All bites inflicted on humans either by individuals of the same species or by cats, dogs, reptiles, rodents, etc., represent approximately one percent of emergency room visits with an estimated yearly health care cost of more than thirty million dollars. Most cat wounds are caused by domestic animals. Stray cats are responsible for some of these injuries, usually inflicted while reacting out of fear as they are offered food or are touched by friendly and compassionate individuals. These wounds are of a wide variety, from the superficial non-bleeding scratches on hands or arms, well known by all cat owners, to the serious such as scrapes and cuts of fingers with involvement of small joints, nerves or blood vessels. The very serious injuries affecting eyes and eyelids, nose, lips or ears, with tears of the skin and other delicate tissues, require immediate medical attention and often, surgical repair. The majority of wounds are sustained on the hands and forearms. Wounds on the face, scalp, ears and neck follow; less frequent are those suffered on legs, feet or the chest. The small and superficial non-bleeding wounds usually do not need more care other than thorough washing with tap water and soap and the application of a light dressing such as a band-aid if judged necessary.

When the lacerations are deeper, reaching beyond the very thin layers of the skin, the situation becomes serious because germs and dirt are always inoculated into deep tissues by the cat's teeth or claws. At this point, we should make sure that the animal's rabies shots are up to date. Also, because of soil contamination of deep wounds, tetanus immunization must be checked on the injured person and updated if necessary. The main point to remember is that if wounds caused by cats elicit blood, even very little, prompt medical attention must be sought. Penetrating wounds are particularly serious when they affect tendons and joints, because these tissues defend themselves poorly against infections due to their limited blood supply. Immediate treatment is in order to prevent settling of infections that may cause serious or even fatal complications when diabetes or arteriosclerosis are present. Also when the responses of the immune system are diminished because of medical treatments for cancer, viral infections, prior removal of the spleen or other reasons. Unfortunately, many individuals do not seek early treatment after being injured: It is common for medical personnel to start treatment of wounds several hours or even days after there were sustained.

Many injuries will not be treated at all or will receive insufficient or inappropriate care. Occasionally, the consequences of lacerations or other wounds caused by cats will become apparent long time after their occurrence: Cat Scratch Disease, difficult to recognize and treat, has been diagnosed more than twenty years after having been in contact with cats. Some individuals do not even remember being scratched or bitten. There is also the possibility that the infection took place after just handling the animal and later inadvertently touching one's eyelids or lips: a small percentage of cases are caused when saliva or tears from a cat reach the conjunctiva.

Over the years, many cases of infectious diseases, some fatal, originating from being in contact with cats or from any number of injuries caused by them, have been reported in medical journals. Probably the most common of these diseases is diarrhea in children and adolescents, severe at times, caused by germs carried by approximately half of the total cat population. Other diseases caused by cats include several types of skin lesions caused by bacteria or parasites, intraabdominal infections, even abortions, when the placenta is affected.

Toxoplasmosis, caused by a small parasite, is also transmitted from cats to humans: It is of particular importance when it affects pregnant mothers because of the dramatic consequences of its presence: the parasites may reach the unborn child's nervous system and destroy vital tissues. These lesions will be responsible for many future disorders such as mental retardation, learning and motor disabilities, etc., after birth. If at all possible, pregnant mothers should avoid all contact with cats; if cats are in the household, thorough hand washing is a must after touching the animal, its food or water dishes, toys, litter box, etc. Scarlet Fever and Rheumatic Fever are also diseases important to mention here because they are caused by germs frequently carried by otherwise healthy household pets, including the family dog. Repeated bouts of streptococcal [strep] throat infections in a family justify looking for the presence of the responsible bacteria in pets. If this search is positive, the animals must be examined and treated by a veterinarian. Treatment of the family cat or dog should be carried out simultaneously with treatment of all the members of the household, in order to successfully eradicate the offending germs. Untreated of poorly treated streptococcal infections may have very serious consequences: destruction of kidney and heart tissues, which in turn may cause catastrophic complications... Visit our sites for more interesting health and medical information: Hlife.info * MedixNet.info

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