Medical Terminology for Cat Bite
The medical term for a cat bite is "feline bite wound" or "cat bite injury." This terminology is used in clinical settings to document and classify injuries caused by cats 1.
Epidemiology and Clinical Significance
Cat bites represent a significant portion of animal bite injuries, though they are less common than dog bites. While they may appear minor, cat bites have important clinical implications:
- 20-80% of cat bites become infected, compared to only 3-18% of dog bites 2, 3
- Infections can develop rapidly, often within 3-12 hours after the bite 4
- Cat bites have a higher proportion of osteomyelitis and septic arthritis compared to dog bites 1
Microbiological Profile
The infectious risk of cat bites is directly related to their unique microbiological profile:
- Approximately 90% of domestic cats carry Pasteurella multocida in their oral cavity 2
- Pasteurella species are isolated from 75% of infected cat bite wounds 1
- Cat bites have a greater prevalence of anaerobes (65%) compared to dog bites (50%) 1
- Common pathogens include:
- Pasteurella multocida (predominant pathogen)
- Staphylococci and streptococci (found in ~40% of bites)
- Anaerobes (Bacteroides species, fusobacteria, Porphyromonas species)
- Capnocytophaga canimorsus (particularly dangerous in immunocompromised patients)
Clinical Presentation
Infected cat bites typically present with:
- Erythema, pain, and edema, often emerging as early as 3 hours after the bite 4
- Wounds may be nonpurulent (42%), purulent (39%), or abscesses (19%) 1
- Pain disproportionate to injury near a bone or joint may suggest periosteal penetration 1
Complications
Potential complications of cat bite wounds include:
- Septic arthritis
- Osteomyelitis
- Subcutaneous abscess formation
- Tendonitis
- Bacteremia and sepsis (particularly in immunocompromised patients) 5
- Hand wounds are often more serious than wounds to fleshy parts of the body 1
Treatment Considerations
For infected cat bite wounds, antimicrobial therapy should target the specific pathogens:
- Amoxicillin-clavulanate is the recommended first-line oral therapy 1
- First-generation cephalosporins, penicillinase-resistant penicillins, macrolides, and clindamycin have poor activity against P. multocida and should be avoided 1
- For patients with penicillin allergies, doxycycline is an appropriate alternative 1
- Intravenous options for severe infections include β-lactam/β-lactamase combinations, piperacillin/tazobactam, and carbapenems 1
Prevention and Early Management
- Wounds should be cleansed with sterile normal saline and superficial debris removed 1
- Tetanus prophylaxis should be considered if vaccination status is not current 1
- Primary wound closure is generally not recommended except for facial wounds 1
- Elevation of the injured body part, especially if swollen, accelerates healing 1
Cat bite wounds require prompt medical attention due to their high infection rate and potential for serious complications, particularly when they involve the hands, joints, or occur in immunocompromised individuals.