Cat Scratch Fever - What is It?

Bringing home a new kitten not only means exposing your kitten to your home, but exposing your pet health issues to your household as well. Kittens are notorious Petri dishes of bacteria and unwanted germs. While most people have images of the song when they hear the term Cat scratch fever, but it is a devastating and terrible bacterial infection which can be fatal in certain individuals.

The bacteria Bartonella henselae is responsible for cat scratch fever in humans, mostly in young children, as they are the ones who have the most contact with kittens. Though the infection is not limited to children only. Adults can contract the infection which causes lymph nodes in the body to swell profusely. While the bacterium has limited stress on pet health, it can be fatal in immune compromised individuals and children.

A cat can become infected with the bacterium through a flea bite, which is why flea control is so important in pet health care. Most individuals contract the bacterium through a scratch or bite from kitten, though some adult cats can expose people to the bacterium. The bacterium is passed into the cat through a flea bite but does not affect the cat in any certain terms. The cat can live with the bacteria their entire life with the bacteria simply living as a flora of their system. It lives within the saliva of the feline and can only be transmitted to a human when saliva comes into contact with broken skin. This is why kitten bites are likely to expose a person to the bacteria. Since kittens are more likely to play and bite, they are more likely to expose their owners to the bacteria. However, once a person is exposed to the bacteria, they will be immune to future exposure.

While the bacterium does not affect pet health, what it can do to human health is agonizing. The person develops swollen lymph nodes that are tender to the touch and can be upwards to two inches in diameter. Depending on the location of the bite, the bacterium will infect surrounding lymph nodes, that is, if a person is bitten on the arm, the lymph nodes in the shoulder and neck area will become infected. A mild fever sometimes accompanies the swelling. The enlarged lymph nodes are generally the indication for diagnosis, though there are a few blood tests which can be run to search for the bacterium. However, if the bacterium is left untreated, it can spread into the liver, eyes and brain, causing greater infection and even seizures. While it can take some time to recover, most individuals make a full recovery with treatment.

There is little an individual can do to ensure their pet health is not exposed to this bacterium. The only thing pet owners can do to prevent any exposure is proper flea control. As fleas can transmit many different bacteria which can affect pet health, it is a good idea to properly manage fleas with flea control. A topical flea control can help keep the little monsters off your cat and household treatments can eliminate and possible future attacks.

Cat Scratch Fever

What is cat scratch disease?

Cat scratch disease, also called cat scratch fever is an infection caused by bacteria that is carried in cat
saliva. Cat scratch disease usually occurs when an effected cat scratches or bites
a person, usually a child. Cats can get the bacteria on his claws after licking
himself. This bacterium is also known as Bartonella hensel.

You can also be infected with the disease in the eyes after rubbing a cat that
has the bacteria on his fur and then rubbing your eyes.

Cat scratch disease seems to occur more often in the fall and winter. There are
approximately 22,000 cases of cat scratch disease each year. People under the
age of 21, especially children are more prone to be infected with the disease,
perhaps because they are more likely to play with cats and risk being bitten.

Experts believe that almost half of all cats have a Bartonella hensel infection
at some point in their lives, usually occurring in cats less than 1 year old.
Researchers believe cats get the bacteria from fleas, although this has not been
proven. The disease does not make cats sick, although they may carry the bacteria
for months. Cat scratch is not contagious from person to person. At times, multiple
illnesses may occur within the same family however, it is most likely from being
in contact with the same cat.

Symptoms

Cat scratch disease is not a severe illness in people who are healthy. However,
it can be a potential problem in people with weak immune systems. Most people
who contract cat scratch disease may recall being around a cat but not being scratched
or bitten.

A small bump or blister usually develops with 3 to 10 days after being bite. Sometimes
it is mistaken for an insect bite. The sore is generally not painful although
it may take a long time to heal.

Within a few weeks of the bite, an infection of the lymph nodes around the site
of the scratch or bite will develop. The swollen lymph nodes most often appear
in the underarm or neck area, however if the sore is on the leg, lymph nodes in
the groin are will be affected. The size of the infected nodes ranges between
½ to 2 inches in diameter. They may become warm and red, and occasionally
drain pus.

In most children and adolescents, the swollen lymph nodes are the primary symptom
of cat scratch disease. About a third of those infected have flu-like symptoms
such as, fever, headache, fatigue, loss of appetite, sore throat, and even a rash.

