Which is worse, a dog or a cat bite? And when should we worry about it?
If you had thrown in human, that would have been the clear winner. In James 3:6, the apostle tells us that the tongue is “a world of evil” which adversely impacts the rest of our bodies. While he was operating on a more spiritual level, it remains true that the human tongue and mouth are indeed “evil” when it comes to the presence of multiple bacteria that can cause a host of problems. That’s also true of dogs and cats, but a human bite can be far worse. But let’s get back to the above question, and start with cat bites.
The bite of a cat can cause serious problems, usually much worse than that of a dog. Not only do they harbor different and more hostile bacteria than dogs, but these bites can seem minor at first—maybe only several innocuous puncture wounds. Don’t be fooled. Bacteria driven deep into our soft tissues can quickly take hold and cause a significant infection. This is especially true for wounds to the hands and legs—favorite targets for these carnivores. And injuries to the face can cause life-long cosmetic challenges.
Is this the same as “cat scratch fever”?
No, that’s a song by Ted Nugent. Usually referred to as “cat scratch disease,” this is a commonly entered problem seen following a cat scratch or bite. Most affected are children and young adults, and seen most frequently on the hands and arms. This infection is caused when a specific type of bacteria enters the skin, forms a localized lesion, and spreads to a nearby lymph node, causing it to swell. That’s the trademark of this problem, with the swelling noted about two weeks after the bite or scratch, and enlarging to as much as two inches in diameter. All of these infections need to be treated with antibiotics, which shorten the course from four months to about three weeks, and reduce the risk of more serious complications, such as eye problems, nervous system injuries, as well as liver and spleen infections. This is nothing to mess around with.
Now let’s consider dog bites, whether it be your own pet, a neighbor’s dog, or a stray and strange canine wandering down the street. These wounds will need attention. Larger dogs have strong jaws and large teeth, causing substantial skin and soft tissue damage, and the threat of infection is ever-present. Hands and fingers are especially problematic—with the potential for long-term scarring and contracture—and of course facial injuries in a child scare all of us. The face of a young child is at a large dog’s mouth level, and as parents, we need to always be watchful. But should a bite occur, this has life-long implications, and your child deserves the best of care. Insist on it.
The treatment of these wounds needs to be aggressive, which includes a complete examination of the areas around the bite, thorough cleansing with something that kills bugs, consideration of the use of a prophylactic antibiotic, and the judicious implementation of wound closure (sutures). Conventional wisdom, wherever that came from, has been that none of these wounds should be closed, since doing so will most likely lead to a serious infection. (Not proven.) Just wash them out, cover them over, and let them heal on their own. That’s the easy way out for the healthcare provider, and the bad way out for the patient. Unless over the hands and fingers, or in the presence of diabetes or large and severely damaged tissue, these bites can be carefully sutured and observed closely. This almost always results in much quicker healing times and less scarring, important considerations for young patients, especially those with facial injuries. If your provider doesn’t offer the use of sutures, ask them why not. And maybe ask them what they would do for their child.
When do we worry about rabies?
This is another important consideration, especially when dealing with a stray dog or cat. In most states, healthcare providers are required to report these bites to an animal control agency, and these individuals will investigate the circumstances and recommend appropriate follow-up, including the need for rabies vaccination. Note that this is “required,” and while sometimes aggravating in the heat of the moment, it’s a helpful service, and these men and women are simply doing their job.
The bottom line here is that every dog or cat bite or scratch should be taken seriously. Don’t wait around to see what happens.
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