Although dogs get a bad rap for the dangerous injuries their bites can cause, they are far from being the only domestic critter whose bite can cause serious damage and even death to humans. Cat bites may not be as common as dog bites, but they can be just as damaging. Cats have harmful bacteria in their mouths and needle-sharp teeth that can deliver the bacteria to vulnerable body parts in just one quick bite. It is important to get cat bites checked and treated right away, and, if you or your child have been bitten by a cat, to speak with a personal injury professional who can help you determine whether you can hold the cat’s owner responsible for the personal injury and medical expenses.
Cat Bite Infection Rates
Although domestic cats are usually vaccinated against serious diseases like rabies, studies suggest around 400,000 cat bites happen in the U.S. every year and around 50 percent of cat bites in children become infected. At first, an infected cat bite may only feel painful and appear red and swollen. If left untreated, however, the infection can spread and cause septicemia, or blood poisoning. Septicemia requires hospitalization and can even be fatal.
What Germs Are in a Cat’s Mouth?
Cats have a reputation for being clean animals, and perhaps compared to dogs that love to roll in smelly stuff, this is true. But cat mouths contain many types of bacteria that are dangerous to humans and which are easily trapped in a small puncture wound. These bacteria include, but are not limited to:
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