Cat-scratch fever is a bacterial zoonotic disease most commonly caused by the bacteria Bartonella henselae. In the majority of cases, the pathogens enter the body as a consequence of a scratch by young cats. The disease usually presents as local lymphadenopathy and resolves spontaneously over a period of 8–12 weeks. The epidemiological status of bartonellosis in Poland varies. According to the latest epidemiological data, a total of 36 cases of the disease were reported in 2008, with 75% of cases requiring hospitalisation. The clinical presentation of cat-scratch fever is often non-specific, so a wide panel of tests is required to rule out other diseases that may be accompanied by local lymphadenopathy. The disease is usually mild and selflimiting, but some patients may require antibiotic therapy. The case reported here shows that a thorough evaluation of medical history plays a key role in the diagnostic process, providing a rapid and accurate preliminary diagnosis.