9 diseases that are dangerous to humans and carried by cats

Cats are among the most common pets. People are attracted to their intelligence, beauty and sociability. A loving owner does everything to ensure that his cat lives in comfortable conditions. In response, the mustachioed friend gives the person all his love and affection.

Unfortunately, there are also less pleasant consequences of dealing with mustaches. We are talking about cat diseases that can be transmitted to people. Each family member should understand this and carefully monitor the health of the pet in order to prevent unpleasant cases of infection.

Cat diseases dangerous to humans

Veterinarians and experienced felinologists constantly conduct seminars to explain to owners the risks of zooanthroponotic pathologies and the need to prevent infectious diseases contagious to humans, but there are still many myths about the exaggerated danger of cats for humans.

There is a high risk of people developing the following diseases:

rabies;
ringworm;
helminthic infestation.

Separately, it is worth explaining the situation with chlamydia and tuberculosis. Cats, like people, can suffer from this pathology, but the routes of infection differ among species. The structure of the immune system also differs.

Homo sapiens are more susceptible to some infections, cats are more susceptible to others.

For example, tuberculosis occurs more often and in a more severe form in humans, and cats do not tolerate toxoplasmosis well, which is asymptomatic in humans. And only rabies and lichen cause the same pattern of damage in both species.

Pasteurellosis

Pasteurellosis is an infectious disease of many species of animals and also humans, caused by Pasteurella multocida (there are 5 more species), and manifested by inflammatory and hemorrhagic processes in the internal organs, serous, mucous membranes and skin, as well as septicemia. The disease is relatively rare. Cats, as carriers of Pasteurella, can infect humans through bites and scratches.

At the site of entry of the pathogen (damaged area of skin), swelling and pain appear, blisters form, and extensive edema (skin form) may develop.

Multiplying at the site of penetration, pasteurella enters the blood and lymph, affects capillaries and causes inflammatory and degenerative processes in the internal organs and musculoskeletal system.

This disease is extremely rare, is well diagnosed and treated quite well and successfully.

Danger of scratches

A person can become infected from a cat with a rare form of fever - felinosis. Its causative agents, Bartonella henselae and Bartonella quintana, enter the body through scratches on the skin and are found in saliva, urine, and on the paws and claws of the animal.

Redness and papules appear on the affected areas. Most often, the disease is asymptomatic; in rare cases, inflammation of the lymph nodes and fever occurs, and sometimes conjunctivitis develops.

If the disease has a mild form, then usually the person’s immune system copes with the infection itself. In case of complications, adequate and timely treatment (erythromycin, tetracycline) leads to rapid recovery.

There will be no re-infection; a person will develop a strong immunity.

It is almost impossible to determine whether a cat is a carrier of Bartonella. Externally, the pathology manifests itself in the form of a slight decrease in activity and enlargement of the lymph nodes.

At-risk groups

In fact, the risk of transmission of infection from a cat to a person is not very high. This is due to the fact that a pet that is constantly at home does not come into contact with other infected animals. It's another matter if the cat has access to the street. In this case, the risk of contracting a dangerous disease and transmitting it to the owner is quite high.

According to statistics, more than 80% of cases of human infection from a pet occur provided that the pet has free access to the street.

It often happens that owners take their cats, who live with them in the apartment, to the country, to nature, or on tourist trips. This also increases the risk of infection for your pets.

The routes of transmission of infection from cats to humans are very diverse. This can happen through a bite, scratches, or saliva. Infection often occurs through contact with pet feces or fur. To a large extent, the routes of infection depend on the specific disease.

It is worth noting that the owner cannot always become infected, even if his pet has all the signs of a disease transmitted from cat to person. This is due to the fact that those with reduced or unformed immunity are most susceptible to infection. Thus, the risk group for zooanthroponoses includes:

elderly people;
children, especially newborns and infants;
The immunity of young children is not yet fully developed, so they can easily catch an infection from an animal
patients suffering from chronic diseases;
persons with immunodeficiency syndrome;
cancer patients receiving chemotherapy;
patients suffering from autoimmune diseases and taking medications to suppress unwanted immune reactions.

