Immediate Symptoms:
* Bleeding: Cat bites often puncture the skin, causing bleeding.
* Pain: The bite area will likely be very painful, especially with movement.
* Redness and swelling: The area around the bite will become red and swollen.
* Warmth: The bite area might feel warm to the touch.
Later Symptoms (within 24-48 hours):
* Pus: If the wound becomes infected, you might see pus forming.
* Increased redness, swelling, and pain: These symptoms might worsen over time.
* Fever: A fever is a sign of infection.
* Lymphadenitis: Swollen lymph nodes near the bite area.
* Tenosynovitis: Inflammation of the tendons and the sheath surrounding them.
* Cellulitis: A bacterial infection that spreads into the surrounding tissues.
More Serious Complications (can occur days or weeks after the bite):
* Osteomyelitis: A bone infection.
* Septic arthritis: An infection in a joint.
* Necrotizing fasciitis: A rare but serious infection that destroys soft tissues.
* Tetanus: A potentially fatal bacterial infection.
Important Note:
* Pasteurella multocida: This bacterium is commonly found in the mouths of cats and is the main cause of infections after cat bites.
* Seek medical attention immediately. Cat bites should be treated seriously and promptly by a healthcare professional.
* Wash the wound thoroughly with soap and water. This helps to reduce the risk of infection.
* Don't delay getting medical attention. The longer you wait, the more severe the complications can be.
If you are concerned about a cat bite, please see a doctor right away.