Can you get worms from a cat? Routes of transmission of dangerous parasites

There are a number of diseases that humans and domestic cats can infect each other with. One of them is helminthic infestation. Some parasites are common to cats and people; for some, the pet is a “transit point”, a temporary host. Let's consider how you can become infected with worms from a cat, and what measures to take to prevent this from happening.

What worms parasitize cats?

Unfortunately, the number of worms parasitizing a cat’s body can be extended into a long list.

Here are their main types:

Nematodes or roundworms. This type of parasite is localized in the cat's intestines. The most dangerous species are cat toxocara, hookworm and roundworm. Toxocara causes the disease toxocorosis, which is usually asymptomatic, but massive infestations of this parasite can lead to the death of the animal. Hookworm enters the cat's body through the soil, during the animal's walks and games on the street.
Cestodes or tapeworms. Representatives of this class of worms have a flat, ribbon-shaped body, which is reflected in their name. They penetrate the intestinal mucosa with their head, which is capable of detaching from the body and expelling a large number of eggs. This class of helminths includes the broad tapeworm, cucumber tapeworm and other types of tapeworms.
Trematodes or flatworms (flukes). This type of worm can parasitize not only the intestines, but also other organs of the cat. This class of worms includes the cat fluke, which can seriously damage the liver of an animal.

However, the listed types of helminths are not transmitted to humans from cats. This can be explained by the fact that many parasites need an intermediate host, since without it their life cycle is disrupted and they will not be able to develop into an adult. For this reason, helminths are not transmitted directly from cats to humans. A person, of course, can become infected with these parasites, but not from a cat.

Infection with worms in a cat is dangerous for another reason. During the development of a parasitic infection, animals become aggressive and uncontrollable. They can rush at their owners, scratch and bite. Therefore, at the first signs of inappropriate cat behavior, you should immediately take the animal to the veterinarian.

Treatment options

To get rid of helminths, it is necessary to treat the owners and the pet itself. The success of this solution is ensured by the simultaneous use of a correctly selected drug. It is important to destroy worms in both people and animals. In any case, the medicine is selected taking into account age and weight. The type of helminth that infects the body plays an important role. To accurately diagnose the disease, you should consult a doctor and visit a veterinarian.

If infected with worms, she will become lethargic, sleep frequently, stop running and playing, and lose her appetite.

To confirm your suspicions regarding the presence of worms, they take tests: blood, feces. In case of severe infestation, more serious diagnostics are required: tissue biopsy of the affected organ, examination of sputum from the lungs, ultrasound, radiography, etc. If there are difficulties in determining the type of helminths, you can take a broad-spectrum drug that can destroy tapeworms, roundworms, threadworms and flukes , and also shows effectiveness in mixed invasions.

Most often, experts prescribe Pirantel for pet owners, and Azinox is prescribed for the cat itself. The course of treatment will be determined by the doctor.

An auxiliary measure in the treatment of parasitic diseases: enterosorbents (help remove toxins), enzyme preparations (to restore the functioning of the digestive system), antihistamines (indicated for the development of allergies). At the next stage, it is recommended to drink a vitamin complex. This scheme is effective for moderate to severe infection. At the stage when the helminths have not yet spread, you can get by with antiparasitic drugs.

Traditional recipes - auxiliary therapy. Products based on them act gently, but rather slowly. Common methods of treating worms:

Pumpkin seeds;
Garlic, milk based on it, as well as enema solutions;
Bitter herbs: wormwood, tansy.

Useful video: Worms in cats - treatment and prevention

Ways of infection of cats

Cats have their own ways of becoming infected with helminths:

from small rodents (mice and rats) that they eat;
through fleas and flies;
when consuming raw meat and fish contaminated with helminth eggs;
when walking outside, a cat can pick up helminth eggs, since they are found everywhere: in the grass, in the soil, in the water;
in contact with other cats;
small kittens become infected through mother's milk if an adult cat is infected, however, it is more difficult for kittens to tolerate a helminthic infection than for adult cats;
if the cat drinks water from a puddle;
when licking your fur;
through your feces.

