Can I get sick from a dog scratch

What to Do If a Dog Scratches You

Many people know about cat scratch fever, but can a dog scratch be just as dangerous? Although you are less likely to contract severe illness from a dog scratch, there is still a possibility of it happening. If you are scratched by a dog, heres what you need to know.

Potential Infections Can Occur from a Dog Scratch

Dogs walk on all four feet and dig in whatever they can find, which means dog nail beds are very dirty. They can harbor all sorts of bacteria and fungi that can readily infect humans through broken skin, including tetanus. Dogs also lick their paws, transferring bacteria from the mouth onto the nails. This can, in rare cases, infect humans with MRSA or bacteria called Capnocytophaga if the scratch breaks the skin.

What About Rabies?

Can I get rabies from a dog scratch? is a popular online search. Even though it is highly unlikely that a human will contract rabies from an animal scratch, it can still happen. The virus that causes rabies is spread through contact with saliva or brain tissue from an animal infected with rabies, but it cannot penetrate unbroken skin. If a rabid dog with saliva-covered nails scratches a human, theoretically infection can occur; however, most dogs are vaccinated against rabies and are not at risk for infection. If your dog has had contact with a rabid animal, take additional precautions and seek veterinary care immediately.

How to Treat a Dog Scratch

Animal scratches may seem harmless, but they can turn into serious infections if the skin is broken. Puncture wounds may look the least serious, but they carry the highest risk of severe infection. If the scratch is bleeding heavily, apply pressure with a clean towel until the bleeding has stopped. Once the bleeding has subsided, wash the wound thoroughly with soap and water for three minutes. Clean and dry the skin, and then apply a small amount of antibiotic ointment and cover the wound with a bandage. Make sure to check the scratch for signs of infection, which include increased heat, redness, swelling, pain or red streaking on the skin. Monitor the wound for at least 72 hours, and if you experience any of those symptoms, seek the attention of a medical professional immediately.

WRITTEN BY

Sarah Wooten, DVM

Veterinarian

Dr. Sarah Wooten graduated from UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine in 2002. A member of the American Society of Veterinary Journalists,...

My Dog Got Scratched By A Cat. Should I Be Worried?

Despite our best efforts to keep our pets safe, accidents can happen. Getting scratched by a cat is sadly a common injury that can occur to even the most well-meaning dog. Fighting like cats and dogs is a well-known saying, and there is some truth to it.

From the cases I see brought into my clinic, the most common way a scratch injury occurs is through pets in the same household clashing. When in a confined space, your cat may feel threatened and be more inclined to lash out. If a cat in the street came across a dog, its first instinct is probably to run away, but this is not possible in a confined home environment.

Lets find out more about why injuries from cats happen and how to help your dog and cat get along and coexist peacefully.

Why Do Cats Scratch Dogs?

Generally, cats try to avoid confrontation where possible and seek refuge upstairs or in a different room, but if you notice your dog keeps approaching them, then they have no choice but to fire a warning shot. This usually comes in the form of a hiss, swat, or scratch. It doesnt matter if your pup is just being inquisitive or if they are acting aggressively. If your cat has had enough, then they may lash out.

Clashes are also likely to occur when neighboring cats enter your yard, especially if you have a territorial dog.

Can A Dog Get Sick From A Cat Scratch?

The most common place for a dog to get scratched is on their face, with eye injuries being particularly common in my experience. A scratch on the eye can damage the delicate cornea (the eyes surface). This could lead to an ulcer on the eye, which can be pretty sore. A puncture injury could occur, especially if a bit of claw becomes embedded in the eye. Eye injuries can be severe, mainly if treatment isnt started promptly. Always get your dog to a vet as soon as possible for suspected eye trauma.

Other scratches elsewhere on the body are likely to be superficial and usually heal well without too much intervention. But as with any wound, there is always the chance of infection if bacteria has been introduced via the cats claws. If your cat bites your dog, this is even more likely to result in a nasty abscess or an infection.

Can Dogs Catch Cat Scratch Fever?

Infection most commonly causes bartonellosis or cat scratch fever with a bacteria called Bartonella henselae. This bacteria is usually spread by parasites like fleas, ticks, and lice. These parasites suck the blood from an infected animal and then transmit it to the next animal that they bite. The bacteria is also found in the parasites feces (composed of digested blood).

If these infected parasite feces get into a skin wound on an uninfected animal, then the disease can be passed on in this way. This could happen if an infected cat with fleas scratched themselves, got flea dirt under their nails, and then lashed out and injured a dog. The risk of this happening is low but could potentially occur.

Not all dogs become sick if they contract Bartonellosis. Most are fine. For those that do, the symptoms of cat scratch fever include:

• Fever
• Weight loss
• Lethargy
• Joint pain
• Breathing issues
• Enlarged lymph nodes

Always seek help from a vet if you are concerned your dog is sick. Many of the symptoms of this illness are similar to those seen in other diseases, so it is best to get things checked out.

Could A Dog Get Rabies From A Cat Scratch?

Catching rabies from a cat scratching them is unlikely. The rabies virus is transmitted from the saliva of an infected animal, so the usual method of transmission is via bite injury. Technically, if a cat infected with rabies had been licking and grooming its paws, the infected saliva could remain as a residue on its nails. So, there is a small risk of rabies being transferred in this way, but it is not a common occurrence.

Assuming your dog has had his routine rabies shots, this significantly reduces the risk of contracting the disease, so you should always keep these up to date. If you have concerns that a rabid cat attacked your dog, then you should speak to a vet as soon as possible for advice.

