Doctors Think 68-Year-Old’s Painful Neck Boils Originated From His Cat

Sep 18, 2018

Your cat might be your best friend, but it could also be hurting your health. Many diseases are spread from animals to humans. From avian flu to rabies, pets can be a cause of major, life-threatening infections. One particular illness from a cat made an elderly man extremely ill.

The New England Journal of Medicine recently published a report about a gentleman from Missouri. After a trip to the doctor's office, the 68-year-old man discovered that his cat had made him ill.

The man's cat normally spent most of its time outside. Unfortunately, the extra outdoor time meant that the cat was interacting with dirty, dangerous items.

After the cat died, the man started to notice unusual symptoms.

After a few days, the man began to experience odd pains in his neck. Like most people, he dismissed the discomfort and tried to move on with his life. Before long, he started to notice lumps on his neck. Soon, he had another lump on his jawline. In total, he ended up with three lumps that kept growing in size. The man did not realize that the lumps were actually inflamed lymph nodes.

For a while, the man was not concerned about the lumps. When he started to develop a terrible fever, he finally went to the doctor.

After an exam and a few tests, the doctors diagnosed him with glandular tularemia. This condition was caused by bacteria known as Francisella tularensis. This specific bacterium is typically spread by small animals like rodents.

Normally, rabbit hunters are wary of this bacteria. They have to check the rabbit's liver for lesions and avoid hunting during the warmer months of the year. During the colder months, the bacteria are less common.

At first, the doctors were confused by the man's illness. He did not eat or hunt rabbits, so it seemed strange that he would become ill. After a few questions, they realized that the man's cat was responsible for the condition. Most likely, the cat had died from the bacteria. The man had caught the bacteria when he cared for his pet.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states a number of ways that you can become ill from this disease. Ticks, deer flies and contaminated animals can spread the disease. You can also catch it from inhaling airborne particles or drinking contaminated water.

To prevent the disease, avoid mowing over dead animals. Make sure to drink clean water and avoid insect bites. You should also inspect the liver of rabbits if you enjoy hunting.

Previously, the man in this story thought that his cat died from feline leukemia. His doctors believe that the cat was misdiagnosed. Because the man gave his cat medicine and cared for it, he ended up catching the disease. Luckily, this disease is rarely fatal. After taking some medication, the man eventually recovered.

Make sure that your family and friends know how to prevent this disease by telling them about this story.