Pinworm infection

This type of helminth causes a disease called enterobiasis. Pinworm eggs mature very quickly and are found in large quantities on the fur. Worm eggs are transferred from the fur to all objects that the sick cat has come into contact with. In addition, helminth eggs can be spread by flies. If your pet goes for walks, he can bring pinworm eggs into the house from the street.

Pinworms are the main cause of enterobiasis

Pinworm eggs can be transmitted to humans by entering the body through the esophagus. The transferred eggs hatch into larvae that travel to the intestines. Adult maturation occurs in the small and large intestines. The parasites then migrate to the rectum and lay eggs in the anal area, which causes severe itching and discomfort in the person. A child can become infected with pinworms by petting a kitten and not washing their hands. With enterobiasis, the child experiences abdominal pain, diarrhea, and itching in the anus. Children become capricious, whiny, and lose their appetite. Scratching in the anal area can cause dermatitis. In girls, infection with pinworms can cause inflammation of the vagina - vulvovaginitis.

In an adult, the symptoms of enterobiasis are the same as in a child, but the manifestations of infection are not so pronounced.

What parasites can you get from a cat?

However, all of the above does not mean that a cat living at home cannot become a source of infection for humans. The domestic cat is a carrier of protozoan parasites that cause serious diseases in the human body:

Giardia, which causes giardiasis;
toxoplasma, which causes toxoplasmosis.

But this list can be continued with representatives of round and tapeworms that are transmitted to humans from cats:

roundworm (roundworm);
toxocara (roundworm);
pinworms (roundworm);
Echinococcus (tapeworm).

It may seem surprising that this list includes pinworms, which are exclusively “humane” parasites. The thing is that pinworms have an amazing rate of maturation of eggs, which are easily dispersed in the environment and settle on toys, linen, clothes, household items and the soft fur of a beloved pet. Consequently, a person becomes infected with pinworms not from cats, but because they are everywhere around us.

Leading a free lifestyle, cats can bring eggs of any parasite into the house, and humans can swallow them. But it’s worth remembering that the human body is not suitable as the primary host for all parasites.

Ascariasis

Cat roundworm eggs are transmitted to humans through the gastrointestinal tract. Then the larvae emerge from the transmitted eggs and penetrate the walls of the stomach and intestines. The larvae can migrate throughout the body and cause inflammatory processes in various organs. Damage occurs to the liver, eyes, heart, and lungs. In rare cases, brain damage may occur. Ascaris waste products cause an allergic reaction. Damage to the body by roundworm larvae is called toxocariasis. The disease is especially dangerous for young children. Sometimes it is difficult to diagnose the disease; doctors mistake the symptoms of toxocariasis for manifestations of asthma or pneumonia.

Cat roundworms are very dangerous!

It is necessary to distinguish toxocariasis from ordinary ascariasis. A person becomes infected with ascariasis through dirty hands, unwashed fruits and vegetables; in this case, adult helminths parasitize the body. Toxocariasis occurs only when infected with cat roundworms, while the body contains only worm larvae that do not survive to adulthood. Cat toxocaras are more dangerous than human roundworms, as they have a greater ability to spread throughout the body and affect different organs.

Can roundworms pass to a person if he simply strokes a pet? This is possible due to poor hand washing. Ascaris eggs fall onto the hands from the fur, and from there into the stomach. Children often become infected this way.

How can you get worms from a cat?

Helminths are transmitted from cats to humans in the following ways:

in direct contact with a pet;
in case of non-compliance with personal hygiene rules;
through cat feces;
through cat saliva.

Having a cat in the house, of course, increases the chances of family members becoming infected with helminths. Because the routes of transmission of parasitic infection are very simple. Despite the fact that a cat is a very clean animal, constant licking of its fur only increases the likelihood of infection with parasites, since helminth eggs are distributed throughout the hair. In this case, the cat's tongue is the most dangerous spreader of infection. To do this, you just need to pet the cat and not wash your hands - and infection with worms is guaranteed.

