Cat Scratch Disease (CSD) occurs often when kittens infected with B. henselae play too roughly with someone and break the skin with their nails or teeth. The symptoms of CSD, (also known as “cat scratch fever”) can include a variety of uncomfortable ailments. If you have been diagnosed with CSD, here are the best treatment options available and some helpful preventative measures you can take to protect yourself from further infection.
Treatments
Though the body will generally heal itself naturally, if a patient has a severe reaction when he is diagnosed with CSD, the doctor will prescribe antibiotics, attacking the bacteria to rid the body of infection. Fortunately, most cases of CSD tend to be mild and without severe complications. But if the patient has a weakened immune system, or is a child less than 5 years old, there may be negative effects on the eyes, heart, brain, and bones, etc. (Such examples include encephalopathy, neuroretinitis, osteomyelitis, and Parinaud’s syndrome.)
Prevention
Humans: If you have gotten scratched or bitten by a cat, (or you suspect the kitty may have licked a previous cut or wound), immediately wash the area with soap and warm water. Swab some antibacterial ointment over the cut and cover it with a bandage to avoid the cat trying to lick it later on.
In general, make it a habit to always wash your hands after cat-play time, whether or not there could be a chance of infection. For example, if your kitty licks you on the hand with the bacteria in his saliva, and then you immediately walk away to open a soda can, and accidentally cut yourself on the finger, infection could still occur. Avoid these tendencies:
- Playing roughly with the cat. Not only will this become a painful training problem when they are older, but it teaches them that behaviors such as biting and scratching are acceptable.
- Letting your pet lick wounds and cuts. While a dog’s saliva is considered by some to have healing properties, feline saliva is much more likely to carry gum disease bacteria, or henselae.
- Touching strays or feral cats. Though helping feed or offer shelter to abandoned or feral cats has its place, risking getting scratched or bitten by a potentially diseased feline is simply not worth the risk.
- Interrupting a cat. Startling a cat while he is grooming or eating can result in a swift swipe of the paw in your direction. Avoid this by giving your kitty plenty of uninterrupted space whenever he is obviously engaged, in chasing prey or grooming and dining.
Cat care: Obviously the two primary contributing factors that cause a cat to become infected with B. henselae are flea infestations and contact with other infected cats. Use these tips as a safety guide:
- Keep your cat inside. This might sound harsh, but it is generally not safe to let a cat wander outside. Protect him from interacting or fighting with unfamiliar, stray or feral felines that may carry diseases.
- Use flea treatments. Try to give your cat anti-tick and flea treatments, rubs and shampoos about once a month, and bring them in for regular checkups at the vet. For extra care, clip on a flea collar to keep the parasites at bay.
- Keep your house clean and floors vacuumed, and have carpets washed routinely.
- Trim the claws. Make sure the cat’s claws are neat and trimmed down. Consider paying a groomer to buff or cap their nails so that the blunt tips will be less likely to draw blood if playtime tends to get out of hand.