Cats are animals that are good at demanding attention. They may act unpredictably and strike out at you either playfully or aggressively. That means you should be prepared for a possible scratch or bite.
Most cat scratches do not pose a threat to humans. But some scratches from cats can be harmful and detrimental to human health. The main concern is the cat’s health status, whether it is a bacteria-carrying agent or not.
If you are otherwise immunocompromised, get medical attention immediately for scratches or bites to avoid complications.
Bite wounds are more likely than scratches to become infected.
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 infections.
Possible Consequences of Cat Scratches on Humans
1. Deep cuts can result from the injury
2. Swelling of the scratching spot
3. Bleeding on occasions that the scratch is deep
4. Infections like cat-scratch disease and others
How to Treat a Cat Scratch
As much as humans interact with cats, cat scratches cannot be a surprise as they are common, especially with children. It even at times graduates to a bite.
Do not attempt to be aggressive to the cat if it looks scared or upset; you may only injure yourself and the cat.
The victim’s safety is the first point of call. The stability of the cat also needs to be ensured.
Get the vaccination status of the cat if you can. Vaccination status can help ease the fear of rabies, Pasteurella, and other infection transmissions, even when the scratch is deep.
Once the vaccination status is known, follow the simple steps to treat the wound and understand when to see a doctor.
- Separate the cat from the scratch victim and ascertain the depth of the scratch.
- If you are the cat parent, tact is required to ensure a bite does not follow the scratch. You need to understand why the cat resulted in scratching. The scratch could be the kitten’s way of expressing the need to be let free or her wish to be lonely for the time being.
- Knowing the reasoning behind your cat’s behavior will help you predict if the cat will strike again.
- Where the cut is severe and causes bleeding, apply direct pressure to the wound, covering it with a clean towel or cotton, and hold it tight till the blood loss ceases.
- If the towel or cotton gets soaked, you can double it to increase the absorption capacity for the gushing blood.
- Please clean it up with soap and hot water once the bleeding has stopped. Any ordinary soap will suffice. To eliminate any leftover particles, rinse well with water.
- Apply a clean, dry dressing to the wound. Before covering the bite, you can use medicinal cream, but this is typically unneeded.
- Where the attacking cat is an outdoor cat without an identified owner, it is best to consult a doctor because there is no way of knowing its vaccination status.
What is Cat-Scratch Disease?
Cat-scratch disease (CSD) is an infectious condition usually spread by a cat’s scratch or bite. Some people call the same disease cat scratch fever.
Bacteria found in cat saliva cause it. Fleas are most likely the source of the bacterium in cats.
In healthy individuals, this is not a serious illness. It can, however, be an issue for early childhood or those who have an impaired immune system. Cancer patients, diabetics, and those with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).
Symptoms of Cat-Scratch Disease
If you are bitten by a cat, a red lump, sore, or blain may appear on the injury spot. The swelling might happen anywhere from three to ten days following the attack. The injury may not heal on time.
A low-grade temperature, headache, weariness, or a loss of appetite are all possible symptoms.
Biofluid node infection is also a possibility. The glands nearest to the injury spot are the most commonly affected. The ducts around your underarm may become sore and swollen if the cut is on your arm.
If you have any of the observations below, contact your physician:
a. A wound from a cat bite that is protracted
b. Expanding red spot around the injury.
c. Unabated feverish feeling after the cat bite and scratch.
d. Gastrointestinal pains, muscular discomfort, and severe weakness lasting more
than a fortnight after the cat attack.
e. Inflamed and painful lymph nodes for more than a fortnight that is painful
and swollen for more than 2 or 3 weeks.
Protection measures against Cat Scratch Diseases
- Declawing the cats, which is getting your nails trimmed. But the process also involves removing the bones as it can cause lasting physical problems for your cat, which is why many countries have banned it outrightly. Besides the pain it can cause the cat, it can impede a cat’s ability to use her litter effectively.
- Applying nail caps — Nail caps, such as Soft Paws, can be used on your cat’s nails as a protective shield.
- Don’t tease or anger a cat. Staying away from an angry feline can save you from a cat bite.
- Don’t engage your cat in aggressive play to avoid her bite.
- Get your cat vaccination shot updated.
- Steer clear from petting feral or stray cats as they carry a higher infection risk.
Just Suffered a Cat-Scratch Disease?
1. If you are a victim of a cat attack, clean up the injury spot very well.
2. Watch out for any infection symptoms within that short while.
3. Ensure your mood and stability are not compromised in the course observation
4. Reach out to your doctor if you have any symptoms or feel unwell.
You may not need to rush to the clinic as you can administer pain medications at home. Warm compresses will also go a long way as a first-aid measure to manage the symptoms.