The Pet Tree House - Where Pets Are Family Too : CSD The Pet Tree House - Where Pets Are Family Too : CSD
Showing posts with label CSD. Show all posts
Showing posts with label CSD. Show all posts

Sunday, May 31, 2015

Cat-Scratch Disease: A Bacterial Infection Spread by Cats


Cat-scratch disease (CSD) is a bacterial infection spread by cats. The disease spreads when an infected cat licks a person's open wound, or bites or scratches a person hard enough to break the surface of the skin. 

About three to 14 days after the skin is broken, a mild infection can occur at the site of the scratch or bite. The infected area may appear swollen and red with round, raised lesions and can have pus. The infection can feel warm or painful. 

A person with CSD may also have a fever, headache, poor appetite, and exhaustion. Later, the person's lymph nodes closest to the original scratch or bite can become swollen, tender, or painful.

A person with Cat Scratch Disease. The lymph node nearest to the location of the scratch is swollen.

Wash cat bites and scratches well with soap and running water. Do not allow cats to lick your wounds. Contact your doctor if you develop any symptoms of cat-scratch disease or infection.

CSD is caused by a bacterium called Bartonella henselae. About 40% of cats carry B. henselae at some time in their lives, although most cats with this infection show NO signs of illness. Kittens younger than 1 year are more likely to have B. henselae infection and to spread the germ to people. Kittens are also more likely to scratch and bite while they play and learn how to attack prey.

How cats and people become infected

Cats can get infected with B. henselae from flea bites and flea dirt (droppings) getting into their wounds. By scratching and biting at the fleas, cats pick up the infected flea dirt under their nails and between their teeth. Cats can also become infected by fighting with other cats that are infected. The germ spreads to people when infected cats bite or scratch a person hard enough to break their skin. The germ can also spread when infected cats lick at wounds or scabs that you may have.

Serious but rare complications:

People

Although rare, CSD can cause people to have serious complications. CSD can affect the brain, eyes, heart, or other internal organs. These rare complications, which may require intensive treatment, are more likely to occur in children younger than 5 years and people with weakened immune systems.

Cats

Most cats with B. henselae infection show NO signs of illness, but on rare occasions this disease can cause inflammation of the heart—making cats very sick with labored breathing. B. henselae infection may also develop in the mouth, urinary system, or eyes. Your veterinarian may find that some of your cat's other organs may be inflamed.

Prevention:

People

Do:
  • 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

Control fleas:

  • Keep your cat's nails trimmed.
  • Apply a flea product (topical or oral medication) approved by your veterinarian once a month.
  • 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
Available Tests and Treatments:

People

Talk to your doctor about testing and treatments for CSD. People are only tested for CSD when the disease is severe and the doctor suspects CSD based on the patient's symptoms. CSD is typically not treated in otherwise healthy people.

Cats

Talk to your veterinarian about testing and treatments for your cat. Your veterinarian can tell you whether your cat requires testing or treatment.

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A Woman Says She Went Blind in One Eye After Her Cat Licked Her


A doctor says Janese Walters lost her sight due to "cat scratch disease", caused by the Bartonella henselae bacteria.

A woman has told how she went blind in one eye after her cat licked her.

Janese Toledo says she woke up one morning and couldn't see out of her left eye.

Now, after a month of visiting the doctor, she has finally been given an explanation for her loss of sight - her cat.

A doctor says Ms. Walters' blindness was caused by a condition called "cat scratch disease", which occurs when a feline passes on a bacteria, either through its saliva or fur.

Reliving her nightmare, Ms. Walters, from Toledo, Ohio, told local news channel WTOL: “I woke up one day and I couldn’t see out of my left eye.
“I looked in the mirror and I thought I had pink eye or something.”
Cat scratch disease is caused by the Bartonella henselae bacteria, which is carried by roughly 40% of felines.

The majority of infected animals do not show symptoms, according to the Center for Disease Control.

Dr. Kris Brickman, of the University of Toledo's College of Medicine and Life Sciences, told the media outlet cat scratch disease can affect a person's eyesight.

In addition, it can “cause some liver problems and can get into the spinal fluids and create meningitis.”




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