Worm infestation

Young children are most at risk.

Not all types of helminths are dangerous. Diseases that can develop in humans when infected with parasites from a cat:

toxacarosis (roundworm);
dipylidia (cucumber tapeworm);
echinococcosis.

Symptoms of the disease:

dyspeptic symptoms;
diarrhea;
pain in the intestines and stomach;
rashes on the body;
loss of appetite, apathy;
cough and fever.

Infection can occur through saliva or feces of a sick cat.

Signs of parasite infection in pets and humans have a common picture. But the animal usually quickly acquires an unsightly appearance (dull, oily coat) and loses weight.

In order to prevent infection, it is necessary to take preventive measures in a timely manner.

If the disease has already occurred, you should immediately seek medical help. In its most severe form, a person experiences echinococcosis, which without proper treatment can cause internal bleeding. With proper and timely treatment, complete recovery occurs.

Tuberculosis

Tuberculosis most often affects cats that eat waste and contaminated food. The disease is rare among animals, but is often transmitted to people through contact with a sick pet.

The main signs of tuberculosis in cats are as follows::

Abrupt change of petite;
Constant lethargy and drowsiness;
Rapid weight loss;
Cough and sneezing;
Stomach upsets.

To avoid contracting the disease, a person needs to maintain personal hygiene and monitor their diet and the diet of their pet.

Ringworm

This is a highly contagious disease. Domestic cats are at risk of catching it from stray animals. A person can become infected simply by petting a sick pet.

The pathogens - Microsporon, Trichophyton - are anthropozoonotic, that is, common to both.

When affected by this fungal infection, redness, peeling, and purulent lesions usually form on the skin of the hands, head and face. Without timely treatment, the affected area grows and hair loss occurs.

A person can bring the fungus into the house on their shoes or hands if they pet a sick street cat.

It is often difficult to determine who the primary and secondary sources of infestation are in a home. Cats, due to their healthy immunity, sometimes act as carriers of ringworm without contracting it themselves.

This fungal infection requires long and persistent treatment. At the first signs of infection, you should immediately contact a specialist.

Modern diagnostic methods make it possible to immediately identify the pathogen and begin active therapy. The prognosis is favorable, lichen is completely cured. To prevent infection of pets and people, preventive measures must be followed.

Rabies

This is one of the most terrible diseases in the world, as it is incurable. The only way to protect yourself is to regularly vaccinate domestic and stray animals.

The rabies virus is contained in the saliva of a sick animal. It is transmitted by a bite or contact with scratches and microcracks in the skin.

The disease in humans occurs in two forms. Can be paralytic and violent. If you suspect infection, you must immediately contact a medical facility and undergo a course of vaccinations. Success depends on timely treatment - immediately after the bite.

There are three forms in cats - atypical, violent and hidden.

Symptoms of rabies in a cat:

unusual animal behavior;
refusal of food and water;
vomiting and diarrhea;
hydrophobia and photophobia;
desire for isolation;
rapid intensification of all signs;
muscle paralysis.

The rabis virus infects the mammalian brain and causes inflammation, which rapidly develops, affecting the entire nervous system. Death usually occurs from paralysis of the respiratory system.

No attempt is made to treat a sick animal; it is immediately euthanized, and the body is subject to cremation.

Other diseases

In addition to the most common, there are other anthropozoonotic diseases; cases of these infections are much less common.

Toxoplasmosis

It is also provoked by protozoa - Toxoplasma.

It poses the greatest threat to pregnant women; it can lead to the development of fetal pathologies and miscarriage.

The symptoms resemble the onset of acute respiratory viral infection, enlargement of the lymph nodes occurs, fever and conjunctivitis occur. Infection occurs during an acute illness of the animal through feces, if they have been in the litter tray for a long time (3-5 days) and through mucous discharge from the nose.

