Comments on: Cat Scratch Disease

By: allison

allison — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 23:27:44 +0000

How do u know if ur dog has cat scratch fever? My dog has been scratched by 2 cats a few times and i just want to know how can u determine if the dog has caught it? What are some signs that the dog has cat scratch fever?

By: Kay Williams

Kay Williams — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 15:54:24 +0000

My immuno-suppressed daughter (23 yrs.) has been ill since the first of the year: swollen glands, headaches, dizziness, abdominal pain, nausea/vomiting, severe joint pain, and has carried a low-grade fever the entire time. she now has “lumps” forming under her skin, with strange darkening “rash” on her arms, near the site of several cat scratches. We both have had a TOTAL lack of energy, and during the initial onset, slept almost around the clock. I did not get ill until 2 months ago, with pretty much the same symptoms, but less swelling in my lymph nodes. My first thought was that we had contracted a Chlamydial infection, after one of our 2 cats was diagnosed with this infection in his eye…he had had runny eyes and nose, with sneezing, since we got him a little over a year ago. We both took one round of 500 mg. Z-Pak, two weeks ago, with some improvement in the week that followed, however, symptoms seem to be returning. I believe that I am slowly getting over this, but my daughter, who has CAH (Congential Adrenal Hyperplasis), seems to be getting worse. (She takes 2 daily medications for her disease that are steroidal components, which have affected her immune function all of her life.) She is home, with the cats, all day, every day.
I saw an Infectious Disease doctor (Dr. Batteiger) at Indiana University Hospital, one week ago, and will get lab results this Thursday. I know that he tested my blood for both Chlamydia and the bacteria that causes CSD. I would like to know if you have any further advice…..many thanks, Kay Williams (Indianapolis).

By: Edward C Wu, MD

Edward C Wu, MD — Fri, 16 Nov 2007 14:44:04 +0000

Dear Velvet’s Dad:

Thanks for your input. I’m not a vet, and as a result, I try to offer some opinions from the medical (human) community here on Itchmo. I am assuming you are a vet, and your points are very well taken.

I actually never said that we should not be concerned about this disease. I do clearly believe that it is something that needs to be addressed by health care professionals - both vets and physicians - if a pet owner suspects CSD.

To health!

By: Velvet's Dad

Velvet's Dad — Wed, 14 Nov 2007 19:25:48 +0000

Dr. Wu is an MD, not a vet. So, when he says cats are common carriers, not to be concerned, he is only partially right.

Bartonella is a common infectious–and often dormant–disease in cats, especially those that come from shelters. The reason is that the disease is spread by fleas.

Dr. Wu is wrong to say not to be concerned. If left untreated, the disease can eventually play havoc with the cat, causing ocular and renal failures among others. Unfortunately, there is no direct test for Bartonella. However, the National Veterinary Laboratory in NJ does have a test, albeit an indirect one. If the cat tests positive, there are a couple of medications your vet can recommend. The more effective is probably azithromycin, given orally for 21 days. The cat then should be re-tested six months following the end of the medication. Azithromycin is about 85% effective, first time around.