Lawsuits resulting from dog bites are an all too common sad reality. But then, a dog bite can be severe and leave the victim both physically and emotionally scarred. That's why personal injury lawyers often specialize in dog bites. You deserve to be compensated for your injuries, especially if it means missed time from work and/or school.
But are you aware that cat bites are typically more dangerous than dog bites? Says one expert on the subject in a recent article, if you have to pick a household pet you'd rather be bitten by, you would more than likely choose the cat over the dog.
After all, a dog bite brings to mind a vicious animal full of dagger like teeth. But cats are fluffy, furry, and cuddly. Although they are famous for their scratches, a little cat nip only seems on the surface to be an annoyance rather than a case to present to a personal injury attorney.
But if there is a reality bite when it comes to cat bites, it is this: one out of three victims of cat bites require hospitalization. This will leave you no doubt wondering, what makes cat bites so hazardous and how can you protect yourself from them?
Shape of Cat Teeth Combined with Depth of Cut
Dogs and cats possess lots of bacteria inside their mouths. Human beings are no different. The major difference between people and household pets like cats and dogs are the shape and size of their teeth. Fact is, cats have narrow fang-like teeth. These fangs can deeply pierce your skin and flesh causing great personal injury.
Cats might look cute and cuddly, but they are naturally selected to be "ambush predators." In other words, thousands of years of genetic grooming have resulted in an animal that instinctually will attempt to kill its perceived prey with one single bite, or "hit."
But dogs have teeth that are relatively wider. Their teeth were naturally selected for tearing and ripping the flesh of its prey. That's not to say the duller teeth on a dog can't still cause grave damage to human flesh, but it's their fangs that can result in far deeper wounds.
While cat fangs might not be as long, their bites will leave behind dangerous bacteria that will fester under the skin, and result in infection.
Cat Bacteria
If a dog bite victim requires hospitalization, it's usually due to the severity of the bite itself. But cat bites result in hospitalization because of infectious bacteria.
The three most common types of infectious cat bacteria are the following:
Staphylococcus Sureus: this can cause blood and bone infections. If left untreated it can not only result in organ failure, it can lead to death.
Pasteurella Multocida: Said to be present in three-quarters of all infectious cat bites, it can result initially in severe pain and swelling. If left untreated it will spread to the respiratory system and cause heart and lung damage. It can even cause brain damage.
Bartonella Henselae: also known as "cat scratch disease" or "cat scratch fever," common symptoms of this infectious bacteria are swelled and painful lymph nodes accompanied by high fever. In some cases, it can lead to serious brain and heart damage.
Immediate Treatment for Cat Bites
Vigilance and immediate treatment is necessary once bitten by a cat. You should flush the wound with clean water to minimize the settling in of bacteria. Use soap. While it's only natural to want to reach for the brown bottle of hydrogen peroxide, it's said to be relatively useless when it comes to dangerous cat bites.
Once the wound is properly cleaned, you can apply an antibiotic ointment such as the over-the-counter antibacterial Neosporin. Keep the wound properly covered with a bandage but keep checking regularly for the onset of infection.
If you begin to feel feverish and achy, and the wound itself is swelling and becoming red, you need to see your doctor and/or visit the local emergency room. If you are not already immunized against tetanus, it's likely medical staff will advise an immediate tetanus shot.
Legal Ramifications of Serious Cat Bites
If you've been bitten by your own cat, you probably have no legal recourse. You can't really sue yourself. But if you or any member of your family, especially a child, has been bitten by a neighbor's cat, you have the same rights as that of a dog bite victim.
If the bite is going to result in hospitalization, loss of work or school, you have the right to seek out a personal injury attorney who will get you the funds you deserve so you can concentrate on the recovery process with peace of mind.
