Many cat lovers do not suspect that their pets are carriers of extremely dangerous diseases. It really is. The common diseases of cats and humans is, alas, not a myth, but a harsh reality. These animals occupy a special step in our life. The cat sleeps with the person, is constantly in his arms, shares with the owner not only a common chair or sofa, but sometimes a sandwich. We kiss our pets, stroke them, and it never even occurs to anyone to wash their hands after talking with their home Barsik. But in vain!
So what can you get from a cat? The list of troubles is quite large, let us consider it more closely.
What "surprises" can you get from a cat?
All diseases of the "cat" family can be divided into several types:
- bacterial;
- infectious;
- viral;
- parasitic;
- fungal.
Please note: the most common source of infection is an animal that spends a long time outside the home and in contact with other representatives of the animal world.
So what can you catch from a cat? The list is actually not small:
- worms;
- rabies;
- chlamydia
- toxoplasmosis;
- acute gastroenteritis (campylobacteriosis);
- tuberculosis;
- salmonella;
- tularemia and others.
Some of these diseases are treated quite quickly and do not cause particular suffering to either an animal or a person. Others, on the contrary, are very dangerous and can even be fatal for both. So let's talk in more detail about what you can get from a cat.
Rabies
This is one of the most dangerous diseases. It is caused by a neurotropic virus and leads exclusively to death. Can I get rabies from a cat? Of course yes! Infection is possible through the saliva of a sick animal, with a bite, through abrasions or scratches on the skin or mucous membranes.
A sick animal shows strong aggression, it has spasms of the muscles of the pharynx, paralysis of the extremities, light and water phobia. There is practically no cure. If the animal is already sick, it will certainly die. A person’s life can be saved. To do this, in the first 72 hours after the bite, a special rabies serum should be introduced. If time is missed, and there are clinical signs of the disease, treatment is likely to produce no result.
Ringworm
Is it possible to get deprived of a cat from a cat? The answer is unequivocal: yes. There are about 18 types of pathogenic fungus that can cause dermatosis in an animal. The most common among them are microsporia and trichophytosis.
The disease manifests itself in the form of rounded bald patches on the skin of an animal. Typically, lesions are located on the ears or muzzle, but can also spread throughout the body. Most often, sore spots have a reddish tint and flaky, the animal constantly itches. In case of infection with trichophytosis, abundant discharge and the formation of white-gray crusts at the wound site are additionally observed.
Correctly determine the type of disease can only be a doctor. For this, laboratory studies of the "plucking" of wool are carried out on the border of healthy and affected skin. Such a disease is transmitted very quickly between individuals, as well as from a cat to a person. To protect your pet (and yourself) from such misfortune, it is best to vaccinate the cat.
Helminths
But what about worms in cats? The symptoms and treatment of this disease are familiar to anyone who has at least once dealt with yard representatives of the cat world. In the body of an animal (and humans), helminths can be anywhere. But most often they affect the stomach and intestines. The most common are round, flat and ribbon worms.
So, worms in cats. Symptoms and treatment, as you understand, are interconnected. Most helminthiases are asymptomatic, so diagnosis and treatment can be very difficult. Assume the presence of helminthic invasion in such cases:
- the animal has unstable stools, sometimes with blood;
- the cat’s stomach is bloated, full of gas;
- the cat became inexplicably lethargic;
- the animal lost weight for no apparent reason;
- the cat's hair became brittle and very dull.
Even if the cat never left the house, you have no reason to exclude the presence of worms. Beetles, flies and other insects swallowed during the hunt, raw fish, meat, especially pork, can be a source of infection. Also, parasitic eggs could accidentally be brought on the shoe by the owner, without suspecting it.
Since a person can easily become infected with helminths from a pet, the prevention of helminthic invasion should not be neglected.
Toxoplasmosis
And what infectious diseases of cats that are transmitted to humans are known to you? Surely you've heard at least once about such a terrible disease as toxoplasmosis. The causative agent is a parasite called Toxoplazma gondii, accidentally ingested in an animal or human body. The manifestations of this serious illness are very diverse:
- respiratory system disorders;
- severe emaciation;
- upset stomach and intestines;
- temperature rise;
- spontaneous abortion;
- chorioretinitis - eye damage.
In animals, this disease most often does not manifest itself in any way, so it is almost impossible to notice it yourself. For diagnosis, the PCR method is used, a flush from the rectum of the animal is performed.
Attention! The causative agent of toxoplasmosis is extremely dangerous for pregnant women, so if you have an animal in your house (even healthy at first glance), be sure to take it to the veterinarian. Better yet, minimize this communication.
