Cat scratch disease is a zoonosis that, despite its name, can also be transmitted by dogs and between humans. Felines, however, are the main transmitters: as the popular name of the disease already indicates, scratching is the most common form of contagion. That is why attention must be redoubled in the event of a feline attack, either during play or in the incorrect handling ofDespite everything, bartonellosis in animals and humans is treatable and can be cured. Its symptoms vary for each one and the details of the cat scratch disease you can check in the following article!

Cat scratch disease is a zoonosis transmitted by the bacterium Bartonella

Bartonellosis, known as cat scratch disease (CSD), is caused by a bacterium called Bartonella and affects some domestic animals, mainly cats. The main way of contagion is through the scratching of the infected cat. Despite being a zoonosis, the condition is not usually serious in humans, being easy to recover if treatment begins early. In this case, the symptoms areof Bartonella henselae in humans are fever, abdominal pain, skin manifestations, lymphadenopathy (enlarged lymph nodes) and uveitis.

However, it is important to mention that the severity of cat scratches varies. If the individual has a predisposed disease, it may worsen. The same goes for cats. If he has diseases such as feline FIV or FeLV, anaemias or suffers from uveitis in cats, care must be redoubled.

In any case, if you come into contact with the blood or secretions of a host, it is important to wash the affected area thoroughly and seek medical advice. Another detail is the strain of the bacteria, as there are 45 species of Bartonella. Not all of them affect humans, but the most famous ones, called Bartonella Quintana and Bartonella Henselae, deserve attention.

Bartonellosis is transmitted by scratching infected cats and also by the bite of parasites

Feline bartonellosis is transmitted through fleas and ticks, contact with feces and/or scratching caused by an infected host cat. The explanation for this is that an infected parasite naturally transmits the disease to felines through the bite. But in addition, there are the flea droppings: when the feline scratches itself, it comes into contact with the excrement of the parasite and in this way, theThe bacterium lives in the cat's nails, which facilitates a new infection. This is also the reason why the incidence is lower in dogs, as they have less sharp nails. The Bartonellosis bacterium survives for seven to 14 days in the environment and about a year in the cat's bloodstream.

Symptoms of cat scratch disease are listlessness and fever

When infected by bartonella, cat can suffer silent symptoms for the first three weeks. From this period onwards, the signs become noticeable, but in a progressive manner. So, it is very important to keep an eye out for any changes in your cat's behaviour that indicate the disease. These are usually symptoms of cat scratch disease:

• Apathy
• Lack of appetite
• Fever
• Weight loss or anorexia
• Anemia
• Muscle pain
• Endocarditis (bacterial disease affecting the cardiac endothelial surface and heart valves and which can result in abnormal heart murmur and arrhythmia)
• Feline uveitis (inflammation of the eye iris causing severe pain and involuntary excessive tearing)

The severity of Bartonella symptoms will depend on the cat's general health and the state of its immune system. To confirm the diagnosis, the veterinarian should order a serological test to identify the presence of the bacteria in the blood (a blood culture test, for example), as well as a blood count and fecal and urine tests.

Is the disease caused by Bartonella henselae curable?

Despite the easy transmission, treatments for cat scratch disease are very effective and recovery is easy. Therapy is based on taking care of the symptoms the animal presents, whether it is a fever or heart disease. In the initial phase, antibiotics for cats may be recommended to prevent the progression of the disease. The treatment time varies from case to case. But even if the symptomscease, the bacteria Bartonella henselae survives in the cat's organism for a year, so it is essential to have a veterinary follow-up to check the general health of the pet.

Feline bartonellosis: prevention can be done with proper hygiene of the animal and the environment

To prevent cat scratch disease, it is essential to keep the environment clean and free of fleas. To do this, it is important to take care of the animals' hygiene. Maintain a routine of care for the cat's nails, cleaning and trimming two to three times a month. This attention is interesting to prevent transmission during play, for example. Another care is to keep the litter box cleanof the cat, collecting feces daily and washing the container twice a month.

Maintaining other basic care, such as protective screens on windows and indoor breeding, are essential to prevent cats from having access to the streets and consequently becoming infected. These details reduce the risk of Bartonellosis and also the other infectious cat diseases, such as toxoplasmosis and sporotrichosis.

The bacteria that cause cat scratch disease are more common in warmer seasons, when the environment is more humid. This increases the resistance and proliferation of the parasites that transmit it. Therefore, in addition to the cat, it is essential to keep the house clean.

Even bigger in felines, it is essential to also take care of dogs. So, if the species live in the same house, redouble the care so that no one is infected. For example, when walking the dog, check for the presence of parasites and make the proper hygiene of the pet before entering the house: another animal on the street may have infected the dog, which are seen as accidental hosts.