What Can I Do If A Cat Scratched My Dog?

1. Stay Safe

First, try and stop the cat and dog fighting to prevent any further injuries. You must make sure you dont put yourself at risk by doing this. You could try and make a loud noise to distract them, like banging some pots together or whistling, or perhaps you could spray them with water. Most of the time, the cat just lashes out and then back off, so you may be able to just remove your dog from the area. If you do become injured yourself, make sure you get checked out by a doctor.

2. Check Your Dog For Injuries

The most common area I see dogs get scratched is their face. Look for any blood or wounds, and check to see whether he is holding his eyes open ok. If he is squinting or holding one shut, this could indicate an injury.

3. Call Your Veterinarian

Call your vet if you find a deep wound or an eye injury. Theymay want to examine your dog.

4. Follow Your Veterinarians Advice.

If your vet asks to see your dog, then bring him in as soon as possible. Eye injuries, in particular, need prompt treatment, or they could become even more severe. Your vet may suggest further treatments depending on the findings of their exam.

5. Find Ways Of Reducing The Risk Of Fights In The Future

If the fight was between your dog and a cat that also lives in your household, you might need to take steps to try and reduce the risk of it happening again. Things like ensuring your cat can get away from the dog if it wants, discouraging your dog from harassing the cat and providing calming pheromones to reduce stress can be helpful.

How Do I Treat For A Cat Scratch Wound?

The treatment advised for your pet depends on the location of their injury.

If your dogs eye is injured, then your vet looks at this closely. They may need to apply some local anesthetic drops to make things more comfortable while they check it out. A special dye called fluorescein can also be used to highlight any small scratches or ulcers on the surface of the eye. If a problem is found, your vet may prescribe painkillers and antibiotic eyedrops. More serious eye injuries could require surgery.

If your dog has sustained a deep skin wound, then your vet may clip the fur in that area so they clean the wound more effectively. If there are any signs of infection, your vet may suggest antibiotics, but most scratch wounds are superficial and wont need any medication.

Should your dog become sick following an injury from a cat, further tests such as blood samples might be recommended to rule out conditions like Bartonellosis. This is not standard, though, as most dogs dont become poorly with Bartonella infection.

Will My Dog Be Okay After A Cat Scratch?

Most dogs are fine following an attack from a cat, as most scratches are quite superficial. In my experience, stitches are rarely needed, and many wounds wont require antibiotics either. The best treatment tends to be bathing the wound to clean it with a dilute antiseptic and keeping an eye on the area in case any signs of infection or swelling occur.

Eye injuries can be a bit more serious depending on how badly the eye has been damaged. These should always be checked out by a vet so that they can determine the appropriate treatment. Many scratches to the cornea are very small and could heal within a few days to a week with appropriate medications like antibiotic eye drops. It is important to note that complications are much more likely if there is a delay in treatment. I have seen some very severe eye cases, which could have been avoided if treatment was started sooner.

In very rare cases, a dogs eye can become punctured during a fight or even for the cats claw to be shed and remain stuck in the eye itself. These injuries are serious and may even need advice from a veterinary ophthalmologist (a veterinarian who specializes in eyes). Deeper wounds like this may cause permanent scarring or damage to the surface of the eye, particularly in young puppies.

Can I Stop My Cat From Attacking My Dog?

Most fights seen are between household pets. So if it is your own cat that has scratched your dog you may want to take some measures to reduce the chances of it happening again.

• I always advise owners to make sure that your cat has escape routes from the dog. Examples include stair gates they can squeeze through to get to areas of the house that the dog cant or cat flaps to get outside.
• Make sure your cats food, water, and litter trays are out of the reach of your dog to avoid areas of potential conflict and fighting.
• Puppies are more at risk of getting scratched as they havent learned proper social cues yet and are more likely to pester the cat due to their inquisitive and playful nature. They also arent very good at blinking to protect their eyes from danger which is why I have seen many young pups with eye injuries over the years. Most of these cases have done well with appropriate treatment, but permanent scarring can sometimes occur. This is why you should always supervise your puppy when he is interacting with the cat to reduce the risk of an accident happening.
• If your cat is generally stressed by a dog being in the house, then a plug-in calmingpheromone diffuser could be useful.
• Seek advice from a qualified animal behaviorist if you are continuing to have problems.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I Take My Dog To The Vet For A Cat Scratch?

If your dog only has superficial scratches on his skin, you could clean these and keep an eye on them. Any signs of swelling, redness, or discharge could indicate infection occurring, and a trip to the vet is needed. Eye injuries are different and should always be promptly checked out by your vet.

What To Do If Your Dogs Eye Is Scratched?

Always get your dog checked out by a vet if you suspect his eye has been scratched. Even if you cant see much, your vet may be able to detect small scratches or ulcers on the cornea using a special dye. Left untreated these could become worse over time and could lead to serious problems.

Can A Dog Get Bartonella From A Cat Scratch?

While it is possible for a dog to contract Bartonella from a cat, it is very unlikely. Bartonella is more commonly seen in people injured by cats than it is in dogs. However, if your pup seems unwell following an injury from a cat, then it is always best to get them checked out.

Final Thoughts

Most injuries from a cats claws tend to be superficial, and the majority of dogs survive without a scratch. But eye injuries have the potential to be a bit more serious. Always get your dog checked over by a vet if you are worried about what you see, especially if there are alarming symptoms. Try and reduce future fights by giving your cat areas he can escape from the dog and supervising young puppies closely.