Cat Scratch Infections

Cat scratch infections are most often caused by the bacteria bartonella, responsible for a condition called cat scratch fever. Bartonella infects up to 20 percent of the cat population in the U.S., according to the website VetInfo. Infected cats don't typically show any symptoms. Bartonella infections in humans often clear up on their own but can result in potentially dangerous complications.

  1. Causes

    • Bartonella is a bacterium carried and transmitted by fleas and ticks. The bacteria are covered with hair-like structures that can penetrate red blood cells. When a cat scratches or bites at a flea or tick bite, the bacteria can get under the cat's nails and stick to its teeth. The bacteria can then be transmitted from cats to humans via bites or scratches that break the skin.

    Symptoms

    • According to the ASPCA, symptoms of bartonella infection in humans include fever, headache, fatigue, joint pain, skin eruptions and weight loss. A red bump at the site of the bite or scratch and swollen lymph nodes are usually the first signs of infection. Potentially serious complications include enlargement of the spleen and heart valve infection. These complications are particularly dangerous for immune-compromised people.

    Diagnosis

    • Bartonella can be diagnosed with a simple blood test. A doctor can observe bartonella in red blood cells through a microscope. Often, diagnosis will include an examination of the cat, and treatment for flea and tick infestation if it exists.

    Treatment

    • Most people infected with bartonella recover on their own in one to three weeks. According to the Centers for Disease Control, antibiotics are usually prescribed for more serious cases, or cases that don't resolve within three weeks.

    Prevention/Solution

    • Since bartonella is transmitted via fleas and ticks, the easiest method of prevention is treating your cat with flea and tick medication. Many safe and effective medications exist for killing fleas and ticks on cats and for preventing re-infestation, including Frontline and Revolution. Both medications can be provided by a veterinarian. Keeping cats indoors is also an effective preventative measure, according to the Directors of Health Promotion and Education.