Chlamydia
Few people know, but getting infected with chlamydia from a cat is easier for a person than a lung. After all, this disease is transmitted by airborne droplets. Chlamydia is a very contagious disease, it is especially dangerous for pregnant women. Run to the veterinarian immediately if you notice such symptoms in your pet:
- refusal of food or a sharp decrease in appetite;
- discharge from the nose or eyes, conjunctivitis;
- fever;
- weakness;
- labored breathing.
If you stop the development of the disease at the very beginning, everything will end well. In the case when the doctor’s help is late, even the death of the animal is not ruled out.
Campylobacteriosis
This disease is most often affected by kittens and young individuals. Acute gastroenteritis is easily transmitted to a person at the time of care for a sick pet. There is diarrhea, vomiting, sometimes with blood, fever, weakness and acute pain in the abdomen. It is noteworthy that these symptoms are common to both the animal and the host.
Most often, the disease does not require special treatment and goes away on its own after a few days. However, in severe cases, specialist intervention is required.
Aujeszky's disease
This disease is also called feline herpes and is accompanied by paralysis or paresis, as well as skin reactions and edema. In animals, coordination of movements may be impaired, aggressive behavior may be observed. Cats experience severe itching, so they constantly rub their paws on their neck and face, and lick their limbs. The disease does not last long, very soon the death of the animal.
A person can become infected through mucosal defects or scratches if saliva, urine, milk, or discharge from the eyes or nose of a sick animal gets there. True, this happens extremely rarely. The cats themselves become infected by eating a sick mouse or rat, which are carriers of this virus.
Tuberculosis
This is a very dangerous infectious disease, relevant for many species of animals. It is difficult to say who infects whom, since both the person and the cat are susceptible to the same pathogen.
If your pet has become inexplicably lethargic, shows inconsistency in appetite, grows thin, constantly coughs and sneezes - there is a reason to consult a doctor. One of the characteristic signs of tuberculosis is the formation of specific nodules in the neck and head of the animal.
In fairness, it is worth noting that tuberculosis in cats is very rare.
Salmonellosis
Most often, both the cat and the owner become infected with this disease at the same time. This happens at the time of eating infected products. For example, the owner himself drank the infected milk and treated them to a cat. But sometimes a person can become infected by an animal, especially if hygiene rules are not followed.
In cats, the disease can occur as follows:
- gastroenteritis;
- stomach ache;
- heat;
- conjunctivitis;
- pneumonia, shortness of breath.
For humans, salmonellosis is very dangerous. In the initial stage, the disease manifests itself with the same symptoms that are characteristic of cats. In the second phase, symptoms of severe intoxication join them. The third phase is septic. She is the heaviest. The patient has a frequent and sharp change in temperature, fever, chills, profuse sweating. Meningitis, osteomyelitis, cholecystocholangitis, arthritis, endocarditis and many other diseases can develop. If treatment is not started on time, the consequences can be dire.
Tularemia
And this is another disease common to cats and their owners. The infection is bacterial in nature. Even the clinical picture is the same in representatives of the animal world and man.
Infection is possible through the stomach or intestines, mucous membranes of the respiratory tract or eyes. After infection, bacteria enter the lymphatic system and cause the development of primary and then secondary lymphadenitis. Diagnosis of the disease is possible only in laboratory conditions. So the tests will have to pass both the owner and the pet.
Listeriosis
Another disease that is very dangerous for pregnant women. Its main peddler can be a variety of rodents and birds with which your pet actively "communicates" on the street. Listeriosis cancers and parrots can be sick, and the pathogen (Listeria monocytogenes) can be found in poorly processed fish and seafood.
Listeria enter the body mainly through the mouth along with contaminated food (mouse or bird). Possible infection through water or through air, through mucous membranes or wounds (when scratched).
The main external sign can be considered a defeat of the central nervous system, impaired coordination. An increase in temperature, swelling of the lymph nodes, and damage to the lymph vessels can be observed. Symptoms in animals and humans are very similar. Diagnosis is laboratory.
Simple rules for those who have a cat
To avoid all sorts of diseases, you just need to follow a few simple rules:
- always remember hygiene, wash your hands after each contact with the animal, especially outdoors;
- never forget to wash your hands with soap and water after handling a cat tray or bowl;
- as soon as the animal has appeared in your house, take the time to visit the veterinarian and do not spare money for a comprehensive examination;
- Get regular vaccinations for your animal.
- Do not forget to carry out preventive measures against worms (yourself, the animal and other family members);
- try to wean the cat to hunt rodents;
- feed your animal only with quality products;
- If you or the animal do not feel well, immediately consult a doctor.
Now you know how to catch a cat and how to avoid such a nuisance. Health to you and your pets!