Raising a cat bring several issues. One big concern is how to prevent your pet’s scratching. Your cat may have the common scratch disease known as Bartonella. More than 20% of cats living in the US are prone to this disease. Cats acquire this condition by coming in contact with flea feces. Flea infestation and feces left on the skin of the cat can develop this disease. Symptoms include swollen glands, oral or corneal ulcers, fewer, diarrhea, inflammatory bowel disease, and muscle aches. A simple blood test is available to diagnose the disease. Keeping your cat free of fleas and ticks is essential to fight the disease. Kids and adults should not play rough with a cat during the treatment period and keep their nails groomed. So far, no vaccine is available to treat the condition.

Humans can acquire the condition by contact with an infected animal. Symptoms include fatigue, redness of the area of contact, loss of appetite, mild fever, chills, nausea and inflammation of eyelids. Keeping the wound area cleaned, bed rest, and further avoidance of contact with cats are essential to get rid of the disease. Keep your home and vehicles free of fleas and ticks to avoid the spread of the disease.