When should I worry about a cat scratch?

When should I worry about a cat scratch?

The disease spreads when an infected cat licks a person's open wound, or bites or scratches a person hard enough to break the surface of the skin. About three to 14 days after the skin is broken, a mild infection can occur at the site of the scratch or bite.

Do indoor cats carry tetanus?

Although tetanus can be seen in dogs and cats, it is uncommon in both species. Dogs and cats are less susceptible to the effects of tetanus toxin than humans and horses.

Can cat scratches make you sick?

Cat scratch disease is a bacterial infection that a person can get after being scratched, licked, or bitten by a cat or kitten. … Bartonella henselae, the bacteria that cause this disease, live in infected cats' saliva but don't make the animals sick. In fact, kittens or cats may carry the bacteria for months.