cat scratch disease

Cat scratch disease, or otherwise felinosis, benign lymphoreticulosis, Mollare’s granuloma, is an infectious disease caused by the bacterium Bartonella henselae. The microbe enters the body of cats after a flea bite, as well as when ingesting infected parasites or their excrement. It lives in the blood, saliva, urine and on the paws of pets. Why are cat scratches dangerous?

Sometimes a fluffy pet can reward not only affection, but also a very unpleasant disease. Felinosis in humans occurs as a result of a bite or the appearance of deep scratches from cat claws. Less often, infection occurs through the respiratory tract or the gastrointestinal tract.

At risk are children, the elderly or those who have recently suffered a serious illness. In a word, everyone who has a weakened immune system. The disease is not transmitted from person to person. The incubation period from infection to onset of symptoms is typically 3 to 20 days.

Symptoms of cat scratch disease

Symptoms of cat scratch syndrome in humans:

• inflammation of the lymph nodes;
• fever;
• malaise;
• headache.

More rare symptoms are possible – diseases of the eyes, skin, disorders of the nervous system and damage to internal organs.

If a scratch from a cat has become inflamed, and a nodular formation has formed in its place – a papule, it is likely that adenitis will follow, that is, inflammation of the lymph nodes. They become immobile, painful and increase in size. All this is accompanied by a high temperature.

How to avoid this disease

First of all, you should pay more attention to your pet from its very childhood. If training for dogs is very common, then owners deal with cats much less frequently. This, of course, is explained by the nature of the cat as a species and by the fact that it is not very trainable. However, without regular games and activities, the cat may begin to show aggression. 

In the arsenal of the owner should be a variety of toys. From childhood, these animals must be accustomed to the rules of life in the family, so that later they will not be faced with the fact that they scratch not only sofas and walls, but also the inhabitants of the house. Learn about cat training methods from Hill’s experts. 

There are several basic preventive rules:

• periodically treat your cat with flea products;
• never pet street animals;
• if the cat has played too much and wants to attack, you can not shout at it and use force.

Diagnosis of cat scratch disease is possible only in the hospital according to the results of the tests. Symptoms resemble many other diseases, so at the first sign you need to see a doctor.

What to do if a cat has bitten or scratched

First of all, it is necessary to wash the wound, and then disinfect this place with hydrogen peroxide. It kills all pathogenic bacteria. After that, you can treat the wound with iodine and carefully monitor healing. 

If scratched by a pet, which is constantly monitored and cared for, the scratch will probably go away by itself. If it was a yard or unfamiliar cat, it is better to immediately consult a doctor in order to prevent complications.

No illness will prevent you from loving fluffy beauties – love, proper upbringing, timely flea prevention and hygiene of the cat will solve all problems.