Please tell me my friend is overreacting (Cat Scratch Fever)

I don't know that it's cat scratch fever but people can get some serious infections from cat scratches. If it's still pretty painful I'd head to urgent care just to have someone take a quick look at it.

It wouldn't hurt to have a professional check for infection, but if it was cat scratch fever, you'd have other symptoms. Like a fever. You'd also feel pretty bad and most likely have swelling in the lymph nodes.

For some reason, I thought cats caused CSF because of their litter box habits, with fecal matter being caught under their claws infecting any scratches they made and the resulting infection could cause heart damage.

I would pay close attention to any scratches and if they became inflames, as yours have, I'd head to the dr or clinic.

Marcy

I would not run to my nearest emergency room but I would probably try and be seen at a clinic. Without knowing where it is on your foot, can you change shoes for a day or two to see if the redness goes away if it is not rubbing against something? If so, I would do that while continuing to keep it clean and protected and then evaluate. If it suddenly swells or the redness seems to spread I would head in without a second though.

I endured a very serious infection from a cat scratch when I was 10 (reason 812 why I am NOT a fan of cats) and had to have my hand lanced open in the ER to drain it. It was painful and disgusting.  I would most definitely have it checked out...even at a Minute Clinic at CVS or something.  You KNOW where cat feet have been and it's not pretty.

I'm sorry, I should have been more clear. I had that perception about the cause of CSF until I googled it. LOL That's when I realized I was wrong about the cause.

Still, if by inflamed you meant very swollen and red all around the wounds, I would have it checked. If you just meant a little raised and red on the scratch itself, I would wait. 

Sorry for the lack of clarity, I am having one of those days.

Marcy

I would keep an eye on it.
I had 2 cats, we had to put one down and then about a week later, the other cat had this sore at his hind end. Took him to the vet, it was an abscess. Asked how a house cat could get that and he wasn't sure. I think before we put the other cat down, he may have bit him or scratched him. Both were inside cats.

Hope it feels better soon!

a friend of mine had a cat bite that got infected overnight and required surgery-the infection was encapsulated in the joint.

cat scratches and bites are nothing to sneeze at-at the first sign of infection-I'd go to the doctor. things can turn ugly, very very quickly

I don't know that I would be freaking about cat scratch fever per se, but an infection-heck ya

I am one of the odd ones out again - I would have done what you did, washed it and thrown antibiotic cream on it. If I went to the doctor every time I got scratched, which I had some pretty darned good ones,I would be broke. I have several light scars from some scratches from many years ago - my cat I think believed I was a scratching post. My scratches always swell up red and puffy. I think we all have different physical reactions. I would keep it clean and watch it. If it were a bite, I would feel differently. My cat bit my dad, putting him in the hospital for nearly 2 weeks due to that bite. The cat had gotten into the backyard and a storm was coming so my dad was trying to bring him in and he wasn't a willing participant and bit my dad. The night before they were going to have to go in for surgery, his body began reacting positively to the meds. Cat bites are the worst. Despite the bite, my dad loved my cat and when I moved would not let me take him with me.

I hope that your scratches began a healthy itching soon so you know you are healing up. If the swelling increases or you have any of the other mentioned symptoms and excessive pain then you know to see a doc. I follow my instincts often. Dang kitty claws...

I will tell you my experience with it. My son was scratched by an indoor cat and ended up with cat scratch fever. To tell if the red spot was spreading, the nurse drew around the outside with a pen. If it went beyond that make in the next half hour, he was being admitted for intravenous antibiotics. It spread.

There were all kinds of other complications (allergy to the antibiotic, horrible reaction to the next antibiotic ect) but he did get better in a few days.

I'd have it checked.

Paul is so cute and furry. That's why he gets away w/being so naughty. Cats are great until they get aggressive. Then they're great, again. Our cats know how to play us. Hoping you're fine and this is nothing to worry about.

Paul is cute! (and me, personally? I'd just put some Neosporin on it, if that, and just let it heal. I've had cats for over 20 years, plenty of scratches, and never had any sort of a bad infection yet. My mom got bit once when the cat snuck outside and got freaked out by it; now that one needed a doctor. But 'regular' everyday scratches? I've never worried about them.)


eta: Paul looks a lot like our cat Ariel; she does the same sort of 'kitty-flop' thing! (she even sleeps like that occasionally; if she does, I'll check on her once or twice just to make sure she's breathing, lol!)

Last year, I tried to break up a cat fight, and guess who got caught in the middle.  Miles had taken a huge chunk out of my hand in about three places.  Ironically enough, I had my annual exam that afternoon and showed it to the NP, as it was pretty red and angry.  She basically told me to do the same thing you are doing, keep an eye on it and apply Neosporin.  Since they were my own cats, there was no chance of rabies or anything like that.  It lasted that way for about 3 or 4 days and then it calmed down and started healing.

Well, that weekend, I happened to go over to the in-laws.  Step MIL had a fit, just like your BFF.  She also was convinced I had Cat Scratch Fever, even though I told her I had already had someone look at it.

You should be fine.  Keep an eye on it, especially make sure the wounds are healing, with the diabetes.  But I agree that BFF is probably reacting.  Some one hears animal scratch (particularly a cat) and tend to think the worse.