Warning to Cat Lovers: Cat Lick Can Cause Blindness

Everyone is fond of animals. We keep them as pets and treat them like family. They are our stress reliever in times of despair and they are our solid companions but what if they can be harmful to us too?

In the state of Ohio, a woman recently has lost her sight in her left eye after being licked by her cat, potentially transmitting a rare infection called, cat scratch disease (CSD). It is a bacterial infection spread by kittens and cats. She first thought that it is only a pink eye, but when the doctors diagnose her it is even more serious than what she suspects. Initially, the doctors are baffled for months by the condition, but as soon as she admits of having a cat, it all sums up to a conclusion making her cat as the main culprit behind it. 

Doctor Kris Brickman from University of Toledo, has stated that anything that is exposed to the cat's mouth - including if you have any scratch that the cat licks, that's how you are able to get the disease. In addition, he clarifies that cat scratch doesn't pose any health risk to cats, but it can to human and so it is advisable to wash the hands after playing with the cat. There are 40 percent of cats carrying the bacteria that leads to CSD.

Her condition is prior to be diagnosed but she hopes upon sharing her story would serve as a warning to take caution. It is not to fully suppress cats in our lives, they are loving animals that deserve love and a home.