A cat scratch can cause other conditions such as cat scratch fever, MRSA, and other bacterial infections.
Why Are Cat Scratches Dangerous?
Most cat scratches will not cause disease.
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you’re free to also add an over-the-counter antibiotic ointment and cover it with a bandage.
The virus is found in the saliva and nerve cells of infected animals.
In extremely cold conditions, the virus can even live for several months.
How Common Is Rabies in Cats?
As the disease progresses, symptoms may include:
People with rabies may also experience a fear of water.
What Are The Chances of Getting Rabies From a Cat?
The chances are extremely low.
This incident happened in 1975.
Other Cat-Scratch Infections
A cat scratch can transmit a number of other infections.
These infections are possible even from your own cat, and from cats kept exclusively indoors.
Cat-scratch disease is not common.
When the disease ispassed to humans, its usually through feral cats or infected kittens.
These kittens usually show no signs of illness despite being infected by the bacteriaBartonella henselae.
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Some people develop:
Bartonella henselaecan cause a skin infection known asbacillaryangiomatosis.
Symptoms usually go away on their own in about a month.
In some cases, youll need to be treated with antibiotics.
Occasionally, this condition becomes more serious.
People who areimmunocompromised, especially those withHIV, are more likely to develop complications.
Cats vs.
Dogs
Cat bites are often more worrisome than dog bites.
While dogs may damage your skin more, cats make deeper puncture wounds.
That means that cat bites are more likely to become infected than dog bites.
Your pets can pass MRSA on to you if they have the bacteria.
Theres also the chance that a cat may cause the infection by scratching or nipping you.
You naturally have MRSA and other bacteria on your skin.
If your cat breaks your skin, that bacteria can get into the open wound and create an infection.
Other Bacterial Infections
Other bacteria can be passed to you if your cat bites you.
Common types include:
Serious cat bites are typically treated with antibiotics.
Oral antibiotics are the first-line treatment unless the infection is unusually aggressive.
Intravenous (IV) antibiotics are also used if oral medications fail.
Because bacteria from cat bites can quickly cause problems, you should see your healthcare provider right away.
At-Home Care
For any cat scratch,wound careis essential.
This can lead to another infection.
MRSA or other infections will also require antibiotics.
Prevention
There are many options for preventing infection and protecting yourself if youre bitten or scratched.
Cats can also transmit cat-scratch disease and bacterial infections including MRSA.
Making sure your cat is healthy will reduce the risk that a scratch or nip will cause you illness.
If injuries happen, take them seriously.
Always have bites looked at, and watch scratches forsigns of infection.
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