Comments
INITIAL SYMPTOMS:
Skin infection at site of dog or cat bite;
Shortly after being bitten by a cat or a dog (usually a cat), the patient develops cellulitis. Sepsis is a complication. These bacteria are sensitive to penicillin. Other possible complications of untreated bite wounds are: abscesses, septic arthritis, osteomyelitis, pneumonia, endocarditis, pericarditis, and meningitis. Livestock and poultry may also be infected. [ID, p. 1698-9] Swine may also transmit infection; [PPID 7th Ed., p. 4002] Regional lymphadenopathy occurs in about 30-40% of cases. The most common CNS infection is meningitis, but brain abscesses have been reported. Respiratory tract complications include pneumonia and empyema. [PPID, p. 2940] Endocarditis and meningitis are rare complications. [ABX Guide] 70-90% of cats and 50-65% of dogs carry Pasteurella multocida in their mouths. Most cases are skin infections. Inhalation exposures can cause respiratory tract infections. [Harrison ID, p. 518]
For updated text and symptoms of infectious diseases, see iddx.com.