In the chronic form of the disease, the cat is not contagious to humans. Pets are infected with Toxoplasma through raw meat. The disease requires immediate treatment, the prognosis for the person is favorable.

The acute form of the disease is a common cause of death in small kittens and young animals.

Scabies

The causative agent of the disease is the scabies mite. Signs in a cat are revealed during an external examination. Areas of flaky skin and bald patches appear on the body.

It is extremely rare for a person to become infected. But if itching, rash and peeling of the skin appear, you should immediately consult a doctor; timely therapy can quickly cope with the disease.

Salmonellosis

Cases of infection from a pet are extremely rare.

The general symptoms of the disease are fever, abdominal pain, diarrhea and vomiting. This is a serious disease, but it can be successfully treated with timely consultation with a doctor. Cats are usually infected by eating raw meat.

Aujeszky's disease

This disease of mammals is characterized by damage to the central nervous system. Its symptoms in pets are drooling, loss of coordination of movements, outbursts of aggression, itching of the skin.

Animals become infected through infected meat and often die. The disease is transmitted to humans by airborne droplets and manifests itself in itchy skin and increased body temperature.

With timely treatment, the prognosis is favorable.

Tularemia

This severe bacterial disease is transmitted by insects that usually parasitize the corpses of rodents, and in the warm season - by blood-sucking insects.

A person can become infected from a pet through any household contact. The disease in mammals develops rapidly, and the infectious period is also short. The lymph nodes, respiratory system and spleen are affected.

It is rare and there is no vaccine.

At the first signs of infection, active therapy should be started immediately under the supervision of a physician.

Helminthiasis

Helminth infections are parasitic diseases caused by worms (helminths). Worms in cats most often parasitize the gastrointestinal tract. These include representatives of two types of helminths: nematodes (roundworms) and cestodes (tapeworms). Characteristic signs of helminthiasis in a cat are:

Increased fatigue;
Change in appetite;
Digestive disorders (diarrhea, constipation, vomiting);
Itching in the anal area;
Bloated belly;
Blood and mucus in stool;
Dull coat, heavy shedding.

The presence of external parasites (fleas, lice, lice) also indicates that the cat is infected with worms.

Often helminthiases occur without visible signs, so their diagnosis is difficult. Kittens are susceptible to helminth infection. A large accumulation of worms in the intestines can lead to rupture of the wall of the hollow organ and the inevitable death of the pet.

Even a completely indoor cat that does not go outside can become infected with helminths by eating raw fish or meat, or by accidentally eating a flea infected with helminth eggs. Worms from a pet can easily be transmitted to humans. Children especially often become infected from sick cats.

Preventive measures

A person can easily prevent any anthropozoonotic diseases by following simple rules.

Deworming

Your pet must be dewormed promptly, at least once every three months. This simple procedure is carried out independently. The cat must be given a special tablet or suspension and the threat of infection with many unpleasant diseases caused by parasites will be prevented.

Annual vaccination

It is one of the main methods of combating anthropozoonotic diseases:

Pets must be vaccinated against rabies annually. In many public veterinary clinics, Nabivak-rabis injections are given free of charge. This disease, terrible not only for cats, but also for people, has now been practically eradicated from the world. Sometimes its local foci flare up, the causative agents of which are wild animals - foxes, rodents. Universal vaccination helped to cope with the disease. People who work with animals year-round can also get a rabies vaccination once a year.
Vaccinating your cat against common feline viral infections is also necessary. Although they are not dangerous to humans, they indirectly help maintain their health. After all, if an animal is weakened, it will easily catch a disease that is dangerous to humans.
Ringworm can also be prevented with special vaccinations. They are not mandatory until they are proven to be 100% effective.

Treatment for external parasites

Cats, especially those walking outside, must be treated with special antiparasitic agents twice a year. They are available in the form of collars, drops, lotions, and shampoos.

