BFMTV INFO. "They cause serious infections": 25,000 French people end up in surgery after a cat bite

"I could have lost my finger." A few months ago, cat owner Jade had a scare. Almost 24 hours after being bitten four times by her cat, Verlaine, the Maine-et-Loire resident had to undergo emergency surgery.

"It was only a few months after we took him in. He had jumped out of the first-floor window and taken refuge in a bush. We wanted to go and get him back, but he got scared and bit me," recalls the woman from Angers.

As a result, several months later, Jade still has after-effects. A few scars, the memory of "horrible pain" and reduced mobility, which she hopes to regain with rehabilitation sessions.

This is far from an isolated case, according to Dr. Fabrice Rabarin, director of an SOS Mains center and secretary general of the Federation of Emergency Hand Services (Fesum) . According to this health professional, each year, "more than 25,000 French people" end up in surgery after being bitten by their pet—or even a stray cat in some cases. The trend is on the rise.

"Cat bites are very common; we get at least one a day. They often cause serious injuries to the hand. For us, they are much more aggressive and much more serious than dog bites, both in terms of number and severity of tissue damage," explains the orthopedic surgeon.

It must be said that these lesions are sometimes discreet. Barely two small points that bleed little or nothing. However, in an area as sensitive as the hand, where a series of nerves, tendons, and joints are intertwined, the slightest aggression can cause damage.

In addition to the injury caused by cat fangs, infection is what causes serious forms. When a cat bites, bacteria penetrate deep into the body, "which can cause an infection that can be very serious at the tissue level," the specialist emphasizes.

This enemy is invisible. The pain associated with the infection doesn't appear until 6 to 12 hours after initial contact, which is long enough for the damage to be done. However, in these accidents, it is imperative to be treated as quickly as possible.

"People often arrive after 12 or 24 hours, when the lesions are already fixed. As soon as the bite occurs, medical treatment must be started, particularly antibiotics. We advise people to consult a doctor very quickly; there is no need to wait," the Fesum executive asked on BFMTV. In these cases, simple home disinfection is not enough.

If the infection is treated too late, which can happen within a few hours, the consequences can be numerous. "On the one hand, it will require surgical treatment, often heavy antibiotic treatment, time off work when the person is active, and this can lead to after-effects such as stiffening of the hand and functional impairment," he adds. Sometimes, in the most serious cases, amputation is even necessary.

"I remember having amputated the hand of a homeless person, who had let it drag on before consulting a doctor after a week. And unfortunately, there was no other possible solution than amputating his hand."

The specialist is not calling on people to be vigilant with their pets, but to be aware of the dangers of bites: "Continue to love your cats, but you must not force them to be petted, they are not toys, they are defending themselves... This can lead to quite serious consequences."

In Jade and Verlaine's case, despite the episode, the feline continues to live happily in their apartment. Still receiving just as many cuddles.