Tag: first aid

Cat paw scratching log
Science

What to Do If You Are Scratched by a Cat

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Meredith Hemphill

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Encyclopaedia Felidae now has a Patreon! Go to www.patreon.com/EncyclopaediaFelidae if you want to help support this content!

Cat scratch fever isn’t just a song by Ted Nugent. Being scratched by a cat is just one of the hazards of having one, but seemingly minor nicks can lead to nasty infections. It’s important to take good care of any cat-induced injuries.

Cat paw scratching log
Image by Gianluca from Pixabay

Not only are cats’ claws sharp, but they can carry bacteria [1-5]. So, step one after getting scratched by a cat is to clean the wound [1-5]. Flush the wound with running water [2, 3] and then wash it with mild soap [1-5]. If it’s a serious enough scratch that it’s still bleeding after that, apply pressure with a clean cloth or bandage to stop the bleeding [2, 3]. Then apply a topical antibiotic (like Neosporin) and cover with a sterile bandage [2, 3].

For most cat scratches, that’s all the attention the injury needs. If it doesn’t break the skin, all you have to do is clean any bacteria off, and you’re done. But sometimes, a scratch can get infected and even make you quite sick, so keep an eye on the wound and be vigilant for any symptoms of the infections below [1-5].

Cat Scratch Fever

Cat scratch fever, also called cat scratch disease or CSD, is an infection caused by the bacterium Bartonella henselae [1-3, 5]. Cats become infected with B. henselae from fleas or by fighting with other infected cats [1-5]. Up to 30% of cats carry this bacterium in their blood [1]! But cats rarely become sick from it [1, 3, 5]. When an infected cat scratches or bites a human and breaks the skin, or licks a human’s open wound, then the B. henselae bacteria get into that person’s bloodstream, and that’s what causes CSD [1-5].

Symptoms typically start between 3 days and 2 weeks after the cat scratch or bite [1, 3, 5]. The injury may become red, swollen, warm, and painful; develop lesions; and exhibit pus [1, 3-5]. Later, lymph nodes near the injury may swell and get sore [1, 3-5]. Other symptoms that may develop include fever, headache, loss of appetite, fatigue, and joint pain, somewhat like the flu [1, 3-5].

Usually, CSD is not serious and will resolve on its own or with antibiotics [1-5]. However, in rare cases it can cause serious problems with the brain, eyes, heart, or other organs and require intensive treatment [1-5]. Children from ages 5-14 and people with weak immune systems are most likely to have these complications [1, 4, 5]. If you notice any signs or symptoms of CSD after being scratched by a cat, see a medical professional right away, just to be safe [1-5].

Other Infections You Can Get from Being Scratched by a Cat

Other pathogens can be present on a cats claws and be introduced under your skin by a scratch. One example is Staphylococcus aureus, a common bacterium on the skin of humans and other animals that can cause several types of infections when introduced inside the body [2]. Another culprit is Campylobacter [2]. Campylobacter is typically spread through cat feces, but cats bury their poop with their paws, so the bacteria can be on their claws, too [2]. A Campylobacter infection can cause fever, stomach cramps, nausea, and diarrhea [2]. Pasturella bacteria are spread by cat bites and scratches, too [2]. The bacteria attack the joints and tendons, causing pain and swelling, and symptoms can appear within a few hours [2].

Quick Tips to Prevent Scratches

Cat chewing a stick
Anything can be a toy, and toys will be destroyed – Image by Birgit from Pixabay

If you have cats, you’re probably going to get scratched sooner or later. There are a few things you can do to make it less likely, however. First of all, DO NOT play with your cat using your hands [3]! Only use toys, preferably ones that keep your hands far away from the action. If you use your hand like a toy, your cat will treat it like a toy. And you’ve seen how they treat their toys.

Keeping your cats nails trimmed can help prevent scratches as well, especially accidental ones [3]. Many cats don’t care for this, but they can usually be accustomed to it over time. You can have a groomer do it for you, but keep in mind that your cat will associate the groomer with the claw trimming. They may learn to resist their grooming appointments like they do their vet visits. There are advantages to doing it yourself at home and giving them their favorite treat when you’re done.