After all, many external parasites are causative agents of unpleasant diseases that are equally dangerous for both cats and humans.

Preventive action

Following simple rules will help prevent infection of cats and humans:

To reduce the risk of Bartonella entering the human body, it is necessary to trim your cat's claws in a timely manner. And never play with her with bare hands, avoid scratches and bites. If an injury occurs, the affected area should be thoroughly washed with soap and disinfected.
If the cat is on a natural diet and receives raw meat, then it is necessary to be especially careful in its selection, storage and processing. The diet should be purchased only from trusted sources; the meat is thoroughly washed and frozen in freezers for at least three days. Before feeding the pet, it is washed again. It is also advisable to pour boiling water over it.
You should not give your pet food that shows signs of infection or is spoiled.
Do not allow pets to come into contact with stray or wild animals.

Zooanthroponotic infections

Zooanthroponotic infections are diseases common to animals and humans, that is, people become infected with these diseases (zooanthroponoses) from animals.
About 100 diseases of zooanthroponotic nature are known, including rabies, toxoplasmosis, brucellosis, plague, glanders, anthrax, tuberculosis, foot-and-mouth disease, tick-borne encephalitis, actinomycosis, leptospirosis, Q fever, trypanosomiasis, diphyllobothriasis, listeriosis, tularemia, melioidosis, ornithosis, trichosis itia , microsporia, some helminthiasis, etc. Zooanthroponotic infections are transmitted both from animal to human and from human to animal, but the role of humans in the transmission of pathogens to animals is insignificant. The source of pathogens for humans are primarily those animals with which he often comes into contact during agricultural work, while hunting, while picking mushrooms or berries in the forest, as well as in everyday life (dogs, cats, other pets, rodents). Zooanthroponoses are classified into :

The natural focality of diseases lies in the fact that the causative agents of these diseases parasitize the body of wild animals living in nature in certain climatic and geographical conditions within a limited geographical region without connection with people or domestic animals. People or pets can become infected with natural focal diseases when entering the territory of a natural outbreak. Natural focal zooanthroponoses include, for example, plague, rabies, diphyllobothriasis, leptospirosis, and tick-borne encephalitis.

— contact (with infected animals, with their secretions on soil, plants, in water);
— nutritional (food - with vegetables, fruits, berries, insufficiently heat-treated meat, water);
- transmissible (with insect and tick bites).

In the medical literature you can find synonyms - anthropozoonoses and zoonoses.

The level of human morbidity from zoonotic infections (tularemia, anthrax, brucellosis, psittacosis, listeriosis) does not exceed the long-term average; according to State industry reporting, isolated cases were recorded.

The epidemic situation regarding tularemia (caused by Francisella tularensis) is unstable. Tularemia is the most important zoonosis, having a natural focal nature with a wide range of sources, numerous vectors, and a variety of transmission routes. Every year, isolated cases of disease are registered in the country among the population living in areas with natural foci of tularemia, among people who have not been vaccinated against this disease.

To prevent this dangerous disease, you should adhere to the following tips:

— Ensure proper arrangement and maintenance of wells;
— Do not drink raw water from open reservoirs and unknown sources;
— Protect food products from rodents;
— Prevent rodents from entering granaries;
— People who work on grain threshing should use protective gauze masks and canned glasses;

One of the effective means of preventing the disease in enzootic territories and among risk groups is vaccination with a live attenuated vaccine.

In areas unfavorable for anthrax and in threatened areas, a set of sanitary and hygienic measures is carried out, the task of which is to identify, control and sanitize epidemiological foci, monitor the condition of pastures, water sources, livestock farms, routine vaccinations of animals, hygienic standards during the processing of animal raw materials, its storage and transportation, burial of animals.

Individual prevention consists of following the rules of personal hygiene when caring for animals, and specific vaccine prophylaxis for persons with high occupational risks of infection. Detected foci of anthrax must be disinfected.

