Cats are awesome and adored worldwide, but did you know they can be a source of a potentially serious infection? It’s called Cat Scratch Disease (CSD) and we’re here to tell you all about it. From signs and symptoms to diagnosis and treatment, here’s everything you need to know about Cat Scratch Disease.
Cat scratch disease (CSD) is an infection caused by Bartonella henselae bacteria that’s primarily spread through cats. Fortunately, this infection is generally treatable and doesn’t require hospitalization. It’s a zoonotic condition – this means it can be passed from animals to people and vice versa.
Symptoms of CSD usually appear between a few days or a few weeks after getting scratched, bitten, or licked by an infected cat. Common signs include:
- Swollen, tender lymph nodes near the area of the scratch
- Fever
- Headache
- Fatigue
- Rash near the scratch area
If you have any of these symptoms after being scratched by a cat, see your doctor right away. They’ll likely prescribe antibiotics to treat the CSD. In some cases, the infection will clear up without treatment, but it’s still important to have it checked out by a doctor.
Hopefully this article has helped you understand all that you need to know about cat scratch disease. So go ahead and show your cat some love, just be sure to wash your hands afterwards!