Sources

  1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases. (2023, June 13). Cat scratch disease (Bartonella henselae infection). https://www.cdc.gov/healthypets/diseases/cat-scratch.html
  2. Cleveland Clinic. (2020, October 9). What you should do for a cat bite or scratch. https://health.clevelandclinic.org/cat-bites-scratches/
  3. Krebsbach, S. (2022, November 23). What to do if you are scratched by a cat. Preventive Vet. https://www.preventivevet.com/cats/what-to-do-if-you-are-scratched-by-a-cat
  4. Johns Hopkins Medicine. (n.d.). Cat scratch disease. https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/cat-scratch-disease
  5. Pei, D. N. and Soto, P. (n.d.). Cat bites and scratches: Sometimes more than just a cut. National Capital Poison Center. https://www.poison.org/articles/cat-bites

Published September 10th, 2023

Cat under an umbrella in the rain
Cat Care

Disaster Preparedness for Cats: How to Keep Your Pet Safe in an Emergency

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Meredith Hemphill

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Encyclopaedia Felidae now has a Patreon! Go to www.patreon.com/EncyclopaediaFelidae if you want to help support this content!

It’s the middle of hurricane season, and we just had a line of severe thunderstorms and tornados go through last Monday. Yesterday I saw a picture of someone looking for a lost cat in the ashes of their house on Maui. An emergency can happen any time, so we all need to think about disaster preparedness for our cats. What is the plan in case of a fire, flood, earthquake, or any other worst-case scenario? I hope you and your pets never have to face anything like that, but sometimes it happens. All we can do is be prepared.

“Hope you got your things together…looks like we’re in for nasty weather.”

Be Ready Before Something Happens

If there’s an emergency, you may need to move your cat to a safe room or even evacuate your home. At the very least, you’ll need to know where your pets are. So, step #1: make sure you have a carrier for every animal [2, 3, 8, 9]. A cat (or dog) carrier needs to be big enough for them to comfortably stand, lie down, and turn around in [1, 9]. You’ll also want to get your cat comfortable with being in the carrier [9, 10]. Similar to crate training dogs, you want your cat to feel like the carrier is a safe den and not just the place you shove them when scary things happen.

There’s not a one-size-fits-all method here, but things you can try include: putting a cozy blanket in the carrier, giving treats or feeding your cat inside, incorporating the carrier in playtime, and draping a towel over the carrier to make it cozier. Make sure you leave the carriers somewhere your cats can hang out in them regularly [9]. Label every carrier with your pet’s name, your name, and your contact information [3, 6, 5].

Gray kitten hiding under sofa
Block the unders to avoid this during a crisis – Image by Alexander Alehin from Pixabay

Even if your cat is used to their carrier, they might still be scared during a real emergency, so expect to have to catch your cat. That being said, it helps to pre-emptively “block the unders,” in the words of cat behaviorist Jackson Galaxy. This means under the bed, under the dresser, under the sofa–all those hidey-holes cats can get into that we can’t get them out of easily, if at all. Find a way to block those off so that if you need to quickly grab your cat and go, you don’t have to try to crawl under the furniture looking for a terrified house panther. [9]

Despite our best efforts, our pets still get lost sometimes, especially during the chaos of a disaster. So, it’s important that your pet has identification, too. The best way to make sure that a lost cat is returned to you is to have them microchipped [6, 9]. Get your cats microchipped as soon as possible–most vets will do it during their spay/neuter surgery–and keep your contact information up-to-date with the microchip service [1-3, 6, 8-10]. If your cat will wear a collar, make sure they’re wearing correct tags including your contact info and any serious medical needs [1-3, 6]. Only use breakaway collars with cats.

Make sure you have a pet rescue alert sticker posted on a front window or somewhere near the door of your home [3, 4, 9]. These tell first responders that there animals in the house, what kind, and how many, so that they know to look for them [3, 4, 9]. You can order a sticker for free from the ASPCA. If you evacuate and have time on the way out, write EVACUATED over the sticker in permanent marker so no one wastes valuable time looking for animals that have been safely removed already [3, 4].

Pack Your Cat’s Disaster Preparedness Kit

Having an emergency kit packed and ready to grab and go will save you a great deal of time and stress if disaster strikes. You’ve probably heard recommendations for packing an emergency bag for yourself, but you should have one for your cats, too [1-10]. If you have a car or other reliable transport, pack a tough, waterproof box (like a storage bin with handles) that you can load up and take with you. If not, use something like a duffel bag or backpack that you can carry. Have one of those on hand even if you plan to drive, just in case that ceases to be possible.

