Nature, Red In Tooth And Claw: Common Injuries From Cat Fights
Posted on: 12 January 2016
Although cats are been domesticated for thousands of years, within their breast, a savage heart still beats. Territorial by nature, they have little aversion to engage in vicious battles with other cats. Competing for the attention of a female cat in estrus will also leave many intact males battered and bloodied.
While many of these injuries are not serious or life threatening, complication from some fighting injuries can affect the health of both a cat and its owner.
Infections from cat fighting injuries.
Cat Scratch Disease
This is commonly called Cat Scratch Fever in humans, and is one of the few zoonotic (able to be transmitted from animals to humans) diseases that can infect cats as well as their owners.
Bacterial in nature, cat scratch disease can be transmitted between cats by fighting or by contact with infected fleas or flea droppings. It can then be contracted by humans through a cat scratch.
While cat scratch disease in cats will usually go away on its own, it has the potential to affect the heart and other organs. However, serious complications are rare.
Human infections are also usually mild, with low grade fever, fatigue, and swollen lymph nodes as the most common symptoms. However, serious but rare complications such as encephalitic infections of the brain and infection of the bones can result in death or amputations.
Abscesses
Abscesses are bacterial infections that occur just under the surface of the skin. They can be caused by scratches or bites from fighting and result in a painful swelling. While abscesses are generally not life-threatening unless an infection would become systemic, they can be painful and require a trip to the animal hospital.
The abscess will then be drained of fluids and possibly treated with antibiotics.
Torn claws
A cat can return from combat with a torn or missing claw. While a single claw missing or misshapen claw is painful, it is usually not a cause for concern.
However, the pet should be watched for signs of infection if the claw has been ripped away and an open wound is present. Excessive bleeding or fluids such as pus may require a trip to the vet to have the wound examined.
If your cat has several misshapen or missing claws, or excessive swelling around the claw area of the paw, it is not usually the result of fighting, but rather a symptom of a bacterial or fungal infection that should be treated as soon as possible.
To find more information, contact an animal hospital in your area.
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