A colossal accumulation of eggs is cat litter. Since female worms secrete hundreds of thousands of eggs every day, they are ejected into the external environment along with feces. Even regular and thorough cleaning of the cat's litter box does not completely avoid infection. In addition, helminth eggs accumulate in large quantities in the cat's litter box, and smooth, microscopic helminth eggs easily spread everywhere. Therefore, it is necessary to clean the cat litter exclusively with gloves, since the larvae of roundworms can even pass through the skin. The tray itself and the area around it should be regularly treated with a disinfectant.

Avoiding infection is simple, but at the same time difficult. Even hand washing does not always save us from infection, because our beloved pet licks our hands, rubs us on our clothes, touches us with its paws and nose, and sleeps in its owner’s bed.

For this purpose, it is much more reliable to carry out preventive measures. It is a very erroneous opinion that a cat that does not go outside and onto the landing does not have helminths.

Features of getting rid of parasites transmitted from a pet

If you find out that worms were transmitted from a cat, treatment must be carried out simultaneously in both the person and the cat. The ideal option is to consult a doctor who will conduct an examination of you and your pet; ridding the body of worms and parasites should be done exclusively by a specialist. There are often cases when a stool test does not show the presence of worms, but the state of health is in doubt and therefore the doctor decides to additionally check for worms; worms can be detected by testing for antibodies to parasites.

Additionally, but subject to consultation with a doctor, you can purchase anthelmintic medications, which are constantly being improved, thanks to which a person can easily get rid of worms. Pirantel is suitable for you and your family members, but for your pet you need to purchase Azinox; you need to take the drugs on the same day, preferably even at the same time.

The repeated procedure for taking medications should be repeated after two weeks; as a rule, 10-14 days are necessary for the development of new parasites, provided that the treatment was not completed or new larvae entered the body again.

Remember that in most cases, worms are transmitted from cats to humans, and therefore all pet owners are advised to observe personal hygiene measures, regularly disinfect the pet's tray, and somewhat limit it, prohibiting it from climbing onto the dining table and other most common places. To prevent a person from becoming infected with worms from a cat, if there is even the slightest suspicion of the presence of helminths, it is necessary to immediately contact both a veterinarian and a parasitologist.

What diseases do cat parasites cause in humans?

Helminths that parasitize a cat’s body cause the following diseases in humans:

ascariasis;
toxocariasis;
giardiasis;
toxoplasmosis;
echinococcosis.

Ascariasis

A cat can become infected with roundworms without even leaving the house. Because a person himself brings in helminth eggs from the street on his shoes, and cats meet their owner and rub against his feet. Thus, roundworm eggs fall on the paws and fur of animals, and are then swallowed by them. Cat feces contaminated with roundworms are the main source of infection.

Roundworms, once in the human body, cause serious pathological processes. In the larval stage, they are able to migrate throughout the body, causing general intoxication of the body. Only once they enter the small intestine do adult individuals become localized there. An infected person experiences serious symptoms during the larval migration period:

stomach ache;
nausea and vomiting;
lack of appetite;
upset stomach: constipation gives way to diarrhea;
unexplained weight loss;
intoxication of the body;
allergic reactions;
decreased immunity.

Toxocariasis

Infection of a cat with Toxocara cati parasites occurs when the cat walks outside, since Toxocara cati eggs are in the soil and mixed with dust. The eggs fall on the cat's paws and fur, and then, while licking itself, the animal swallows them. A cat that is always at home can also become infected with helminths, since street dust enters the living space through open windows or is carried into the house with shoes.

The second way a cat can become infected is by eating raw meat and fish infected with Toxocara. After all, parasite larvae are often found in raw meat, which owners feed to their pets. Cats that eat infected rodents (mice and rats) can also become infected in this way.

Once in the human body, Toxocara affects the central nervous system, causing allergic reactions and damage to the optic nerves. In an infected person, symptoms are observed only at the second stage of the disease, when the larvae begin to migrate. During this period the following symptoms appear:

low-grade fever (up to 37.5);
general malaise, weakness and fatigue;
stomach ache;
nausea and vomiting;
diarrhea;
skin rash;
liver enlargement;
enlarged lymph nodes.

