Cat scratch fever:- What to do?
Inappropriate cat scratching or cat scratch fever is what cat owners hate. It can be very frustrating for cat owners if your cat is scratching your new couch to pieces. There are a lot of easy strategies you can use to prevent this.Some cats love to scratch. Scratching for cats is a natural habit designed to sharpen their claws. Scratching also helps cats strengthen and stretch their muscles. Another benefit of stretching for cats is enjoyment, many cats love to scratch, but what do you do if your cat’s scratching is not enjoyable to you?
There are several strategies you can use to prevent inappropriate cat scratching. One of the first things people try is to offer your cat a scratching post. These scratching posts are available in most pet stores and are usually make of rope or carpet. You should place this scratching post in an area where you don’t want your cat to scratch, like the corner of a couch.
By placing the scratching post directly in front of the area of where your cat was scratching should effectively stop them from scratching that area. But what about other areas? What if you cat continues to keep scratching?
An easy way out of the cat scratching problem is to just cover your furniture, but who wants to live like that?
A great product on the market is called Soft Claws. This product is basically a soft cover to go over each of your cat’s nails so when they do scratch they don’t damage the furniture.
There are many great and easy solutions to cat behavior problems; you just need to look for the right resources.
A word about cat scratch disease
According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC) about 40% of cats carry the Cat Scratch Disease (CSD) at some point in their lives. Bacteria known as Bartonella henselae cause CSD. Kittens are most likely to carry these bacteria and can pass it on to people through bites and, more commonly, scratches.There is little cause for alarm though because the likelihood of contracting the disease and it being very serious is slim. An estimated 2.5 cases per 100,000 people in the U.S. per year contract it. Those with poor immune systems are at the greatest risk for complications.
Usually, the site of the scratch will show signs of infection such as redness, swelling, and pus. Some other symptoms of CSD that will show up within 2 weeks of the scratch can include: swollen lymph nodes, a mild fever, fatigue, and a poor appetite. Healthy people that contract CSD don't usually require treatment, as it will resolve itself in time.
Doctors may diagnose CSD after exhausting several other tests because CSD can take on identifying symptoms of other illnesses.
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