Cat Bites and Scratches
Most people associate animal attacks with dogs or highly dangerous exotic pets. However, even animals that are widely considered harmless can cause serious injuries if their owners do not take proper care of them. An ordinary housecat can cause significant injuries with her teeth and claws that may even have life-threatening medical complications.
If you or a member of your family has been harmed by an unsupervised or mistreated cat, you could have grounds for legal action against the animal’s owner. To learn more, call Orlando personal injury lawyer Todd Miner at 407-420-4040.
Cat Scratch Disease
Cats’ sharp claws and long, pointed teeth allow them to injure several layers of skin in a single attack. Unlike dogs, whose attacks often cause large gashes, the mark of a cat-inflicted injury is a small but sometimes deep puncture in the skin. This type of injury can be very difficult to thoroughly clean, creating a serious risk of infection.
The primary risk of a cat bite or scratch is so-called cat scratch disease, or Bartonella henselae. This is a bacterium that many cats carry, although it does not cause them to get sick. The symptoms of cat scratch disease generally take three to ten days to develop in an infected human. They can include:
- A sore or red bump that appears near the injury
- Swollen and tender lymph nodes near the injury
- Fever
- Nausea and vomiting
- Fatigue or listlessness
The symptoms of cat scratch disease can persist for as long as three weeks. They can range from mild discomfort to major health problems requiring emergency treatment. Children are particularly vulnerable to complications of this disease, but they can occur to almost anyone exposed to this kind of bacteria.
Contact an Orlando Cat Attack Attorney
If you have been harmed by a cat due to its owner’s negligent actions, you could be eligible to win compensation for your medical bills and other losses. To learn more, contact Orlando cat injury lawyer Todd Miner at 407-420-4040.