that may become life threatening and even fatal.

Mild Infections

The following are symptoms of mild infection caused by a cat bite:

• Inflammation
• Oozing pus
• Swollen lymph glands
• Fever
• Fatigue
• Rash
• Cat scratch fever

Symptoms of Cat Scratch Fever

Transmitted by a scratch or bite, cat scratch fever, also known as cat scratch disease, is generally not serious to people with healthy immune systems. However, go to your doctor if you develop symptoms. The most common treatment is a prescription of antibiotics. If you suffer from a compromised immune system due to any medical condition or are receiving chemotherapy, seek medical attention immediately if a cat bites you.

Symptoms of cat scratch fever generally occur three to thirty days after the bite with most cases developing in the first one to two weeks. The illness usually lasts two to four months but may last up to a year. Symptoms include:

• A blister or small bump develops at the site of the bite
• Lymph nodes in the area become tender and swollen and may drain pus
• Low fever
• Headache
• Fatigue
• Sore throat
• Rash
• Loss of appetite

Possible Complications of Serious Infections

Without proper treatment of the initial bite area, the bacterium travels throughout the body in the bloodstream in some cases. Although the following complications are rare, they are possible:

• Meningitis
• Pneumonia
• Heart infection
• Lung abscess
• Heart abscess
• Inflammation of bone or bone marrow
• Septic arthritis

When to Seek Medical Treatment

Always seek immediate medical treatment for a cat bite if any of the following occur:

• The bite is on the neck, face, hands or fingers
• The bite was from an unknown or feral cat
• The bite is very large or deep
• The bleeding will not stop with applied pressure
• You think the area needs stitches
• The person bitten has not received a tetanus shot within the last five years
• The bite area becomes red, swollen and painful, or pus begins draining from the wound

A Word of Caution

Never attempt to break up a cat fight with your hands. If you find yourself in the position of stopping a cat fight make a loud noise, spray the cats with a hose or try to separate the cats using a broom.

Conclusion

Being aware of cat bite symptoms and the proper method of treating bites reduces your chances of acquiring an infection.

• Holiday Cat Collars
• Cute Fuzzy Kittens
• Activity Cat Tree Furniture
• Cat Breed Quiz

• Feline Hair Loss
• Cat Meow Sound
• Cats Illness Symptoms
• Illness In Older Cats Symptoms Of Dying
• Symptoms Bloody Stool in Cats

• Discourage Kitty From Playing in the Bathroom
• Feline Turkey Loaf
• Feline Distemper Symptoms
• Cat Fights
• Cat Distemper Symptoms