Introduction from Michael (Admin): I feel that I have to introduce this article by Jo because it is a very complicated area and scientists write in a language which is not easily interpreted by non-scientists. In addition, studies are often a collation of information harvested from other studies and therefore they can compound inaccuracies or create confusion. In my opinion this whole area has become very confused and possibly misleading.
This study essentially is stating that there is an association between cat scratches and depression in the people who look after the cats. The association could be because depressed people are more likely to be scratched rather than the cat scratch causing the depression. That point is very important and needs to be made at the outset. The reason why a depressed person may be more likely to be scratched is because they might be more careless or perhaps have substance abuse problems causing careless handling of their cat(s).
Another interesting aspect of this study is that they appear to have debunked an association between toxoplasmosis and depression which has previously been written about quite a lot. To reiterate: they could not find an association between toxoplasmosis and depression. Also in multi-cat households the owner was less likely to be depressed.
What follows is Jo Singer’s article, to which I have added a few words:
A recent study (not the one I am writing about) performed on 1.3 million patients had showed a strong association between being bitten by a cat and the probability of being diagnosed with depression. The
authors had suggested that infection with cat parasite Toxoplasma could be a likely reason for this association.
The new study revealed that only the group that received cat scratches had a positive effect on depression. Cat biting and toxoplasmosis had no effect on the depression and the number of cats had a negative effect on depression.
The study found an absence of association between toxoplasmosis and depression and a five times stronger association with cat scratching than with cat biting which suggested that the pathogen responsible for mood disorders in animals-injured subjects is probably not the protozoon Toxoplasma gondii, but possibly another organism; the bacteria Bartonella henselae, the agent of cat-scratched disease.
Caveat: As stated an association between depressed people and cat scratches does not automatically mean scratches cause depression.
Bartonella henselae is another infectious zoonotic disease. It is caused by the gram-negative bacterial Bartonella henselae. This disease is commonly referred to as “cat scratch fever“, and is transmitted in cats through contact with flea feces. This bacterium is excreted through the fleas into the feces and is then deposited on the cat’s skin. As the cat grooms itself, he ingests the bacterium which then causes the infection in the cat.
Caveat: dogs can also cause cat scratch fever. This seriously complicates this discussion.
Bartonella symptoms in cats are generally muscle aches, swollen glands and a possible fever. Humans can contract the disease through a scratch or possibly a bite from a cat who is infected. The disease in humans is usually mild; however in some cases a Bartonella infection can become sufficiently serious to warrant a short hospitalization. It is children who are at a higher risk of contracting the disease since they are more likely to play with infected kittens who tend to scratch and bite.
Kitty guardians can reduce the risk of their cats becoming infected with Bartonella through the prudent use of a regular, safe flea prevention program that is recommended by veterinarians. With an easy and simple flea prevention program, you will not only help prevent your cats from contracting Bartonella, but, based on the conclusion that the study reached this may also serve to prevent depression which may be caused through contracting Bartonella.
It will be interesting to learn more about what further studies may reveal about the cause of mental illness. I sincerely hope there are no further associations between cats and mental illness since we all know that having a deep and loving bond with a kitty and our interactions with them often are more effective than psychotropic drugs and there are no negative side effects that are caused by the human-feline bond.
What are your reactions to the study? Tell us in a comment.
Exactly.
I am a believer that depression comes first and calamities come second.
I am in agreement with you Dee. You can probably tell that from my introduction. These studies can be dangerous because scientists want to publish studies which can drive then to lose objectivity. I sense that a depressed person could more easily become careless about his/her safety and wellbeing and therefore expose himself to the danger of being scratched more often than someone who is not depressed. If that is the case the study is pretty meaningless.
Interesting article.
I have dealt with cats for over 50 years. Some of my first ones were ferals, although we didn’t have a name for them then. I even carried home a baby bobcat as a child.
Scratches, gashes, and bites have always been a way of life. I’m covered with scars. Just a couple of years ago, I had to have a ring cut off one of my fingers to accommodate the swelling from a very deep cat bite.
Even today, I have to tackle some ferals that are trap shy so they can be TNR’d and am pretty bloody when I take them in.
All in all, I’ve never felt like doing my self in, throwing myself under a train, or sitting in a corner rocking.
I think that there may be something to an already depressed person that would evoke a cat scratch from a domesticated cat as opposed to the scratch causing the depression. Depressed people can, often, be aloof, irritable, and neglectful.
My vote is that the depressed person, in some way, caused the cat to scratch instead of the cat scratch causing any depression.
You are absolutely right, Jo, in that even allopathic practitioners (read: western, symptom-based treatment by those who’ve earned degrees and practice these disciplines) are increasingly realizing that cats, more than any other species, are healing to human beings through their loyal, loving companionship, the quality of their purrs, etc. I am always dismayed to know that there will be some very gullible and suggestible people out there who will believe negative press without bothering to learn that it is mostly, if not completely, baseless. The “study” you cite is one such source of misinformation, best filed in the “dustbin of history”.
I’ve had many cats in my lifetime, and have only been scratched a few times, which have been during playtime. Recently, I was scratched in a freak type situation. My cat was laying on my chest, and we were both relaxing before a nap. All of a sudden, she leaped up landing on my face, leaving some scratches and a small puncture wound on my forehead. She heard something that startled her.
I immediately washed my face, and put Neosporin on those areas. I’m aware that cat scratches can be dangerous. It seems like common sense when you consider that they use their paws to bury their poop.
I’ve known women who kiss their cat’s paws, which I’d never do. There are times when my cat touches my face affectionately, but I don’t let let her paws near my mouth.
Could it be that depressed people who have cats aren’t really aware enough to be good guardians, and may get scratched more often, and/or expose themselves to cat feces?
I know a mentally ill person who has two cats, and he only cleans their litter box once a week. It’s awful, and I wish he didn’t have the cats. But they’re his reason for living.
I’ve probably been scratched thousands of times and I admit I’m not exactly the BEST person when it comes to running to the sink and washing them off. For pete sakes it’s just a scratch.(Keeping in mind my 5 cats are totally indoors, do not have fleas and do not have to be treated with any flea treatments) Yep, I suffer from a bit of depression but uhhhhh….if I had to get rid of my cats, I’d probably be suicidal. So bring on the kitty scratches….mine never get infected (so how bad can they be? .. or I’ve developed an immunity to whatever germs they have lalalalalala) just kidding…I’m not a germophobe and we all know the monster we’ve created with all the anti bacterial soaps etc etc etc, so it certainly is a possibility. I’m probably one of the healthiest 66 year olds around…praise the Lord.