Unknowningly own a HOT

[trailblazer295]

Seems I unknowingly own a HOT and didn't know it. I must admit I haven't used gloves or a hook when interacting with it.

Why Cat Bites Are Pretty Much the Worst Thing Ever (http://gizmodo.com/5931500/why-cat-bites-are-pretty-much-the-worst-thing-ever)





















I sleep with this dangerous creature.

[jossh27]

I didn't read the article but if it goes on about the cats saliva being bad i can agree. I dated a girl for a while who was bit by a cat and she got a vicious bone or blonde disease from it... Can't remember what one but she was hospitalized for a while! I'm leaving mor towards the bone disease

[trailblazer295]

Taken from the article "When they opened up my hand at the second incision site, what they found was something called tenosynovitis*. Essentially my tendon sheath, a single cell-thick film that protects the tendons as they move across the finger bones, had been destroyed by the infection (which, I learned, was caused by a bacteria called Pasteurella). My surgeon, Dr. Nader Paksima, said he went into my hand and the tendon sheath looked like "a bunch of wet tissue paper." All clotted and messy. They had to scrape it all out—a process called at tenosynovectomy.


Here's the TL;DR version in case you bypassed all of the above: Cat bites are highly infectious. 80% of cat bites become infected (my doctor had three other cat bites on his shift at the hospital last week, but mine was the worst of all!), and the infections are so bad because cat teeth are narrow and long and act like needles, injecting bacteria from both the skin's surface and the cat's mouth into the punture wound cavity."

[MDT]

Here's the TL;DR version in case you bypassed all of the above: Cat bites are highly infectious. 80% of cat bites become infected (my doctor had three other cat bites on his shift at the hospital last week, but mine was the worst of all!), and the infections are so bad because cat teeth are narrow and long and act like needles, injecting bacteria from both the skin's surface and the cat's mouth into the punture wound cavity."

truth........

[jossh27]

Just goes to show they are evil

[trailblazer295]

The face of evil, then guarding me at night laying on me and fighting during the day...

[sirtalis]

My aunt is a nurse, and she said that most cat scratches and bites usually end up infected.

[trailblazer295]

My aunt is a nurse, and she said that most cat scratches and bites usually end up infected.

I get scratched on a regular basis, in play of course not in a defensive fight. But I still bleed from time to time and I've never had an issue.

[jossh27]

Cat scratch fever isn't just a horrible song...

[prairiepanda]

I get scratched on a regular basis, in play of course not in a defensive fight. But I still bleed from time to time and I've never had an issue.

Usually those scratches are only just on the surface of the skin, so infection would be difficult. Scratches from an actual attack are a lot more dangerous as they do make way for a lot of bacteria to enter the blood.

[that1guy]

This really is ridiculous. I have just two things to address about this.

"All of you who are under the impression that cats are absolutely the best thing for the Internet—producing GIFs and memes galore—are bloody delusional. My 8lb house cat Franny almost destroyed a small section of your Internet last week, temporarily crippling one of the hands I use to type all your nightly posts."

1st: This person is clearly has an inflated since of self worth. I can assure you the internet would be just fine without them. I would bet that over 99.9% of internet users have never even heard of this person. Making their "small section" of the internet insignificant.

"Here's the TL;DR version in case you bypassed all of the above: Cat bites are highly infectious. 80% of cat bites become infected (my doctor had three other cat bites on his shift at the hospital last week, but mine was the worst of all!), and the infections are so bad because cat teeth are narrow and long and act like needles, injecting bacteria from both the skin's surface and the cat's mouth into the punture wound cavity."

2nd: This is true of any puncture wound or scratch. While it'd true cat's teeth can carry bacteria, so can anything else. Any puncture wound or scratch can get infected. The risk is higher with a puncture wound because the wound is deeper and runs the risk of "injecting bacteria" under the skin. Which is why you should always clean any wound ASAP. A little bit of alcohol goes a long way. In fact I'm willing to bet if she cleaned the wound with alcohol right away the infection wouldn't have been as near as bad, if it persisted at all.

[MDT]

Which is why you should always clean any wound ASAP. A little bit of alcohol goes a long way. In fact I'm willing to bet if she cleaned the wound with alcohol right away the infection wouldn't have been as near as bad, if it persisted at all.

While I agree with you regarding wound care and cleaning, even high pressure irrigation of cat bites will rarely ward off the ensuing infection. I have treated a butt-load of legit cat bites. And yes, we irrigate with high pressure saline or tap water (no diff between the two on which works better statistically...you use what's readily available)....Alcohol, other than being somewhat of a torture device on an open wound, is not a significant improvement. The outcome is usually very predictable....initial treatment with wound management, update tetanus if needed, ensure that the animal has been immunized for rabies (and if not or unknown, animal control gotta go grab da cat). Antibiotics and recheck in 24 hrs...if worse, obtain blood cultures, wound cultures, begin IV antibiotics and admit to the hospital then consult w hand surgery...Occasionally, step one works completely...more commonly, step two is required....cat bites are rough.

