Diseases transmitted from cats to humans


Our cat can transmit various diseases, both to people and to other pets they live with. Let’s see what the diseases transmitted from cat to man.

The transmission of diseases from animals to humans is called zoonosis. It is very important to be aware of any abnormalities in the health and behavior of our pets.

Even the cat, who has the opportunity to leave the house, can have diseases. The diseases transmitted by cats to humans or other domestic animals with which they share the spaces are many. Recognizing them and knowing how to identify their symptoms is essential to act quickly and understand when to go to the vet.


Diseases transmitted from cats to humans

Where the normal veterinary visits are not carried out, which include the vaccination of the cat and the deworming of the same feline, it becomes easy for the cat to transmit certain diseases to humans. Being able to transmit certain diseases to people when they come in contact with cat feces, saliva, urine, hair or scratches, it is always best to give them good care.

Because when they are not cared for properly, they can be a reservoir for some parasites, fungi, bacteria and viruses. In order to avoid disease and maintain the health of your evaluation pet, it is important to take him to the vet at least once a yearso that he is evaluated, vaccinated and dewormed.

It will be necessary to adopt some good habits to avoid the most common health problems that can be caused by these animals.

Some examples are: taking care of it, offering a quiet place, clean water and dry cat food, because it is the most adequate and complete food, which helps to keep the cat free from disease, thus reducing the risk that you and your cat. your family are infected with any disease. The diseases that the cat basically spreads in its human family are the ones that we will explain in the next paragraphs.

1. Respiratory allergy

A major cause of respiratory allergy, triggering a range of symptoms such as sneezing, swollen eyelids, breathing problems, and even asthma in some people, is cat hair. Experts advise people who have a cat allergy to avoid contact and not have them at home, or to adopt a non-allergic breed. Although it is not a feline-borne disease, it is caused by them.

2. Parasites

The most common parasites in cats are intestinal worms, amoebae, tapeworms or tapeworms, pinworms, hysterics and giardia. These parasites are insects that live in the cat’s body, because this is the only way they can survive. These include giardia, which produces a disease called giardiasis. This parasite feeds on the intestine of the animal and if left untreated it can destroy the intestinal flora of the cat. Among the symptoms the obvious ones are:

  • tiredness;
  • abdominal pain;
  • vomiting and diarrhea.

3. Campylobacteriosis

This disease is transmitted by campylobacter, a bacterium, when the cat becomes a carrier of bacteria, it is transmitted to humans, through contact with the cat’s feces. Among the symptoms we recognize:

  • fever;
  • acute enteritis;
  • abdominal pain.

4. Scabies

Scabies is another disease that cats pass on to people. It is caused by a mite called sarcopto scabei and manifests itself through the following symptoms:

  • small furrows in the skin with intense itching.

5. Ringworm

Ringworm in cats is a skin infection caused by parasites called dermatophytes, the transmission of ringworm to humans is very simple, children are those most at risk. It is necessary to treat the cat with ringworm and avoid contact with it until it is completely healed.

Ringworm infected cats have fungi in their fur that are transmitted by spores and only detectable under a microscope. Diffusion occurs by direct or aerial contact, when spaces are shared with a sick animal.

The symptoms are:

  • flaky skin,
  • redness;
  • inflammation;
  • lack of hair in the affected area.

6. Anger

It is one of the diseases that dogs and cats transmit when they bite or scratch a human, causing the virus to enter the body through the open wound. This disease is caused by the Rhabdoviruses virus and can be fatal for the cat. It is transmitted from the unvaccinated cat and the symptoms of rabies in humans are:

  • episodes of excessive euphoria and anger;
  • hyperactivity;
  • excitement;
  • hydrophobia and aerophobia;
  • gradual muscle paralysis;
  • cardiorespiratory arrest.

7. Toxoplasmosis

Toxoplasmosis in cats is another of the diseases that the feline most frequently transmits. The disease is caused by the Toxoplasma gondii parasite, which is spread all over the world. Infection is caused by direct contact with the infected animal’s feces, or by eating undercooked meat, such as pork.

It mainly affects people with low defenses or who, due to certain circumstances, are weaker at the immunological level, such as children, the elderly, pregnant women. The common symptoms when the disease is not asymptomatic are:

  • fever;
  • unjustified fatigue;
  • swollen glands;
  • muscular pain;
  • skin rashes.

8. Hookworm

Hookworm is a disease caused by the parasite Ancylostoma duodenale or Necator americanus that penetrates the person’s skin. The cat transmits it to humans due to contact with infested feces and penetration through the skin.

It is essential that the animal is vaccinated and that it goes to the vet at least once a year, in order to keep its health under control and guarantee the cat a healthy life. Among the symptoms we recognize the following:

  • hepatic bleeding;
  • anemia;
  • loss of appetite and fatigue.
  • cough;
  • fever.

9. Sporotrichosis

Sporotrichosis is caused by a fungus called Sporothrix schenckii. This disease can be transmitted through the bite or scratch of an infected cat.

In order to avoid contagion, humans must keep away from injured animals and the cat must be treated with very thick rubber gloves, as well as following all the treatments indicated by the veterinarian to save the feline’s life. Where the person has been scratched or bitten by the cat, he should go to the doctor for the most appropriate treatment.

10. Lyme disease

This disease is transmitted by ticks and cats can pass it on to humans. The tick that transmits Lyme disease carries a bacterium belonging to the genus Borrelia. In the first stage of the disease it is possible to notice certain symptoms and subsequently others more serious appear. These are:

  • skin rashes;
  • fever;
  • chills;
  • fatigue;
  • headache.

Subsequently in the second phase, the following will appear:

  • heart problems;
  • meningitis;
  • facial paralysis;
  • hallucinations.

11. Toxocariasis

Toxocariasis is an infection caused by a parasite that affects the cat, Toxocara cati. This infection is called visceral larva migrans syndrome when it affects humans. This disease is transmitted by ingesting the eggs of this parasite present in the feces of the infected cat.

Since Toxocara cati is inadequately adapted to the human organism, the parasite travels to various regions of the organism and therefore can affect the intestine, liver, heart or lungs, causing a series of complications in the person, in fact it is a disease how dangerous. Symptoms include the following:

  • swelling of the liver;
  • fever;
  • swollen lymph nodes.

Prevention

With simple and specific recommendations it is often easy to prevent many diseases. What is important to know that any cat without veterinary care can be a carrier of these diseases and consequently put ourselves in danger. That’s why we thought we’d recommend a few small tips :

  • Vaccination of the cat against the main diseases.
  • Take your cat for a general medical check -up twice a year.
  • Do not share food with your cat or kiss him on the mouth .
  • Keep the spaces clean where the cat sleeps and plays .
  • Check the cat’s fur to free it from fleas, ticks.
  • Prevent the cat from coming into contact with stray animals.
  • Wash your hands with soap and water after stroking the pet and cleaning the cat litter box.
  • Prevent young children from touching cat feces or cleaning the litter box.

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