Medical Care after Cat Bites: A Typical Case and Review

Abstract

Pet cat bites are common — the most typical patient being a child, and the most typical locality hands and face. The normal flora of a pet cat’s mouth houses very potent pathogens. Therapeutic measures include wound cleansing, prophylaxis against tetanus and possibly rabies. Antibiotic prophylaxis should be administered in the cases of all but the mildest superficial wounds especially if the wound is in the hand or face. We present a review on the medical care of cat bite wounds and a typical case of a patient who developed rapid symptoms and signs of infection after a pet cat bite and nearly required hospitalization. The clinical picture was consistent with a Pasteurella infection.