Does the cat have your eye?

Cats are cute, especially kittens. Many people keep one or more cats as pets and let them sleep in their bedrooms at night. To paraphrase Clint Eastwood, you have to ask yourself: you feel lucky, well, right? You’re asleep in bed, lying on your side when your cat jumps up and a claw causes a 2-inch laceration to your left upper eyelid. The wound bleeds profusely and as he prepares to go to work, he notices purple discoloration and swelling of his eyelid. What is your job? It’s time to see a doctor.

the bacteriaBartonella henselae, lives in the gut of fleas and can remain viable in flea feces for several days. Fleas transmit this bacterium to domestic and stray cats worldwide.. Areas where fleas are endemic have higher rates of infested cats. A contaminated cat nail or bite can transmit this organism to humans causing cat scratch disease.

Most cat scratches are not serious and usually respond to symptomatic treatment by washing the wound with soap and water. However, cat scratch infection of the eyelid can rapidly progress to cellulitis around the eye, especially if the person is diabetic or immunocompromised, for example, HIV positive or alcoholic. Cat scratches can also infect the lymph nodes around the head and neck and also inside the eye.

For major scratches, or a scratch on the eyelid, treatment includes antibiotics: Zithromax, Azithromycin (Z-Pak) for 5 days, or rifampicin, doxycycline, or ciprofloxacin. A laceration involving the upper eyelid can cut the muscle that allows the eyelid to move up and down. Microsurgical treatment by an ophthalmologist may be needed to prevent drooping of the eyelid. Alternatively, if the wound does not involve the eyelid muscle, a plastic surgeon may be consulted about the need for sutures.

Clostridium tetani The spores that cause tetanus can be found in the soil and in the intestines and feces of cats and other household pets. Tetanus is usually acquired through a laceration or puncture of the skin. Therefore, in addition to antibiotics, a shot of the combined tetanus, diphtheria, and acellular pertussis (Tdap) vaccine is recommended for all adults 19 through 64 years of age, regardless of when the last tetanus vaccine was received. tetanus or diphtheria. It is especially important to get vaccinated if you have an infected wound. Cat lacerations are more likely to become infected than dog lacerations.

Flea collars are more effective on the cat’s head and neck than on the tail. Cat owners should be aware of the risk of flea infestation and be warned.