All employees who directly serve animals on farms affected by brucellosis must observe personal hygiene rules as recommended by medical specialists and veterinary medicine specialists.
Managers of farms of various forms of ownership and subordination are obliged to ensure that livestock farmers undergo timely medical examinations for brucellosis. Provide all livestock workers with sanitary and special clothing and footwear. Equip workplaces with washbasins, disinfectant solution, soap, towels, and a first aid kit. Organize washing and storage of work clothes and safety shoes on the farm.
On each farm, a special journal records the instructions and suggestions of medical specialists and veterinary medicine specialists on occupational hygiene and disease prevention, as well as instructions on safety measures carried out by specialists.

Disinfection and personal hygiene

The most important preventive measures to prevent infections with any anthropozoonotic human diseases is daily cleaning of premises using disinfectants.

If one or more pets live in the house, you must:

Regularly carry out wet cleaning of premises
Every day, remove feces from the cat litter box, throw away contaminated litter, and thoroughly wash and disinfect the litter box itself.
Cat houses, beds, bedding, toys, scratching posts and upholstered furniture in the house should be regularly treated with a steam generator or washed at high temperatures.
After playing with animals, feeding, or cleaning, you should wash your hands thoroughly with soap. If necessary, treat with disinfectants.

Toxoplasmosis.

Toxoplasmosis is an infection caused by a single-celled parasite, Toxoplasma gondii, which can only reproduce in the cells that line the intestines of cats. Although most pets can transmit this disease, only cats shed the eggs that cause this infection.

Cats contract this infection by eating rodents or insects or by coming into contact with other infected cats or their feces.

Toxoplasmosis is transmitted to humans when they do not wash their hands after handling cat feces, gardening, or cleaning cat litter boxes. Children can pick up the pathogen while playing in sandboxes. It can also be spread by eating unwashed fruits and vegetables grown in soil contaminated with cat feces.

Eating raw or undercooked meat can also introduce the parasite into the body.

Toxoplasmosis is most dangerous for a pregnant woman, who can transmit this infection to her fetus through the placenta. It can lead to miscarriage or the birth of a child with congenital toxoplasmosis, which is life-threatening for the baby. If the baby survives, he may suffer from blindness, jaundice, seizures and severe mental retardation.

In infants, mild symptoms may appear soon after birth, but most often appear years later. Symptoms vary depending on the type of toxoplasmosis a person has been infected with.

Possible symptoms include fever, a general feeling of malaise, and swollen lymph nodes. If a person's immune system has been compromised in some way (for example, diagnosed with AIDS), toxoplasmosis can cause life-threatening brain infections.

The presence of antibodies against the parasite can be determined by a blood test. This is the most commonly used method to determine whether a person has toxoplasmosis. In case of immunocompromised patients, the doctor may choose CT scan with CT scan or MRI to make the diagnosis.

In general, the prognosis for people who acquire toxoplasmosis after birth is good. Most people who have a well-functioning immune system do not need treatment and the disease goes away on its own. There are special medications for pregnant women or people with weakened immune systems.

There is no vaccine against toxoplasmosis, and prevention consists of reducing the risk of encountering the parasite. Pregnant women should not handle cat droppings. Other people should only clean sandboxes using plastic gloves and then wash their hands with hot water and disinfectant soap.

Children's sandboxes must be covered. Vegetables should be washed properly. After handling raw meat, hands are thoroughly washed, and the meat itself must be thoroughly fried. When working in the garden, you should wear gloves and wash your hands with soap.

If the cat is sick

At the first signs of the disease:

The pet must be isolated from other animals and people.
Urgently contact a veterinary clinic to diagnose the disease.
Follow all prescriptions and recommendations of the veterinarian.
Carry out complete disinfection of residential premises.

The most suitable products for treating hard and soft surfaces are Verocid, Virkon, Tetralin, Laina, any chlorine-containing cleaning preparations, Chlorhexidine for treating hands and animals.