Here’s a list of, ideally, everything to put in your pet emergency kit:

  • Important documents: identification papers like adoption records and microchip number; medical records; contact information for you, other potential caretakers, and your veterinarian; recent photo(s), preferably with both you and your pet
  • Food and bottled water for at least three days
  • Food and water bowls (collapsible ones save space), manual can opener if needed
  • 2 weeks-1 month supply of any medications
  • 1 month of parasite preventative
  • Cat litter and disposable litter trays (aluminum roasting pans and shallow cardboard boxes work)
  • Trash bags
  • Disinfectant, dish soap, paper towels
  • Pet first aid kit
  • Familiar blanket or bed
  • Familiar toy(s)
  • Grooming supplies, if your cat needs them
  • Harness and leash, if you walk your cat

Remember to periodically replace items in your emergency kit that expire, like food and medications. Below are downloads for pet emergency kit checklists from the Red Cross, American Veterinary Medical Association, and ASPCA, if you’re a checklist person like me. The ASPCA one is specifically for cats.

Red Cross Pet Safety Kit Checklist Download
AVMA Pet Evacuation Kit Checklist Download
ASPCA Disaster Planning for Cats Download

Know Where You Can Go with Pets

Cat under umbrella in the rain
Image by준모 강 from Pixabay

Having a well-considered plan is key to disaster preparedness, especially with cats. Figure out now what room in your home you will hole up in if you are sheltering in place [2, 6]. Make sure you could close off all the exits and keep your cat in that space with you if necessary [2]. In case you need to send pets away for a while, find out which family, friends, and neighbors are able and willing to care for them [2, 3, 6, 10]. Also look for veterinary clinics, boarding facilities, and animal shelters that will house pets during emergencies [1-3, 6]. You can try asking your veterinarian for suggestions [3].

If you have to evacuate, always take your pets with you [2, 3]. If it isn’t safe for you, it isn’t safe for them [3]. That being said, a lot of places won’t allow you to stay with your pets, including a lot of Red Cross rescue shelters [3, 6, 8]. Keep a list of nearby hotels, motels, and shelters that allow cats [1-3, 6, 10]. If you think an evacuation might be coming, go ahead and make a reservation [1].

Resources for cat-friendly hotels:

Be Aware of Unusual Hazards

During and after a disaster, the environment is likely to be very different than your cat is used to. Familiar smells and landmarks may be gone [2, 6]. There can be all kinds of debris about as well as spilled chemicals and contaminated water [2, 6]. Wildlife can show up in strange places [6]. If your cat normally goes outside, don’t let them out there until you are sure it’s safe [2, 6]. Make sure you check your own space for unexpected hazards, too [2, 6]. Your cat may behave differently from all the stress [2, 6]. They may become more withdrawn or aggressive [2, 6]. Just be gracious with them. Cats love routine, so it helps a lot to get them back to their daily rhythms as soon as possible [9].

Sources

  1. Adams, B. W. (n.d.). Pet disaster preparedness. The Humane Society of the United States. https://www.humanesociety.org/resources/pet-disaster-preparedness
  2. American Humane. (n.d.). Pet disaster preparedness. https://www.americanhumane.org/fact-sheet/pet-disaster-preparedness/
  3. American Red Cross. (n.d.). Pet disaster preparedness. https://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/pet-disaster-preparedness.html
  4. American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. (n.d.). Disaster preparedness. https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/general-pet-care/disaster-preparedness
  5. American Veterinary Medical Association. (n.d.). Pets and disasters. https://www.avma.org/resources-tools/pet-owners/emergency-care/pets-and-disasters
  6. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022, September 14). Pet safety in emergencies. https://www.cdc.gov/healthypets/keeping-pets-and-people-healthy/emergencies.html
  7. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2023, January 31). Pet disaster preparedness kit. https://www.cdc.gov/healthypets/keeping-pets-and-people-healthy/emergencies/pet-disaster-prep-kit.html
  8. Department of Homeland Security. (2023, June 16). Prepare your pets for disasters. Ready. https://www.ready.gov/pets
  9. Galaxy, J. (2022, May 28). The cat emergency prep checklist. Jackson Galaxy. https://www.jacksongalaxy.com/blogs/news/the-cat-emergency-prep-checklist
  10. International Fund for Animal Welfare. (n.d.). Pet emergency kit plan: Be #disasterready. https://www.ifaw.org/campaigns/pet-emergency-preparedness-kit-plan

Published August 13th, 2023