Cat & Dog Bites

Cat and dog bites account for 1 percent of all emergency room visits in the United States, according to the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. Louisiana State University claims that up to 80 percent of cat bites cause infection, while up to 18 percent of dog bites cause infection.

Cat Bites

• Cats have thin, needle-sharp teeth, which can cause deep, penetrating puncture wounds. Cats have a lot of bacteria in the mouth and saliva, and due to the deepness of a cat bite, it is often difficult to clean the wound effectively. Most cat bites occur on the hand, which further increases the risk of infection, as circulation is weakest in the limbs, so the body has less ability to fight infection in these areas.

Dog Bites

• Dogs have large, blunted teeth, so a dog bite does not usually penetrate as deeply as a cat's. Large dogs can exert forces in excess of 450 pounds per inch when biting, so injuries caused from dog bites are most commonly crushing and tearing wounds. Louisiana State University reports that dog bites are responsible for 15 to 20 deaths every year in the United States, the victims usually being children. Crushed tissue from bites is prone to infection due to the decreased circulation and trauma sustained by the affected tissue.

Treatment

• If a bite is sustained, the wound should be cleaned, and pressure applied to stem bleeding. Medical advice should be sought if bleeding continues after 15 minutes or if you suffer from any condition that affects your immune system. At the first sign of infection, such as increased tenderness, swelling or fever, medical aid must be sought. A tetanus booster may be required if your last tetanus injection was more than five years before the bite occurred.