Cat-Scratch Disease By: Danielle DuFriend

Description Cat-scratch disease also known as CSD is caused by a bacteria called Bartonella henselae. This bacteria is carried by about 40% of cats in their saliva at some point in their life time, but do not show any signs of it while they have this bacteria. Some may not feel anything once getting this bacteria and some may experience sores rising in their skin that become sore.

Scientific Description An infectious disease that may follow the scratch or bite of a cat going through the vascular layer of skin, producing localized inflammation of lymph nodes and a low-grade fever. Also called benign incoulation lymphoreticulosis, cat scratch fever.

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Symptoms Symptoms/ signs of CSD may include: Fever Chills Nausea Vomiting Fatigue Inflammation and soreness of the lymph nodes Blisters or bumps

Cause This bacteria is spread by either a scratch or bite that contains a cats saliva that comes in contact with an open wound. The cat will not show any symptoms of sickness, it would not even know it had this bacteria. Also remember that not EVERY cat has this.

Cure Cat-scratch disease is self-limited, meaning that there is no specific treatment for it.

Worst Case Scenario The only worst thing that can happen with CSD is the blister or bump swelling up and becoming painful.

3 Facts You will never know if a cat has this bacteria in their saliva so you have to always be careful. Sometimes after an incident the blisters or bumps wont show up until 7 days to two months later Kittens are most likely to have the bacteria more then adult cats

Works Cited http://trialx.com/curetalk/wp- content/blogs.dir/7/files/2011/05/diseases/Cat_Scratch_Disease -2.jpg http://www.health32.com/cat-scratch-disease-overview-causes- risk-factors/ http://health.allrefer.com/pictures-images/cat-scratch- disease.html http://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMicm050180 http://www.dermaamin.com/site/atlas-of-dermatology/3-c/238- cat-scratch-disease-.html