{"id":20331,"date":"2025-07-24T13:08:13","date_gmt":"2025-07-24T13:08:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/20331\/"},"modified":"2025-07-24T13:08:13","modified_gmt":"2025-07-24T13:08:13","slug":"neurologist-warns-of-serious-issues-which-can-be-triggered-by-playing-with-cute-pet-owned-by-millions","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/20331\/","title":{"rendered":"Neurologist warns of serious issues which can be triggered by playing with cute pet owned by millions"},"content":{"rendered":"

A leading neurologist has issued an urgent warning over the little-known risks of cat scratches after a teenage girl was left unable to walk.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

Dr Baibing Chen, from the University of Michigan<\/a>, shared the warning on TikTok<\/a>, stating that cats can harbour dangerous bacteria that could pose a serious threat to owners.\u00a0<\/p>\n

In the video<\/a>, which\u00a0has been viewed over 124,000 times, he urged his followers to seek immediate medical attention if they experience any unusual symptoms after being scratched, bitten or even licked by a cat.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Speaking about the one thing he would ‘never ignore’, Dr Chen said:\u00a0\u00a0‘I once saw a teenage patient who developed sudden confusion, severe headaches and trouble walking.’\u00a0<\/p>\n

The patient also presented with extreme fatigue <\/a>and coordination issues, which her parents described as unusual.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The clinical instructor added:\u00a0\u00a0‘We also noticed a decrease in her vision in one eye. Further investigation showed it was inflammation of the optic nerve and the retina which explained her vision loss.’<\/p>\n

But doctors could not come up with a diagnosis that could explain her symptoms after ruling out the ‘usual suspects’ including stroke, meningitis and autoimmune disease\u2014all of which can cause neurological disturbances.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

‘It wasn’t until we noticed a few scratches on her arm that we asked about any recent injuries or exposures and that’s when her mother mentioned they had recently adopted a kitten.<\/p>\n

\"Dr <\/p>\n

Dr Chen said the one thing he does not ignore as a neurologist is symptoms after a seemingly harmless cat scratch\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"Cat <\/p>\n

Cat scratch disease is a bacteria infection passed on to humans through a scratch that is contaminated with flea feces\u00a0<\/p>\n

‘This detail was key leading to the confirmation of bartonella henselae infection\u2014the bacteria that causes cat scratch disease.’<\/p>\n

The disease can spread to humans through a scratch contaminated with flea feces\u2014most commonly from kittens.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Infected cats can also spread the bacteria by licking a person’s open wound.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Cat scratch disease most commonly affects children under the age of 15 who are less likely to wash their hands after interacting with their pet cat.\u00a0<\/p>\n

It’s estimated that there are approximately 12.5 million pet cats in the UK, with nearly 30 per cent of British households having at least one cat.\u00a0<\/p>\n

In the US,\u00a037 per cent of households have at least one cat. Figures estimate the US’ total cat population stands at\u00a073.8 million.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Dr Chen said: ‘Most people with this infection experience mild symptoms like swollen lymph nodes, fever and fatigue, but in rare cases this condition can affect the nervous system and eyes.’\u00a0<\/p>\n

Rarely, according to the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), this can develop into infections of the liver, spleen, brain, bones and even heart\u2014a condition known as endocarditis.<\/p>\n

\"Health <\/p>\n

Health officials revealed in June this year that grandmother Yvonne Ford, 59, contracted\u00a0 rabies following contact with a stray dog while on holiday abroad<\/p>\n

Your browser does not support iframes.<\/p>\n

Whilst most scratches do not result in CSD, Dr Chen said it’s best to stay vigilant and keep scratch wounds clean and keep an eye out for tell-tale symptoms including a fever, swollen lymph nodes and a pustule near the scratch.<\/p>\n

These more extreme reactions tend to occur in people with weakened immune systems, such as cancer patients, elderly people or those with HIV.\u00a0<\/p>\n

However, the risk of infection can be minimised through keeping cats indoors and away from stray cats who are more likely to carry diseases.\u00a0<\/p>\n

But, he said this does not mean you should stay away from your cat.\u00a0<\/p>\n

‘This case is a reminder that something as seemingly harmless as a playful scratch can in rare cases lead to serious health issues.<\/p>\n

‘The key here is awareness. If a scratch, bite or lick is followed by unusual symptoms like persistent headaches, vision changes or confusion sharing the detail with your doctor can make all the difference.’\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

The warning comes as Britain was rocked by fresh rabies fears<\/a> back in June, after a woman died after catching the virus on holiday in Morocco.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Health officials revealed that the grandmother, Yvonne Ford, 59, contracted the illness following contact with a stray dog.\u00a0<\/p>\n

There have been less than 10 cases of human rabies associated with animal exposures abroad reported in the UK since 2000.<\/p>\n

However, the UKHSA stressed there was ‘no risk to the wider public’ given there is ‘no documented evidence of rabies passing between people’.<\/p>\n