What is Cat Scratch Disease?

The most common zoonotic disease associated with cats is Bartonella, an infection better known as cat scratch disease. Originally blamed on a virus, the actual cause of this disease is the rickettsial organism found in fleas, Bartonella henselae. Case history indicates that kittens are more likely to transmit the infection, but all animals that come into contact with fleas are at risk. 

How Cat Scratch Disease Spreads

The basic cycle for the disease is:

• Flea feeds on cat and excretes infected flea feces of dried cat blood, also referred to as flea dirt.
• Cat scratches itself and gets the infected flea dirt under its claws; or,
• Grooms itself and gets the infected flea dirt in its mouth.
• A cat scratch, bite or lick can then transmit the disease to a human.

Symptoms of Cat Scratch Disease

Typical symptoms of the disease may include:

• Tender and swollen lymph nodes
• Possible rash or red streak up the arm or leg

Less than typical symptoms of the disease may include:

• Low-grade fever
• Headache
• Sore muscles
• Painful joints
• Fatigue
• Nausea
• Poor appetite
• Weight loss

Severe Symptoms of Cat Scratch Disease may include:

• Sensory Loss
• Pneumonia
• Spleen enlargement
• Heart valve infection
• Encephalitis
• Death

Development of Infection

Most cat scratch disease cases can account for a cat biting, licking, or scratching the patient before the onset of the infection.
The characteristic development of the infection is:

• Within 3 to 14 days, at the site of the bite, lick, or scratch, a small red bump called a papule will develop.
• Two to three weeks later the lymph nodes in the area of the papule will swell and become painful.
• Patient will develop a fever.

People at Highest Risk

A healthy person will generally recover with the symptoms resolving on their own. However, people with compromised immune systems should consider avoiding contact with cats less than a year old as the disease can be very serious, even life-threatening. 

Other Animals Can Transmit the Virus

The Bartonella organism is estimated to infect thousands of people each year. Even though the name implies that the disease is only transmitted by cats, there are different species of Bartonella organisms that survive on different types of animals. Flea control is the best step to take toward reducing the spread of this organism.

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