Since the majority of animal bites to humans involve dogs, many people don’t realize that bites inflicted by cats can actually be more dangerous in some situations. While physical injuries will likely be more severe if you have been bitten by a canine, feline injuries more often land Illinois victims in the hospital. We at the Law Office of Kerley and Associates can help you ensure that you get the help you need if you find yourself with a bite from a cat or any other animal.
According to the Animal Medical Center, dog bites make up 70 percent of the emergency room visits for animal bites, but a full one-third of those who are bitten by a cat require hospitalization. While there are fewer bites from felines, these injuries are much more likely to result in the need for additional medical treatment.
One reason that so many victims are hospitalized is that their wounds more often become infected. The large teeth of a dog may do more physical damage, but cat fangs are long, slender and perfect for piercing deep into your tissues. Cat’s also tend to have more bacteria in their mouths than dogs, meaning that more germs may be deposited deeper in your body.
Surgery is also very likely if you are bitten by a cat. Of those who were hospitalized, two-thirds required surgery as part of their treatment. For more information on animal bites of any kind and how you can get the care you need, please visit our web page.