Diplomate, Board Certification of Emergency Medicine
Chairman, Department of Emergency Medicine Ma'ayenei Hayeshua
Hospital
We are discussing bites. Perhaps the most common bite in
Israel is from cats, and they have special considerations of
their own.
Cats have sharper teeth than dogs, but they are smaller. They
also carry a special bacteria which commonly causes
infection. As a result, cat bites have an infection rate two
times higher than dog bites. With the exception of the face,
cat bites generally need antibiotics. This bacteria can also
be found in the mouths of opossums, rabbits, rats, lions,
pigs, wolves, and cougars.
Cats also have another unique disease that they cause, and
that is cat scratch fever. This usually presents with a
swelling in the area of the neck -- and fever. It is from the
scratch of a cat. The swelling looks ominous, but in truth it
is only an enlarged lymph node and this does well with
antibiotics. In Israel, in some areas cats carry rabies.
Small children are well advised never to play with stray
cats.
Rodent bites are less likely to get infected; they have small
teeth and can't bite too deeply. Rats however transmit a
number of diseases, including typhus and the plague. These
animals are generally low risk for rabies, as are squirrels
and rabbits. Hantavirus, which causes a very serious
pneumonia which is often fatal, is acquired through the
inhalation of dried rat droppings -- but this is usually from
a mouse that is found in the wild.
Monkeys do bite and they can transmit a very dangerous
disease called H. Simae. It has a fatality rate of 70
percent, but usually shows small growths at the bite site and
there is treatment that if started early shows excellent
results. It is most often seen in laboratory workers. Washing
off the bite immediately helps, as it does in all bites.
Ferrets are now very popular pets and are very aggressive
with a propensity to attack children without provocation.
They are long and furry, with small faces. Do not let your
child near them, despite assurances from their owners!
Bats often bite without being felt -- a bat in the room of a
sleeping person or a bat that touches a person -- these are
cases in which rabies shots should be considered.
Cows do not have upper teeth, so they rarely bite. Pigs do,
and cause bad infections. Horse bites can cause a bad bruise
or fracture a bone, but the bite itself usually heals without
infection. Camels have sharp teeth and can bite off an arm.
Everyone should exercise caution around these animals.
Wild animals usually cause extensive damage. Bears should be
mentioned. One never comes between a mother bear and her
offspring, nor should one feed a bear. Keep your food on
camping trips well hidden. Write me in care of the
Yated.
A message from Glaxo, sponsor of this column.
Hepatitis A is a problem here in Israel. While the disease
usually resolves without lasting effects, it can cause
extreme weakness and dehydration. It pays to get the Havrix
vaccine made by Glaxo. It is safe in kids -- all of us here
should get this vaccine.
