Description Cat bites are espec...
Description
Cat bites are especially prone to become infected. The cats teeth can penetrate deeply into the tissue, and bacteria from the cat's mouth and saliva can enter the wound. The most common kind of bacteria to infect a cat bite is Pasturella multocida.
Symptoms
Pain, swelling, redness, red streaks up the arm or leg, fever, nausea, yellow foul smelling discharge from the wound.
Tests
Common tests used for diagnosis and treatment
Workup:
A history and physical will be done. The skin affected by the cat bite will be examined, and the nerve and tendon function will be tested.
Tests:
Wound culture
Specialists:
Internal Medicine, Pediatrics, Family Practice, Infectious Disease Medicine, Pediatric Infectious Disease Medicine
Workup:
A history and physical will be done. The skin affected by the cat bite will be examined, and the nerve and tendon function will be tested.
Tests:
Wound culture
Specialists:
Internal Medicine, Pediatrics, Family Practice, Infectious Disease Medicine, Pediatric Infectious Disease Medicine
Treatment
The wound needs to be cleaned and irrigated. Most patients with cat bites should receive antibiotics as soon as possible, to help prevent an infection. Once infected the cat bite may need to be opened to drain any infected liquid. Antibiotics may be given by mouth or through an intravenous line (IV) depending on the severity of the infection. The usual antibiotics selected include: penicillin, amoxicillin, cephalexin, and erythromycin.