Woman Went Blind After Her Cat Kissed Her

[Jazzy]

Hugs and kisses from pets are some of the best parts of owning a furry friend. Unfortunately, that wasn't the case for Janese Walters from Toledo, OH.

After contracting what she thought was pink eye, Walters went to the doctor, but no one could get to the bottom of her condition. She had lost vision in her left eye without warning or previous symptoms.

It wasn't until she told them about her pet cat that the root of her medical issue was discovered. Walters had something referred to as "cat scratch." According to Dr. Kris Brickman of the University of Toledo, 40 percent of cats carry a bacteria that can cause serious health issues in humans, but not other cats. "Anything that is exposed to the cat's mouth — including if you have a little scratch that the cat licks — that's how you get it," said Dr. Brickman.

"It can affect the eyes, because what it does is increases blood vessels that creates problems - called antinomies... It can also cause some liver problems and can get into the spinal fluids and create meningitis," the doctor added. To avoid getting the disease, he offers a simple solution: wash your hands after playing with your pet. "Don't let them lick any open wounds, and try not to get bit by any cat."

As for Walters, she doesn't love her cat any less. "I'm just lucky it didn't transfer to my other eye."

Source

Interesting and scary at the same time.

 

[Smiley]

I'll have to relay this to my mother. She has a habit of kissing her pet cats.

 

[DrLeftover]

And yet there was a thread recently celebrating how wonderful it is to have a cat, far superior to, say, a boyfriend.

I'd have to check, but I don't remember hearing of any woman that I've ever kissed going blind from it.

 

[death180]

So did they rid her of "cat scratch", or is she blind in one eye from now on?

 

[DrLeftover]

Every story I can find reads like it is permanent.

"Walters said doctors don't believe she'll ever be able to see out of her left eye again."
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/06/01/woman-goes-blind-cat-licks-her_n_7484124.html

More:
http://www.wtrf.com/story/29219317/woman-loses-vision-after-cat-licks-her

 

[Nebulous]

Crazy! Poor lady.

:catface: