Signs of a generalized body infection include fever, chills, body aches, fatigue, and swollen glands. It’s crucial to keep an eye on the progression of the wound, he adds, and watch out for warning signs that it’s time to call your doctor.Īccording to Levy, signs of an infected wound include changes around the wound site, increased redness, warmth, swelling, tenderness, pain with movement, or pus drainage. The risk for infection is higher for people with weakened or compromised immune systems, Levy says.Īn over-the-counter antibiotic cream can be applied and the wound covered with a dry, sterile dressing until it heals, Levy says. A scratch to the eye needs immediate care. Wounds to the hands and feet can be more prone to infection, Levy warns, and scratches to the face or other areas of the body can cause cosmetic damage in the form of scarring.

“If the bleeding doesn’t stop despite holding pressure, then medical attention should be sought.” “If the wound is bleeding, apply pressure with a clean, dry gauze pad,” he says. When treating superficial scratches, it’s reasonable to wash the wound with soap and water, Levy says. “Some things to consider include wound location, wound depth, considerations regarding the cat itself, and medical factors about the person who was scratched,” he advises. Matthew Levy, an associate professor of emergency medicine at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, there are factors to consider immediately following a cat scratch. The greater the trauma, the greater the potential for swelling, exposure to the blood supply, and chance of infection, he adds.Īccording to Dr. A cat’s claws are generally sharper than those of a dog and are more likely to cause significant trauma, Mahaney explains. Patrick Mahaney has dealt with his share of aggressive cats and is well acquainted with the damage they can cause with a swipe of the paw. Like many animal doctors, Los Angeles-based holistic veterinarian Dr. Minor cat scratches usually can be treated at home, but certain wounds may require special care and attention. This zoonotic disease can be transmitted from dog to pet owner.Getting scratched by a cat can be more than just painful-the wounds can bleed, sting, swell, become infected, and, in some cases, make us sick. An illness, even though it may seem mild, can escalate and lead to serious complications for your pet.ĭogs who spend a lot of time outdoors, who live in rural areas, or who like to roam in fields or along the water’s edge can be exposed to sand flies, ticks, fleas and lice on a regular basis.ĭogs are infected by the Bartonella spp bacteria through fleas, ticks, lice and sand flies. Because of this, any small sign of your pet being unwell means a veterinarian visit is necessary. Weight loss and appetite reduction may be apparent as well, though some dogs may not reveal the clinical signs associated with this condition. If your dog appears to be suffering from malaise and is lethargic or depressed, you may want to take him to the veterinarian as soon as possible.

Bartonella will invade and damage cells, causing your companion to become ill. When a dog is bitten by fleas, sand flies, or lice, bacteria enters the blood and results in cat scratch fever.

Cat scratch