Animal bites
An animal bite that breaks your skin exposes you to multiple bacteria, both from bacteria that may be on your skin and bacteria in the animal’s mouth. If the bite barely breaks the skin, you have a better chance of cleaning the wound well and preventing infection. But deep bites are puncture wounds, and bacteria can go in deep with these types of bites.
Dog bites are the most common ones related to pets, but cat bites cause 10% to 20% of animal bites in the U.S. At first, they may not appear to cause as much damage as dog bites, but their smaller teeth and deep punctures can make it hard to clean out a wound properly.
Many households, especially with children, have pets like guinea pigs and hamsters. These animals can also bite and cause infections.
Signs of an infected bite may include:
If an animal bites you, it’s essential to check with the owner to ensure that the vaccinations are up-to-date. If not, see your doctor and explain which vaccinations the dog did not have. If you don’t know the dog that bit you, this should be reported to animal control in your area.
All scratches, even human ones, can become infected. Signs of an infected scratch are similar to that of a bite.
Cat scratch disease is an illness literally caused by a cat’s scratch. The Bartonella henselae bacteria cause it. Although the infection can happen anytime throughout the year, it is more common in the fall and winter. If a cat scratches you, clean the wound well and watch for signs of infection. These include:
If you see any signs of infection, see your doctor as soon as possible to see if you need antibiotics.
If you have an animal bite or scratch, be sure to clean the wound thoroughly with warm running water. Keep the wound clean and dry until a scab forms to reduce the risk of infection.
If you suspect sepsis, call 9-1-1 or go to a hospital and tell your medical professional, “I AM CONCERNED ABOUT SEPSIS.
Would you like to share your story about sepsis or read about others who have had sepsis? Please visit Faces of Sepsis, where you will find hundreds of stories from survivors and tributes to those who died from sepsis.
People who are infected with Capnocytophaga can have a range of signs and symptoms such as:
After being bitten, most people who become ill will show symptoms within 3 to 5 days, but this can range anywhere from 1 to 14 days.
Capnocytophaga infection can cause serious complications, including heart attack, kidney failure, and gangrene. Some people may need to have fingers, toes, or even limbs amputated because of complications from severe infection.
Most Capnocytophaga infections usually occur with dog or cat bites. But some people who develop a Capnocytophaga infection have not been bitten. People may be infected after close contact with a dog or cat, especially after contact with the animal’s saliva (spit).
If you have been bitten by a dog or cat, wash the bite area right away with soap and water, and call your doctor, even if you don’t feel sick. This is because dog and cat bites can pose a risk for rabies, as well as Capnocytophaga. Related Links
Dog Bite Infection: Cellulitis
Pasteurella multocida and pasteurella canis are bacterial organisms that live in the mouths of many dogs. When passed to humans through a bite, they can lead to a serious infection known as cellulitis. Symptoms of this infection typically manifest within the first 24 hours of the bite and include:
Cellulitis spreads fast, especially in children. If left untreated, symptoms can grow worse and lead to:
Typically, treating cases of cellulitis requires a 7 to 10-day treatment period with anti-bacterial medicines, such as amoxicillin and penicillin.