Symptoms of Cat Scratch Disease

Cat Scratch Disease is a bacterial disease that is caused by the bacteria Bartonella henselae. The disease develops when an infection occurs after being bitten or scratched by a cat. Kittens are more likely to spread the disease and approximately 40% of cats will carry the bacteria at some point in their lives. Cat Scratch Disease is more commonly known as Cat Scratch Fever.

Symptoms of Cat Scratch Disease include a small papule that develops after ten days, fever, chills, nausea, vomiting, fatigue and swollen, painful lymph nodes. Less common symptoms include weight loss, sore throat and draining lymph nodes. More serious symptoms that require immediate medical care include unusual bruises or spots on the skin, red eye that drains, fever over 103 ºF, stiff neck, severe headache, change in consciousness and severe vomiting.

It is not a serious disease in people with healthy immune systems and often does not need treatment. It can be quite serious and even fatal in people who have an impaired immune system. Often those with HIV/AIDS, Diabetes or who are undergoing chemotherapy for cancer may experience serious complications such as bacillary angiomatosis or Parinaud’s oculoglandular syndrome. Bacillary angiomatosis causes severe inflammation of multiple organs such as the brain, spleen, liver, lungs and bone marrow. Parinaud’s oculoglandular syndrome is an eye problem that is similar to conjunctivitis (pink eye).

Antibiotics are used in the treatment of the disease if the lymph nodes remain swollen for two to three months, if fever persists for a long period of time or if the infection is in the bones, liver or other organs. Lymph nodes may be drained if they are large or very painful. Cats don’t have to be treated because the bacteria doesn’t make them sick. They are just the carriers for the disease so they never show any signs of it.

It is unknown how cats get the bacteria, but there is a possibility that they get it from fleas.

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By: C.Olvera
Published: 02/10/08