[trailblazer295]

I don't put any weight in this article. Humans have bacteria in our mouths too so it means nothing. Any animal with the tools of nature can mess you up pretty good if they are so inclined. If I was afraid of my cat I wouldn't have one.

[MDT]

dude...don't be afraid of your cat, i'm def not afraid of mine... however, this article is legit. this happens. i've seen it too many times. pasturella is the real deal. and it's true, about 80-85% cat bites (real, honest-to-goodness-skin-and-muscle-pentetrating bites) will become infected.

in humans, along with run of the mill bacteria, a species called eikenella corrodans is a huge player. along w fungal elements, TB, hep B and C, human bites are truly nasty...

[trailblazer295]

I'm not afraid at all. She sleeps beside me at night and I play with her all the time. She likes fighting my hands as you can see. It was funny when I moved recently she followed me around for 2 weeks like a little puppy.

[D Grade]

Man the "hot" topics here on this forum are getting rediculous. Anything that has the capability to bite is able to transmit infection.

[trailblazer295]

It was really more of a joke. If you look at the pictures I posted I don't actually think she is dangerous. 2 of them have my hand in her mouth.

[MDT]

It was really more of a joke. If you look at the pictures I posted I don't actually think she is dangerous. 2 of them have my hand in her mouth.


oh man...dead mam walking :D

[trailblazer295]

oh man...dead mam walking :D

I like to live dangerously. I even sleep without her in a cage ;)

[D Grade]

It was really more of a joke. If you look at the pictures I posted I don't actually think she is dangerous. 2 of them have my hand in her mouth.

Oh no, I got the joke bud. :yes: Im just refering to others who didn't get the sarcasm. The topic of hots on this forum have been increasingly sensative subjects as of late.

[trailblazer295]

Oh no, I got the joke bud. :yes: Im just refering to others who didn't get the sarcasm. The topic of hots on this forum have been increasingly sensative subjects as of late.

I don't have any skin in the game seeing as HOTs are illegal to own in this country. Not that I'd want to own one either just the danger, I'd definitely be scared then. I know people do have them here anyway but they are _OL if they get tagged. No anti-venom around. I have no issue with other people owning them though. The only time I'd have a problem is if I lived in an apartment building and the guy next store doesn't know what he is doing. Because then the snake could get out and enter your place and then that's a real danger to your life. Beyond that I don't really care, and I support anyones desire to own HOTs and large constrictors. If you do it properly it's less of a danger to the public then a large dog. You don't take your Retic for a walk in the park with kids.

[D Grade]

I agree. Well said.

[REM955]

You don't take your Retic for a walk in the park with kids.

Is this what you had in mind? The furry hot has shown to be feasible, but this...
http://www.saturdayeveningpost.com/wp-content/uploads/satevepost/illustration_snake_leash.jpg

[trailblazer295]

Is this what you had in mind? The furry hot has shown to be feasible, but this...
http://www.saturdayeveningpost.com/wp-content/uploads/satevepost/illustration_snake_leash.jpg

It would be a LONG walk not great distance covered. But you get my point though.

[havoc_vulture]

I take my Retic on walks ��lol

[trailblazer295]

Do you walk it or does it walk you?

[havoc_vulture]

He's still young so I still walk him

[prairiepanda]

You don't take your Retic for a walk in the park with kids.

A lot of people take retics and other large constrictors out for "walks" at public parks, to give them exercise and fresh air. Not really sure how I feel about that. I guess it depends on how many people are accompanying the snake and how experienced they are.

[trailblazer295]

A lot of people take retics and other large constrictors out for "walks" at public parks, to give them exercise and fresh air. Not really sure how I feel about that. I guess it depends on how many people are accompanying the snake and how experienced they are.


I've never seen that before. Not that i frequent parks either. If no one is around that's one thing. Having your retic sharing the monkey bars is another.

[AlexCrazy]

I had a cat... named Candy... i would tickle him and he would go nuts... and hurt me a bit.. but i never got an infection.. i always just gave a safe wash... but i do know that cats can transmit a sickness that can make woman infertile.. but i still love them to bits.. haha
i think i would take my BP for a "walk".. show people there good pets :D

[trailblazer295]

I had a cat... named Candy... i would tickle him and he would go nuts... and hurt me a bit.. but i never got an infection.. i always just gave a safe wash... but i do know that cats can transmit a sickness that can make woman infertile.. but i still love them to bits.. haha
i think i would take my BP for a "walk".. show people there good pets :D

I think you're more likely to take him for a "stand" I don't see one travelling very far.

[AlexCrazy]

Im gonna have one this Wednesday! hes gonna be a little critter.. so walking will work for a while i think! ha ha

[pet_snake_78]

We must ban all cats to keep the public safe!

[SoPhilly]

We must ban all cats to keep the public safe!

Well, ok, if you already have cats you can keep them, but no crossing state lines! That would be dangerous.

[DDW]

Well, ok, if you already have cats you can keep them, but no crossing state lines! That would be dangerous.

Been watching this hilarious thread for a while and then this! Lol