Those who are infected in the eye may get Parinaud oculoglandular syndrome, a
problem similar to conjunctivitis ("pink eye") which usually affects
only one eye and is accompanied by nearby swollen lymph nodes and fever.

In more serious cases of cat scratch disease a person my develop infections of
the liver, spleen, bone, joints and lungs.

Diagnosis

Your doctor will probably be able to diagnose cat scratch disease based on the
fact that a person remembers being bitten or scratched by a cat, and then became
infected with painful and swollen lymph nodes. In children, cat scratch disease
is the most common cause of prolonged swelling of lymph nodes in a localized area.
If needed a blood test may be performed to help your doctor make a diagnosis.

Treatment

In most people, cat scratch disease clears up without any treatment. Antibiotics
may be needed in cases where the lymph nodes stay painful and swollen for two
or three months. Antibiotics can also be useful if you have a fever for a long
time or if the infection is in the bones, liver or other organ. In some cases
a physician may need to drain the lymph node to help relieve the pain if it is
very large and painful.

Prevention

It is not usually necessary to get rid of your cat in order to prevent the disease.
Having your cat de-clawed may help curb infections. It is also important to wash
your hands each time after handling your cat. If your child is bitten or scratched
by the family cat, thoroughly wash the area with soap and water. Because the illness
is relatively rare and usually mild, there is no need to panic. Keeping your cat
and home free of fleas will reduce the risk that your cat will become infected.

When to Call the Doctor

Contact your doctor if your child has swollen or painful lymph nodes, or if your
child has been bitten by an animal. Call your doctor if the area around the scratch
or bite continues to get bigger, or if it does not heal within a reasonable amount
of time. Also call if your child has a fever that last several days after receiving
a bite or scratch.

If your child has been diagnosed with cat scratch disease and seems not to be
improving or is getting sicker be sure to call your doctor.

About Cat Scratch Disease

Owning a family or personal pet is a common joy for many people throughout the United States. Among the most common domesticated animals that people choose to adopt are cats. Cats are more low-maintenance than other types of common pets, and they can live either inside or outside the residence. Certain breeds of cats also offer up benefits such as maintaining pest and rodent control around the home.

How do I catch cat scratch disease?

While cats are sources of pleasure for many, however, they also can pose certain threats to you, your family, or anyone else who may come into contact with them. Cats can be temperamental, and often times they may -- even unintentionally -- scratch or bite people. When this happens, the attacked person is at risk of developing what is known as cat scratch disease (also known to some as cat scratch fever).

Only 40% of cats are liable to ever carry with them Bartonella henselae, the bacterium that causes cat scratch disease. Those that do have this type of bacteria in their systems carry it in their saliva. When the infected felines scratch or bite a human, they are liable to pass it along to the wounded victim. While cats themselves do not show any signs of infection from Bartonella, affected humans can experience many undesirable and painful symptoms.

What are the symptoms?

Typically, the first sign of cat scratch disease is a bump or blister on the skin, similar to one that may develop as a result of a bug bite. Over time, roughly a couple of weeks, the individual's lymph nodes will swell up and become tender. Other common symptoms include fatigue, headache, achiness, and fever. People may also suffer from a sore throat, loss in appetite, or weight loss.

People who are more likely to develop cat scratch fever and suffer from the more severe symptoms include those who have depleted or deficient immune systems, such as those who are suffering from HIV/AIDS or who are undergoing chemotherapy for cancer treatment. In these victims, cat scratch disease may be fatal if it is left untreated.

How do I prevent cat scratch disease?

If one is looking to prevent the development of this disease, he or she should always thoroughly clean any open wound sustained from a cat bite or scratch. One should apply anti-bacterial ointment to the wounded area and then cover it up with a sterile bandage. If symptoms begin to develop, the afflicted individual should seek medical attention.

Cat Scratch Disease - From Claws To Humans

Symptoms of Cat Scratch Disease

Cat scratch disease is a malady spread by cats, but that affects only humans; it's also called cat scratch fever. Disease symptoms are most frequently diagnosed in the colder winter and fall months of the year for reasons scientists don't understand; it's possible that cats are more likely to be indoors at this time, increasing the chance of human exposure overall to feline diseases.

Cat scratch disease is produced by bacteria called Bartonella henselea that usually lives in the mouths of cats. They spread it to their claws through routine grooming. Interestingly, it is not transmitted through cat bites, only through cat scratches.

