According to researchers from the Mayo Clinic, although cats do not have more microbes and bacteria than dogs or humans in their mouths, they have sharp teeth that can penetrate deeper into the skin. This is what can cause bacteria to enter the skin and tissues so that it can increase the risk of serious infection.
"Blunt dog teeth can not penetrate deep into the skin, otherwise their bites tend to leave only larger wounds. While the cat's teeth are sharper and can penetrate very deeply, "explained senior author of the study Brian Carlsen who is also a plastic surgeon and hand aortopedi.
Bites that enter the tissues, muscles or joints, can cause enormous problems. Because microbes that enter through cat bites can directly come into contact with blood and immune.
The researchers performed an analysis of about 200 cat bites that lasted between 2009 and 2011. Bite victims from all cases in this study were bitten in the hands. The average age of the bitten victim was a 49-year-old victim, 69% of whom were women.
About half of the victims were rushed to the emergency department, and others visited primary care physicians. The average waiting time of the victim from being bitten to get therapy that is for 27 hours.
The researchers stated that 57% of the bite victims needed to be treated, but only 37% of the rest only needed to seek rapid relief. 38% of victims need to clean their wounds and remove infected tissue. Even 8 victims need to be treated more than once surgery and some need a small operation.
The study published in the Journal Of Hand Sugery states that, cat bites need to be taken seriously and the treating physician should be more careful, especially when the bite victim experiences skin inflammation and swelling. "Cases like this need to be dealt with quickly, this can be serious," Carlsen said.
