Domestication of animals started centuries ago. Our relationship with cats was something random when compared to rearing horses and cattle. They are well adapted for their stalking, catching and eating instincts. They probably first put their paw to domestic life when humans switched from hunter-gatherers to farmers. Growing crops and storing grains attracted swarms of rodents. This, in turn, provided an inextinguishable source of resources, which forced them to tag along with humans. Eventually, farmers began to realise, rearing cats have helped them to control the rodent population tremendously.

WHY ONE SHOULD BE CAREFUL WHILE HANDLING CATS

Cats are basically semi-domesticated. One can never train cats like dogs. They do not respond to discipline, unlike dogs. They interact well only when they are hungry or when there is a reward. Which is why it is always advised to train them just before their meal. Behavioural manifestations of cats can be diverse from other pet animals.

The incidence of fear induced aggressions is more common among cats. This behaviour is evidently projected when they try to escape while restraining or cornering them. Most of us get scratched or get bitten in such situations.  Cats can be a lot to handle. They are known to have mood fluctuations quite often. If you ask any cat owner they would have a lot to muse over how unpredictable their pets can be.

Often we neglect when we get bitten or scratched by a cat irrespective of the size of the wound. Being a vet even I get scratched by cats while restraining them. Even though I keep my vaccination records updated, at times even I tend to overlook mild scratches while handling. (Which made me write this article)

From the 20^th century, there is a boom in cat domestication. People started owning more cats. Obviously, this contributed to the increase in the cat population around the world especially in a developing country like India. We are often blind spotted regarding the zoonotic infections that can be transmitted through cats. One such zoonotic infection is CAT SCRATCH DISEASE (CSD). The incidence of the infection is quite rare but, one cannot say that it is impossible to get CSD.

TRANSMISSION FROM CATS TO HUMANS

 As the name signifies cat scratch diseases are transmitted by a scratch or a bite from the cat. Cat scratch disease (CSD) is an infectious disease caused by bacteria Bartonella henselae. Kittens younger than 1 year are more likely to harbour B.henselae organism. About 40% of cats carry this infection, although most cats with this infection show no signs of illness. Cats can get infected with B.henselae from flea bites and flea dirt getting into their wounds by scratching and biting the body. They can pick up the infected flea dirt in their nails and teeth. Therefore, it is transmitted to humans by scratches, bites or exposure to cat saliva. Most of the people with cat scratch diseases have been bitten or scratched by a cat and it starts with mild infection at the point of injury within 3-14days.

SYMPTOMS

It is characterised by

• Bumps or blisters at the site of bite/scratch. Within days’ time, these blisters often increase in their circumference and become red, round and raised lesions.

• Lymph nodes become swollen and painful especially near the head, neck and upper limbs.
• Fatigue,
• Loss of appetite
• Headache

TREATMENT

Antibiotic Doxycycline is the drug of choice, along with pantoprazole, corticosteroids, chlorpheniramine maleate will help in improving the condition. It might take about one week to show a positive result.

WHAT SHOULD BE DONE WHEN YOU GET SCRATCHED BY A CAT?

• Wash the wound thoroughly with soap solution
• Make sure you get your post-exposure rabies shots
• History of the cat is very important – mostly stray cats, diseased cats and kittens are known to carry the infection.
• It is very common to notice that the wound from scratches and bites heal within 2-3 days. However, the infection might take a week to manifest the symptoms.
• Once you notice small blisters on the periphery of the wound, consult a general physician immediately.
• DO NOT SELF MEDICATE

At times, irrespective of thorough washing of the wound and taking adequate precautions, it is possible to contract the infection.

When I contracted the infection that too after 6 days of post-scratch, there were small blisters on the scar, I thought it might be some fungal infection and nothing serious. Later after few days, the blisters started to increase in circumference with oozing of straw coloured fluid which was also accompanied by intense itching. Other symptoms were headaches, swelling of the lymph nodes, body pain and fever. The general physician could effortlessly diagnose the condition due to the characteristic symptoms and the history of close proximity with cats. Medication was given and I responded positively within a week’s time.

Cats being an asocial animal. One should always be careful while handling them. Even though the incidence of this infection is low, the possibility of contracting the disease should never be overlooked. When you own a pet it is your duty to keep the pet and all the family members safe from any kind of zoonotic infection. For this, one should be aware of the prevalent infections that could be transmitted from animals to humans. Ignorance should never be bliss when it comes to ours and pet’s welfare!

Please follow and like us: