(HealthDay News) — When Fido or Fluffy bite someone, it poses risks of nerve and tendon damage and, more often, infection. The chances of infection from a cat bite is much higher than that of a dog bite, the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons notes.
If you are bitten by a pet or a wild animal, the academy suggests you seek prompt medical treatment for these potential warning signs of infection:
- Warmth or swelling near the wound.
- Long-lasting pain.
- Pus on or near the wound.
- Reddening of the skin.
- Loss of feeling.
- Inability to straighten or bend a finger or toe.