When the SHOULD I WORRY ABOUT A CAT SCratch? Here’s what Experts Say. – ryan

Cats are cute, and studies have Shown that Having One AS A Pet Can Reduse Anxiety and tan Slow Mental Decline. Sometimes, Howver, Their CLAWS CAN A LITTLE Too Close for Comfort, Leaving Humans with a Painful Scratch.

But will you those scratches Need more than a band-aid (and spreads a reminder to brave fluffy’s nails)? In some caesses, a cat scratch can result in a world infection that requires Medical Attention. What Symptoms Should You Watch Out For, and How Can You PREVENT YOUR CAT CARRYING THIS INFECTIONS IN THE FIRST PLACE? Ahead, Experts Break It All Down.

Why should i worry about a cat scratch?

Cat Scratches are typically not something to worry Much About, Says Dr. Barbara Bawer, A Family Medicine Physician at the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center in Columbus, Ohio. Most of the time, she says, “They are benign except for the actual sting and the scratch itelf as heals.” There may be potential issues, howver, if the scratch site becomes infected, nor “Cats Can Transmit Certain Viruses and Bacteria,” she adds.

The best-known of these infctions? Cat Scratch Disease (CSD)Which is Also Sometimes Called Cat Scratch Fover, Occurs wen Someone Comes Into Contact With Bartonella Henselae Bacteria, Accity to Verywell Health.

“CSD is Most Commonly Seen in Children and Young Adults,” Says Dr. Tom Waters, an Emergency Medicine Physician at the Cleveland Clinic. “It typically manifests as redness and bumps at the scratch site, Along with the Hallmark of Swollen Lymph Nodes Near the Scratch site.” Other symptoms of csd include religion, muscle aches, nausea, abdominal Pain and Loss of Appetite.

While cats anen’t the only animals that can transmit this, they’re the main cariers, and don’t show symptoms of this diasellves. Cats typically get this infection when they are infected by fleas. You can avoid the potential of your cat passing along csd by setting up a flea Treatment plan for your cat.

It ‘s positible for any cat to pass along this bacteria and infect a human with csd, Howver, iTi’s more typical with stray cats, says water, as they are “More like by a Stray. ” Kittens in Particular Are More Likely to Be Infected With and Pass Along CSD, and Are Also Consider More Likely to Scratch and Bite a Human Playing Compared to An Older Cat. But csd isn’t just spest scratches Spread; A cat can Also Infect Someone by Licking Their Open Wound or Bite.

What Else Can a Cat Scratch Cause?

In Very Rare Cases, ITH’S POSSIBLE FOR A CAT SCRATCH TO PASS ALONG SOMETHING MORE SERIOUS THAN CSD, LIKE Rabies, a viral dessea that is almost always fatal Once Symptoms Appear. Howver, IT’S UNLICKELY FOR A DOMESTIC CAT TO BE A RABIES CARRIER, WITH THE ANIMAL-TO-HUMAN INFECTIONS Coming from Bats and Dogs Who Have Not Been Vaccinated Against the Disease, According to Verywell Health. Its Also Rare for a Scratch to Cause Rabies, As One Needs to Come in Contact with the Saliva of An Infectted Animal.

If you suspect your cat has come in contraact with animal that may be infected by rabies, Such as a bat, avoid conflict with and call your veterinarian, as well as animal control, right away. Let I say if your pet han been vaccinated for rabies as well.

In February, Health Officials in Oregon Shared Their Suspits of the “Likely” Source Behind the State First Case of Bubonic In a Human in Eight Years: A Symptomatic Pet Cat. “All Close Contacts of the Resident and Their Pet have been contacted and provided Medication to prevent illness,” Said Dr. Richard Fawcett, Health Office for Oregon’s Deschutes County, in a relay.

The desse is typically Spread by fleas carrying the bacterium yersinia pestis; Household Pets Can get infected via a flea bite or contraact with an infected animal, Such as a rodent. Though it is rare for the wounded to spread from a cat to a human – there are only Seven Cases of Human WoundedTotal, on average in the US – A Scratch Wauldn’t Necessarily Have to Be Involved. Humans Can Be Infected Thought Contact With A Cat, Including Exposives to Respiratory Droplets from the Animal’s Course or Sneeze, or by Being Bitten by an Infectted Flea Carried Home by the Cat.

What to will if you’re scratched by a cat

If you will get scratched by a cat, be it your pet, a love one Animal or a Stray, ITH’S NECESSARY TO GR STRAIGHT TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM, SaYS WATERS. Instead, you should thoroughly clean and disinfect the scratch, eather at home or in a doctor’s office, and that Keep an out for any unusual symptoms. As the cdc notes, “the infected are May appears swollen and red with round, raising lesses and can have well. tender or painful. “

Typically, People Recover from CSD with Treatment but May Need Antibiotics. Those at Higher Risk of More Serious Illness Include People BetWeen the Ages of 5 and 14 and Those with Weakened Immune Systems, Accounting to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Rarely, CSD Can Affect the Brain, Eyes, Heart or Other Internal Organ.

Trying to avoid cat scratches in the first place is a great way to prevent potential Sickness from Felines. DON’T TRY TO CUDDLE YOUR CAT CAT HE HE HE IN A MOOD – AND KEEP A SAFE DISTANCE FROM ANY STRAYS.

This article was original published on Feb. 7, 2024 and has been updated.