What happens if a kitten scratches you

Like many animal doctors, Los Angeles-based holistic veterinarian Dr. Patrick Mahaney has dealt with his share of aggressive cats and is well acquainted with the damage they can cause with a swipe of the paw. The greater the trauma, the greater the potential for swelling, exposure to the blood supply, and chance of infection, he adds.

According to Dr. Matthew Levy, an associate professor of emergency medicine at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, there are factors to consider immediately following a cat scratch.

Wounds to the hands and feet can be more prone to infection, Levy warns, and scratches to the face or other areas of the body can cause cosmetic damage in the form of scarring. A scratch to the eye needs immediate care.

The risk for infection is higher for people with weakened or compromised immune systems, Levy says. An over-the-counter antibiotic cream can be applied and the wound covered with a dry, sterile dressing until it heals, Levy says. According to Levy, signs of an infected wound include changes around the wound site, increased redness, warmth, swelling, tenderness, pain with movement, or pus drainage. Select personalised content. Create a personalised content profile. Measure ad performance.

Select basic ads. Create a personalised ads profile. Select personalised ads. Apply market research to generate audience insights. Measure content performance. Develop and improve products. List of Partners vendors. Cats are good at demanding attention. Their mouthing and pawing can often be a mix of both adorable and annoying.

But in rare instances, they can also be dangerous to your health. Even indoor cats that are well cared for can bring bacteria and viruses into your home. A bite or a scratch may mean that those germs are passed on to you, causing illness. In this article, you'll learn about a few infections that cats may cause. You'll also find advice on how to avoid getting sick from a cat.

Cat-scratch disease a. A feline passes it on to you by scratching you, biting, licking a wound you might have, or, in rare cases, sharing fleas that infect you directly. Cat-scratch disease is not common. About 22, cases are reported in the United States each year. Considering how often cats scratch, that's a very low rate, so it's not something you need to worry too much about. When the disease is passed to humans, it's usually through feral cats or infected kittens.

These kittens usually show no signs of illness despite being infected by the bacteria Bartonella henselae. Humans infected by cats may develop a red bump nearby the scratch. Lymph nodes may become tender or swollen as well. These symptoms can appear seven to 12 days after the exposure or as much as two months later. This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.

Bartonella henselae can cause a skin infection known as bacillary angiomatosis. Symptoms usually go away on their own in about a month. In some cases, you'll need to be treated with antibiotics. A cat bite carries a high risk of infection and can be dangerous if the cat is not properly vaccinated. If you're waking up with scratches, you're probably scratching yourself in your sleep. Learn about 6 other causes, like dermatographia. Also get….

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In most cases, no antibiotics are needed, and the infection will clear on its own. What are the complications of cat scratch fever? A skin disorder characterized by red, elevated lesions surrounded by a scaly ring. This condition may become a more widespread disorder that involves internal organs. Parinaud's oculoglandular syndrome. A condition that involves a red, irritated and painful eye similar to conjunctivitis pink eye , fever, and swollen lymph nodes in front of the ear on the same side Can cat scratch disease be prevented?

When should I call my healthcare provider? Key points about cat scratch fever Cat scratch disease is an infection caused by a bacterium in cat saliva. The disease causes redness and swelling at the site of a cat scratch or bite, and flu-like symptoms. If you are scratched or bitten by a cat or kitten, it is important to promptly wash the area with soap and water. Cat scratch disease can be treated by antibiotics.