Cat scratch disease, also known as bartonellosis, is a bacterial infection caused by the bacterium Bartonella henselae . This condition does not directly affect your feline's claws, but can be transmitted to humans, hence its name. It is, in fact, a zoonosis , a disease that can be transmitted between animals and humans, with children, the elderly, and immunocompromised individuals being most at risk.
How is it transmitted?
The disease is mainly transmitted to humans by:
- Scratches or bites from infected cats,
- Flea bites that have previously been on a cat carrying the bacteria.
Cats, especially kittens and stray cats , often carry the bacteria without showing visible symptoms.
Symptoms in Humans
After an incubation period of one to two weeks, the most common symptoms are:
- Appearance of red bumps at the site of the bite or scratch,
- Inflammation of the lymph nodes ,
- Fever , fatigue,
- Muscle or joint pain .
Although generally mild, the disease can sometimes lead to more serious complications, such as neurological or pulmonary disorders.
How to prevent the disease?
There is no vaccine against cat scratch disease. However, there are a few simple steps you can take to prevent it:
- Wash your hands after petting your cat,
- Avoid letting your cat lick you if you have a wound,
- Treat your cat regularly for fleas , under the advice of your veterinarian.
Finally, if you are scratched or bitten by a cat, wash and disinfect the wound immediately, then monitor its progress.