Cat lovers all across Virginia are likely very tempted to give the local neighborhood cat a pet when it passes by. Unfortunately, cat bites can actually be even more dangerous to your health than dog bites.
First of all, cats and dogs house different types of bacteria in their mouths. There are several strains of bacteria found specifically in a cat’s mouth that can cause a lot of harm to the human body when transferred via bite. The sharp fangs of a cat also act as a perfect delivery mechanism for this bacteria. They can puncture deeply into the skin, potentially even piercing through the fatty subcutaneous layer if the bite is violent enough.
When this bacteria is injected into the blood stream or flesh, it can cause many issues. For example, gangrene or sepsis can occur if a bite is left untreated and the wound becomes infected. Dangerous bacteria can quickly infiltrate your blood and cause high fevers, respiratory problems, dizziness, confusion, paranoia, and heart trouble.
An untreated cat bite can begin showing signs of severe infection within the first hour or two. By the time six hours have passed, severe bacteria will have already done a decent amount of damage. This is why it’s important to see a doctor for any cat bite, no matter how severe you think it may be.
Are you curious to read more about the potential dangers associated with cat bites? You can view our web page on personal injury if you would like to take a more in-depth look into that or other personal injury cases.