Giardiasis

Giardia is not a worm, a bacterium, or a virus. This is the simplest single-celled microorganism, one of the most common parasites in cats, dogs, rodents and humans.

Cats become infected with Giardia through contaminated water and food. A cat, washing itself after visiting the toilet, swallows Giardia cysts (larvae). When enough Giardia accumulates, she develops symptoms of a parasitic infection.

From an infected cat, Giardia gets to a person, and he experiences the following symptoms:

pain in the epigastric region, in the navel area;
nausea;
flatulence;
constipation and diarrhea;
yellow stool with mucus.

Toxoplasmosis

Toxoplasmosis is a fairly common disease in domestic cats. A cat can swallow the parasite while walking, eating infected foods, or licking its paws after using the toilet. Toxoplasma is very common in the environment. They are found almost everywhere. A person can become infected from a cat by removing its tray with feces, and not always, but only in cases where the feces have been in the tray for more than a day. Because the cysts must mature.

The symptoms of toxoplasmosis in humans are characterized by their diversity, so the disease can only be identified using serological blood tests. With strong immunity, the disease is completely asymptomatic. Infection of a pregnant woman with toxoplasma poses a serious danger, since the parasite affects the fetus, causing serious damage to its organs and systems, as well as to persons with reduced immunity (HIV infection).

Echinococcosis

Domestic cats are infected with echinococcosis through the fecal-oral route. Cats are the main host for Echinococcus. The parasite comes to them from small rodents (mice, shrews). The maturation of adult individuals occurs in the intestines of a cat, but the stage of maturation of larvae occurs in intermediate hosts (small and cattle, horses, pigs, humans). Cases when a cat becomes an intermediate host are quite rare, but they do exist. This occurs when a cat swallows Echinococcus eggs. If the eggs of this parasite enter the human body, then it also becomes an intermediate host. And in this case, the parasite lives a long, happy life of 20 years.

Echinococcus causes serious damage to a person's liver, heart, brain or any other organ in which its larvae have settled. The course of echinococcosis is so complex that it can lead to death of the patient. Symptoms of the disease depend on which organ is affected by the parasite.

Symptoms of parasitic infestation

To prevent infection with helminths, the owner needs to monitor the health of his pet, regularly take him for examinations to a veterinary clinic, and in between, examine him himself. Absolutely all parasitic organisms do not have the goal of killing their host, because if he dies, they will have nowhere to live. But the constant lack of nutrients, the lion's share of which goes to feed the parasites, as well as the toxins released by them in the process of life, significantly weaken the body of the helminth carrier. And the symptoms of helminthic infestation are always present; a person only needs to carefully monitor the behavior and condition of his pet.

The first sign that a cat has worms is a change in appetite. The cat may refuse to eat or, conversely, constantly ask for food; it may develop unusual cravings. At the same time, the pet becomes lethargic, apathetic, and can lie for days on end, only getting up to go to the bowl.

Also symptoms of helminthic infestation are:

digestive disorders (alternating constipation and diarrhea or one of these manifestations on an ongoing basis);
dyspeptic symptoms;
cough;
discharge from the eyes;
the appearance of allergic reactions;
constant licking of the perineal area due to itching of the anus;
the presence in the excrement of various impurities (blood, mucus), as well as worms visible to the eye.

If helminths have infected a kitten’s body, it may experience delayed growth and development and slow weight gain. In an adult animal, the condition of the coat deteriorates; in severe cases, convulsions and loss of coordination of movements may occur.

Your pet may complain by meowing loudly if the presence of worms causes pain or discomfort in the abdomen.

When helminths begin to actively grow and multiply, a lump of worms in the intestines causes tension and swelling of the abdomen, and an increase in its size.

If you observe such symptoms, you should immediately contact your veterinarian. He will examine the animal, determine the type of helminthic infestation and prescribe the most effective medications. A sick cat can infect both other pets and people. Therefore, measures should be taken immediately, especially if there are children in the house.

