BITE WOUND INFECTIONS

What is the cause of bite wounds on a cat? Over 90% of infected wounds in cats result from cat bites sustained during a cat fight.  Dog, raccoon, and other animal bites can occur but they are much less common. 

Why do cats fight?  Cats are instinctively very territorial.  They fight with other cats to protect their territory or to acquire more territory.  As a result, bite wounds are common in cats.  Fight wounds frequently result in infection that can make cats quite ill, especially if left untreated.  Fighting is more common in male cats than females especially if the cats are un-neutered males.

My male cat has been neutered.  Why does he still fight? Un-neutered male cats are very territorial; they will defend an area around their home but continually try to expand the borders of their territory.  The desire for more territory and the need to keep intruders out of their existing territory means that they are constantly fighting with other cats.  In contrast, neutered male cats defend a smaller area of territory around their home.  If this territory is breached by another cat they will defend it by fighting.  The frequency of fighting will depend on the number of cats in the neighborhood and particularly the presence of un-neutered male cats.  Female cats will also defend their territory by fighting with other cats.

What can I do to stop my cat from being bitten? Spaying or neutering is recommended but this may not completely eliminate fighting.  Confining the cat to your house, particularly at night when cat fights are most common, will reduce the number of bites your cat sustains. 

What happens after a cat has been bitten?  When a cat bites, its teeth readily puncture the skin, leaving small wounds in the skin which rapidly seal over, trapping bacteria from the cat's mouth under the skin of the victim.  The bacteria multiply under the skin.  For several days there may be no sign of infection but then swelling and pain at the puncture sight are noticed.  The cat may also have a fever.  If the site of the bite is covered by loose skin, a pocket of pus will develop forming an abscess.  In areas where the skin is not loose such as on the foot, or the tail the infection spreads through the tissues and causes cellulitis. Rarely there may be more serious consequences such as septic arthritis (infection of a joint space), osteomyelitis (infection of bone) or pyothorax (the chest cavity becomes filled with pus).

What should I do if I know my cat has just been bitten? If you know that your cat has bite wounds, take him/her to your veterinarian immediately.  Antibiotics given within twenty-four hours will usually stop the spread of infection and may prevent the development of an abscess.  If several days have elapsed since the fight, an abscess will usually form, requiring more involved medical treatment.

How will I know if my cat has a bite wound if I can't find any bite marks? Puncture wounds heal very quickly so there is often nothing to see or feel.  The most common sites of bites are on the head, forelimbs or at the base of the tail.  If cats have been bitten on a limb, the leg is usually painful and limping may be seen.  It may be possible to feel heat and swelling in the area of the bite.  Some cats may just be lethargic and have a fever.  Many cats will excessively groom the injured area. 

How should I manage the wound after my veterinarian has treated it?  After your veterinarian has drained an abscess, a wound may be left.  It may be deliberately left open to allow for drainage.  It is advisable to clean the wound twice a day for several days to keep it open, as directed by your veterinarian.

With large abscesses, your veterinarian may recommend a technique called debridement, in which all the infected tissue is removed, including any inflamed tissues that have walled off the abscess from the body.  The resulting "clean" wound will be closed with sutures.  In some situations, your veterinarian may also place a drainage tube in the wound, to allow any discharges to escape.  You will be instructed by your veterinarian, to clean the drainage holes.  Your veterinarian may advise you to keep your cat indoors until the abscess heals. 

Are there any possible problems associated with bite wound infections?  Bite wounds are considered to be the main route of transmission of some important feline infections, most notably, feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) and feline leukemia virus (FeLV).  Blood tests should be performed after any bite wounds to diagnose these infections.

 If you think your cat has a bite wound, please call us at 952-929-0074 immediately to schedule an appointment.  We will do everything we can to make sure your pet has a safe and happy life!