Most Americans have been exposed to this malady, and 5% of the US population has antibodies in their blood but no history of clinical malady. Because antibodies are only made in response to the invasion of a disease, it is clear that they were exposed to Bartonella directly. It is possible that they did not subsequently become ill, or that the disease was mistaken for the flu.

This disease presents flu-like symptoms. The most common symptoms include fever, chills, and lethargy, but they last for only a few days, much shorter than most flu's.

There is a more severe kind of that causes high fever, anorexia, weakness, and badly swollen lymph nodes, particularly in the armpits and groin area. Sometimes the lymph swelling gets so severe that the swelling spontaneously ruptures; at other times, doctors choose to surgically drain them to prevent the rupture and relieve the pain.

Typically, the most serious form of the disease is seen in younger children and the elderly, and people with frail immune systems, such as those who have HIV, are receiving chemotherapy, or who have been the recipient of an organ donation. When the serious form of the disease presents itself, the consequences for the victim can be disability or even death.

If the disease in humans is treated immediately with antibiotics, the outcome is generally good, but it's very hard to diagnose because cat scratch disease symptoms it's so similar to flu and because it is not a oft-seen disease. The symptoms are often overlooked in its earliest stages, and only caught when the lymph nodes are involved. Almost every documented case follows a cat scratch wound; a few occur after a bite, and a few even crop up with no noticeable cause.

Another oddity of cat scratch disease is that occasionally are adult cats involved in the transmission. Generally, a kitten passes the disease. This does not mean you should not worry about it with an older cat, but only that you should worry more about kittens. It is infectious for only about two or three weeks in a kitten, after which it goes dormant. It can return, however.

Kittens can be diagnosed as carriers by a simple blood test, and positive kittens can be treated successfully with antibiotics. Because this disease can come back, however, this is not a silver bullet for thwarting it. De-clawing kittens at an early age is the best way to prevent infection. You should be aware of the consequences to the cat before de-clawing it, however. Not only can it be dangerous for the cat to go outside, it can also be psychologically traumatic and cause unexpected complications like arthritis.

There are a few alternatives to de-clawing your cat, such as claw covers or trimming back their claws, but you will have to be wary if you are in a home with an immunocompromised person.

Fewer than ten percent of family members scratched by a cat carrying the disease will develop the sickness, and very serious illness from the disease is rare. If you've been exposed once, you are almost surely immune to it afterward.

Cat scratch disease must not be confused with other feline malady's, such as the cat-borne disease, toxoplasmosis. Toxoplasmosis is poisonous to a pregnant woman's fetus, but presents in different ways and is more likely to be inhaled when a woman changes the litter box. Symptoms can be risky to a pregnant woman as well, but in an entirely different way.

Cat Scratch Disease

Cat scratch fever is a bacterial disease that isn't very well known. It's actually caused by a bacteria called Batonella Henselae, which infects the human and it can be quite discomforting.

For a long period of time, adults and kids got scratched by cats but didn't make the connection between the scratch and the disease they got. When you have this disease you will probably notice enlarged lymph nodes, in the area of the armpit, and areas of red skin that is very warm, and tough. These are the symptoms of cat scratch disease.

The lymph nodes which are located on the upper limbs and on the neck of the human that is infected will get swollen when you are scratched and you get an infection. Some of the other symptoms you might notice are fever, headaches, appetite loss and fatigue.

People were confused by this disease for a long time, because it looked like it was caused by a bacteria, but they couldn't find any in the infection. A small organism was finally found in the infection, and it was the Proteobacteria.

If you're a cat owner, you might ask yourself if you can get affected by the Bartonella Henselae, and the answer to that question will be a yes.

Humans that get this illness usually have cats that scratches or bites them at some point. Almost half of all cats will have this bacteria at least once in their life, so there is a good chance you will get infected if you have a cat.

You will not see any symptoms in the cats that have this disease, so if you own more than one cat, you don't know which one gave you the infection. If you have a disease that attacks your immunity, then your risk of getting this illness from your cat is increased.

While fleas are known to carry this bacterium, there is no evidence that they are the cause of the disease. In most cases, this disease will show up either during the winter or in late fall, but nobody knows why that is.

Usually, those that are most likely to get sick will be young kids, as they play with cats and kittens more often. Don't worry though, the disease isn't a serious one. The lymph nodes will be swollen for up to a month. Still, you should visit a doctor if you see any symptoms of cat scratch disease.

