Cat Bites Hospitalize People One Third of the Time

Careful around kitty. A recent study has revealed that one in three serious bites to the hand from a cat resulted in hospitalization.

The study, published in the Journal of Hand Surgery, looked at all patients recently treated at the Mayo medical clinic where the study's authors work. The medical records of patients who came in with cat bites between 2009 and 2012 were analyzed, leading to researchers to conclude that 30% of all patients with cat bites to the hand were hospitalized.

But why is this? The average feline certainly doesn't have the chompers to bite a finger off. The real threat is with infection. While other domesticated animals like dogs have dull canines, cats have long and very sharp teeth capable of puncturing deep into the hand. There, deep within a wound, is where bacterial infection poses the greatest threat.

Of the 193 patients seen, 57 were hospitalized and eight required more than one surgery to resolve the infection. According to the study, of those who had surgery, very few were without complications.

It isn't like the bacteria cats commonly carry in their mouths is more dangerous than the bacteria of other animals either. Again, according to the research, it's just all about placement.

Researchers concluded the study stating that symptoms that will likely result in the need for hospitalization include "location of the bite over a joint or tendon sheath, erythema, pain, and swelling."

These findings may help hand doctors in the future more quickly and effectively treat their patient before a complicated infection can get out of hand -- no pun intended. Likewise, owners of outdoor cats may just take those sharp little teeth a bit more seriously. They aren't just for show after all.

The study was published by the Journal of Hand Surgery on November 4.