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Rhinelander Personal Injury Lawyer

Cat Bites

While not as common as dog bites, cat bites are still a serious problem in this country. Many people do not view cat bites as a serious problem because cats have smaller mouths and are smaller in general. While the chance of being mauled to death by a cat is not that great, cats frequently carry more diseases and bacteria than do dogs.

Cats frequently carry the bacteria Pastuerella multocida in their mouths. It is the most common cause of infection from animal injuries. This bacteria causes infection of the bitten site but can also spread to other locations in the bitten person. For instance, it can also cause problems in the respiratory tract of people and other animals. More seriously, it can cross the blood/brain barrier and cause meningitis, a swelling of the protective membranes covering the central nervous system.

In addition to carrying Pastuerella multocida, cats more frequently than dogs also have rabies. This is largely due to large populations of feral cats that have contact with both wildlife and humans. Due to this contact, feral cats frequently receive rabies from wildlife such as a raccoon or skunk and then pass it to humans via a scratch or a bite. Cats are not natural carriers of the disease but they do frequently have it.

If you have been bitten by a cat, it is important to visit a doctor for antibiotics to prevent infection. In addition, it is a good idea to attempt to capture the cat for observations to see if it has rabies. If the cat can not be captured, it is a good plan to start rabies treatment, just to be on the safe side.

If you have been bitten by a cat, contact the Rhinelander animal injury lawyers of Habush, Habush, & Rottier, S.C. at 1-800-369-5990 to discuss your case and to determine your legal options.