Although the cat's bite is weaker than the dog's, it often causes a deep wound and exposes to a greater number of complications.
The felines, in fact, have long, thin and sharp teeth that manage to penetrate the muscle tissue and, when the hand is affected, they can reach the joints, tendons and bones, inoculating the bacteria present in their mouth. The small punctures at the entrance of the cat's teeth, then, tend to close spontaneously hiding a wound that proceeds several millimeters below the surface of the skin. This allows the proliferation of germs which can develop into rather serious complications, such as septic arthritis and osteomyelitis.
Furthermore, the inflicted bite of the feline can also transmit " cat scratch disease " (bartonellosis), pasteurellosis, rabies and tetanus . For this reason, wounds should never be underestimated.
If you happen to be bitten or scratched by a cat, it is important to immediately wash the part with soap and water, then disinfect it. Infections can make it necessary to prescribe antibiotics or even to clean the lesion.