Symptoms of the Cat Scratch Disease

Close to 90% of people can contract cat scratch disease. This disease is a bacterial infection that can cause swelling of the lymph nodes. The lymph nodes are round organs of the immune system. This disease is caused by the bacterium known as bartonella henselae - which is found in most parts of the world. A cat will usually be infected by the bacterium through fleas. The cat will then spread it to humans through licking, scratching, or biting.

In the United States close to 22,000 cases of cat scratch disease are diagnosed annually. Most patients are under the age of 21. This is because younger children have a higher risk of being bitten or scratched by cats because of the way that they play with them.

Cat Scratch Fever Symptoms

After a few days of being scratched, licked, or bitten by a cat a small bump or blister will form called an inoculation lesion. Most people will mistake this for a bug bite. They will usually appear on the hands, arms, head, or scalp. These lesions are usually not painful.

Within a couple of weeks the scratch or one of the lymph nodes close to the area where the lesion is will begin to swell and become tender to the touch. If the lesion is on the arm then the lymph nodes in the elbow or the armpit will begin to swell.

The swollen lymph nodes will begin to show more often in neck. However, if the lesion is on the leg it is more likely that the nodes located in the groin will swell. The skin around the swollen lymph nodes will turn red and become warm and may begin to drain pus after some time.

Swollen lymph nodes are the most common symptoms - but some people may experience other more general symptoms along with this. One third of people infect with cat scratch disease will experience fatigue, fever, headache, loss of appetite, rash, and sore throat. There are also certain people who will experience atypical cases of the disease. In these rare cases they will experience infections in the bones, liver, lungs, spleen, and joints.

Cat Scratch Disease - My Cat Just Scratched Me, What Do I Do?

Cat scratch disease is also known as cat scratch fever. This disease strikes people who are infected by the Bartonella henselae bacteria. In almost all cases, cat scratch disease occurs when the person was scratched or bitten by his cat. The cat itself does not catch cat scratch disease. It is just a carrier. Now, before you panic and send your cat to the pound, the National Center for Infectious Diseases (CDC) estimates that 40% of all cats carry this disease at some time in their lives. Considering how many cat owners exist in the world, clearly, this disease is not very infectious or dangerous.

But how do you know whether you were infected by cat scratch disease? The first thing you want to look at is the place your cat bit or scratched you. Is the wound infected? (Note: If you cannot find the wound, then you do not have cat scratch disease.) Then you want to check your lymph nodes. Are the nodes around your head, neck and upper limbs swollen? Do you also have fever, headache, fatigue, and a poor appetite? These are the typical cat scratch fever symptoms.

What can you do? The first step is always preventative. If you own a cat, or play with cats, you will definitely get bitten or scratched. What you should do every time you get scratched is simply to clean the wound with soap and running water. Then clean it with an antiseptic like peroxide and apply an antibiotic cream (neosporin works pretty well). Just applying these basic hygiene practises will prevent most cases of infection from cat bites or scratches, not just cat scratch disease.

What if you have already been infected - your wound is swollen and reddish, your lymph nodes are swollen and you have a fever? Then just go to your doctor. He will probably give you an antibiotic, and maybe drain the wound if necessary. You should also send your cats to the vet. Let him make sure they are not still carrying the bacteria. Otherwise they may infect you again, or infect other people.

In the long run, you need to train your cats not to bite or scratch too hard. Your cats need to learn how to show affection without drawing blood from you. And you need to learn not to provoke or over-excite your cats.

Provided that you are not the one who provoked the cat scratch, you can spray kitty with water every time it bites or scratches you. This means you will need to carry around a spray bottle with you at home. Spray kitty consistently when it bites you, and it will learn to stop biting you. Remember to spray when it bites - not 30 seconds later, or 1 minute later, or 5 minutes later. It will only learn if your response is immediate. Too many people spray only after the cat scratched or bit, then they complain that the technique does not work.

If your cat tends to bite or scratch you during playtime, then you need a different approach. Play with your cat normally. When he bites or scratches you, stop playing and ignore him. Too many people just continue playing - unfortunately, this teaches kitty that biting or scratching is good.

As you can see, cat scratch disease is not a big deal. As long as you practice basic hygiene, and train your cat not to bite or scratch too much, everything should be alright.