The Cat Clinic

Full service feline only veterinary hospital

Cat Scratch Fever

By

 

Cat Scratch Fever
Preventative Care can protect a cat from disease

What is Cat Scratch Fever? A visit to your veterinarian could prevent this disease.

Not only is Cat Scratch Fever a groovy song from the 70’s, it is also a bacterial infection that can affect humans. It is transmitted through bites and scratches from cats. Cat Scratch Disease can also be transmitted from an infected cat to a human if the cat comes in contact with the human’s open wound or eyes.  This makes it a zoonotic disease, one that can be passed from animal to human.

The bacteria are Bartonella henselae and are one of the most common bacteria in the world. About 40% of cats will carry these bacteria at some point in their lives, very commonly when they are kittens. It is believed that the bacteria are transmitted to cats through fleas, another important reason to protect your cat against fleas all year round. For more information on flea prevention see Infested .  The bacteria are transmitted to the cat when it grooms itself and inadvertently ingests the feces of the flea. Humans cannot contract the disease directly through fleas but the disease can be transmitted to humans and cats through ticks.

Cat Scratch Disease symptoms

Most cats are not clinically sick when they are infected with Bartonella henselae. Occasionally, a cat will present with fever, muscle aches and swollen lymph nodes to the veterinarian but treatment is not always required. While most cases in humans are generally mild, it is estimated that over 25,000 people in the U.S. are hospitalized each year for symptoms of Cat Scratch Disease.

Symptoms usually appear 7-14 days after exposure and can include….

  • Reddish small solid rounded bump or papule at the site of scratch or bite
  • Swelling and appearance of infection at site
  • Swelling of lymph nodes nearest the site of scratch or bite
  • Mild fever
  • Chills
  • Fatigue
  • General malaise
  • Lack of appetite
  • Muscle pain (myalgia)
  • Nausea or abdominal cramps
  • Occasional serious effects on internal organs in children under 5 or those immunocompromised individuals.

However sometimes symptoms don’t occur for months making diagnosis difficult. When I was finally diagnosed with Cat Scratch Disease years ago, I had already been tested for HIV and my affected lymph node was biopsied for cancer. Luckily those tests came back negative and revealed that I had simply been infected with Bartonella henselae!

Prevention of Cat Scratch Disease

Fortunately Cat Scratch Disease is not fatal in humans but can cause serious issues for immunocompromised people.  Here are the CDC’s (Center for Disease Control) recommendations to prevent Cat Scratch Disease in people.

People

Do:

A cat’s paw with long sharp nails.

  • Wash cat bites and scratches right away with soap and running water.
  • Wash your hands with soap and running water after playing with your cat, especially if you live with young children or people with weakened immune systems.
  • Since cats less than one year of age are more likely to have CSD and spread it to people, persons with a weakened immune system should adopt cats older than one year of age.

Do not:

  • Play rough with your pets because they may scratch and bite.
  • Allow cats to lick your open wounds.
  • Pet or touch stray or feral cats.

Cats

Do:

  • Control fleas
  • Keep your cat’s nails
  • Apply a flea product (topical or oral medication) as directed by your veterinarian.
    • BEWARE: Over-the-counter flea products may not be safe for cats. Check with your veterinarian before applying ANY flea product to make sure it is safe for your cat and your family.
    • Check for fleas by using a flea comb on your cat to inspect for flea dirt.
    • Control fleas in your home by
    • Vacuuming frequently
    • Contacting a pest-control agent if necessary

Protect your cat’s health

  • Schedule routine veterinary health check-ups.
  • Keep cats indoors to
    • Decrease their contact with fleas
    • Prevent them from fighting with stray or potentially infected animals

From http://www.cdc.gov/healthypets/diseases/cat-scratch.html

Although most humans do not require treatment, alert your doctor if you have any symptoms of Cat Scratch Disease. Just because Cat Scratch Fever is a groovy song, I can assure becoming symptomatic due to Cat Scratch Fever is not groovy!

By Cassandra Kelley DVM, veterinarian and owner Cat Clinic of Plymouth

Compassionate Veterinary Care of Cats

The Cat Clinic of Plymouth, MA is dedicated to the loving and compassionate veterinary care of cats. Services include preventive care and complete medical, diagnostic, dental & surgical care. From wellness examinations to advanced diagnostics including ultrasound imaging, we pride ourselves on offering veterinary services specific to the needs of your feline family member. Our staff strives to provide a quiet, friendly animal hospital specifically with our feline patients and their families in mind.

  • Cat Clinic Plymouth Ma

Cat Clinic Client Testimonials
I'm so happy we found the Cat Clinic! You can see how much the people who work there love their kitty-clients and we were so happy that our 17 yr old cat Suboo who was so sick, received such great personal care and attention. We thank them for saving our Suboo and helping us to not only to bring her back home but to show us how to make her as well as she can be. For that we are so grateful.Review by Carin S
I cannot recommend these people highly enough. Our beloved old cat struggled with multiple health issues, which worsened over the last few months. Dr. Kelley and Dr. Duckett and the entire staff simply could not have been more helpful. They patiently, kindly, and expertly helped us to diagnose the issues - not always an easy or straightforward thing - and through a combination of medications and procedures was able to give us several more months of good quality time with our dear little friend. Special thanks also to super vet tech Jessica, who went over and above on many occasions and in so many ways. When the time finally came to say goodbye - yesterday morning - they were, again, as kind, compassionate, patient, and gentle as anyone could possibly have been. We recommend these fine folks without hesitation. When our hearts have healed enough to allow it, I know we'll be trusting them again with our next feline family member.Review by Steve D.
I just want to say how amazing the cat clinic is!!! We discovered the clinic when our 16 year old cat was extremely ill and our other vet couldn't see her!! They took us right in and did everything they could do for us unfortunately we had to put her down:( my husband and I were both a mess anyway they were wonderful caring people and I would recommend them to everyone!!!Review by Lindsay F 
Prior to adopting my Skeeter, he was seen at the Cat Clinic and though I knew this I choose to original go to the same vet my parents bring their dogs. After my initial visit I realized my parents loved them because they are amazing with dogs, but with cats not so much so I decided to give the Cat Clinic a try. Even though I changed Skeeter's name (it was Jeeter) they remembered him coming in with a stomach issue and that he had been adopted and returned prior to me adopting him. Bringing him in for his physical, nail trim, and most recently dental with extractions is very anxiety provoking for him. The whole staff is so understanding of him and have been extremely gentle, sweet, kind, loving, and caring even when he gives them his 'I don't want to be here" attitude. I would whole heartedly recommend the Cat Clinic to all cat parents and I am sure Skeeter would too. We both love the Cat Clinic and staff and can not thank them enough for all they do for Skeeter.Review by Katie M
prev next