Cat scratch fever...just looking for updated info

[Marty]

18 years ago, my son found a kitten and brought it home. Son developed a glandular problem, saw an ENT, and almost had surgery when I mentioned the kitten. Doc immediately said "cat scratch fever" and put all cats down. Well, we put the kitten down, but there was no way I would put my 10 yr old down. Why didn't I come down with something...the kitten crawled up my bare legs while washing dishes...he did a lot more to me than my son! We were just talking about Checker this weekend, which is what brought this up. Son is 28 now but still remembers this guy!

[davet]

here is some info on it but not all cats carry the bug and some of thoose that do may loose the bug...also individual susceptabilty is a factor...i still have an 8 inch scar on my left arm from an 8 week old kitten scratch =but never develope the disease...that was one tough kitten

Cat Scratch Disease



Alternate Names : Bartonellosis, Cat Scratch Fever, CSD

Definition
Cat scratch disease is an infectious illness caused by the bacteria Bartonella, believed to be transmitted by cat scratches, bites, or exposure to cat saliva. This leads to swelling of the lymph nodes (lymphadenopathy) near the site of the scratch or bite.

Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors

Cat scratch disease is caused by Bartonella henselae. The disease is spread through contact with an infected cat, as a result of a cat bite or scratch, or contact with cat saliva on broken skin or the conjunctiva of the eye.

Lymph node swelling begins about 2 to 3 weeks after exposure and may persist for months. Swelling may occur at the site of the initial infection followed by enlarged lymph nodes along the lymph drainage route from the injury site.

Occasionally, nodes may form a fistula through the skin and drain. Cat scratch disease is one of the common causes of chronic lymph node swelling in children. Until now, the disease often went unrecognized because of the difficulty in testing.

Recently however, the Bartonella henselae IFA test was shown to be highly sensitive and specific for the detection of infection caused by Bartonella henselae and for the diagnosis of cat scratch disease

[Marty]

Thanks...just one of those questions I will always wonder about as Mom...children don't forget a thing, and Mom's hope they did right!

[Traci]

What I'm wondering is WHY did your vet pts all of your cats??? I too have been bitten and scratched up badly by all types of cats and have never contracted it. And how do you know it was bartonella when it could have been any other immunological condition?

[Marty]

just the kitten. I took the chance that my older cats were OK. To be honest, I got the feeling the Doc didn't like cats. I don't know why the right tests were not done-(some testing was done). The referring Doc did tell me he hoped this ENT would not be too busy to be nice. Our town has since grown, and my limited business has gone elsewhere!