It’s inevitable that those working or living with cats will need to deal with cat bites and the likely infection of the bite wounds. Andee Bingham offers perspective on cats that bite and treatment options for bite wounds.
Source: Catster, January 26, 2018.
Cat bites are exceptionally dangerous and prone to infection because a cat’s needle-like teeth can push bacteria deep into flesh, tendons and joints. The small but deep puncture wounds are hard to thoroughly clean and tend to trap bacteria inside, where it quickly spreads.
Also see: Cat scratch disease, CDC website.
Cat-scratch disease (CSD) is a bacterial infection spread by cats. The disease spreads when an infected cat licks a person’s open wound, or bites or scratches a person hard enough to break the surface of the skin. CSD is caused by a bacterium called Bartonella henselae. About 40% of cats carry B. henselae at some time in their lives, although most cats with this infection show NO signs of illness.
INSIGHTS: Think feline flea control! Cats frequently get infected with B. henselae from flea bites and flea dirt (droppings) getting into their wounds. By scratching and biting at the fleas, cats pick up the infected flea dirt under their nails and between their teeth. They can also become infected by fighting with other infected cats.