How to avoid getting worms from a cat

In order not to become infected with helminths from a cat, you should follow a number of simple rules:

first of all, always wash your hands after every contact with a domestic cat and especially after touching stray animals;
Be sure to wash your hands before eating and after using the toilet;
From an early age, children should be taught personal hygiene;
The cat should not be allowed to sleep in the same bed with children and adults;
don't kiss the cat;
You should clean the cat's litter box in a timely manner and do it with rubber gloves, since nematodes can penetrate the skin;
it is advisable not to let your domestic cat outside, since it will not be able to avoid contact with other animals, contaminated soil, water and soil;
Do not accustom your domestic cat to raw meat and fish; they must be subjected to high-quality heat treatment; do not lightly cook the meat, in this case the parasites will not die;
It is strongly recommended to carry out regular deworming of pets with special anthelmintic drugs;
Carry out regular preventive examinations of your cat at the veterinarian;
treat cat bowls and litter tray with disinfectant;
Children should not be allowed to touch stray animals, since they are the source of parasitic infection.

Allergic reactions of humans to cats

This is one of the most common problems and reasons for not keeping animals at home. Most often, allergic reactions occur to the fur and epidermis (the upper, exfoliating layer of skin) of pets.

If an allergy occurs during pregnancy to the fur or epidermis of a pet, the optimal solution to the problem is to reduce the duration of contact between the pregnant woman and the animal. It is better to give the dog or cat to one of your relatives or friends for a while. In case of severe allergic reactions, this measure is mandatory.

If this option is not possible, you should consult your doctor about antihistamines (anti-allergic) drugs allowed during pregnancy and start taking them. The allergic reaction itself in the expectant mother does not cause allergies in the baby (immune complexes do not penetrate the placenta).

Allergies can manifest as congestion, swelling of the nasopharynx, face, lacrimation, skin rashes, itching, and in severe cases, difficulty breathing, even asthmatic suffocation.

However, changes in the condition of the pregnant woman, deterioration of the uteroplacental circulation during antiallergic treatment, and the adverse effect of antihistamines on the fetus can complicate the course of pregnancy due to allergies.

Due to the fact that by the 22nd week of pregnancy the fetal immune system reaches some maturity, from this period the intake of highly allergenic substances into the mother’s body and contacts with them should be limited. The fact is that after birth, due to the baby’s increased sensitivity, these allergens can cause severe allergic reactions.

The first symptoms of helminthiasis in humans

Manifestations of helminthiasis in humans depend on the type of cat worms parasitizing in his body.

Toxocariasis manifests itself:

allergic reactions (a general blood test shows a high level of eosinophils);
difficulty breathing (due to bronchospasm, pneumonia, pleura);
decreased visual acuity, purulent inflammation of the mucous membrane and inner membranes of the eye;
in case of damage to the central nervous system - epileptoid-like seizures.

Hookworm infection can be suspected in a person based on the following signs:

decreased performance;
fast fatiguability;
anemia;
bowel dysfunction.

Cucumber tapeworm causes excessive salivation, attacks of nausea, abdominal pain, itching in the anus, sleep disturbances, and anemia.

Symptoms of echinococcosis may not appear in a person for many years.

When infestation with echinococci worsens, the manifestations depend on the location of the parasite:

brain - pain, vomiting, dizziness, increased intracranial pressure, epileptic seizures, delirium, depression, dementia, paralysis;
gallbladder and ducts - hepatic colic, attacks of nausea, vomiting, jaundice, colorless stools, increased body temperature;
lungs – dry cough, later with sputum or blood, shortness of breath;
kidneys - loss of appetite, general weakness, weight loss, itching of the skin, pain in the hypochondrium or lumbar region, renal colic, fever, blood in the urine, urinary retention;
heart - myocardial infarction, rhythm disturbance, blockage of the pulmonary arteries with hemoptysis, pain, fever;
spinal cord – pain in the legs, arms, chest, paralysis of the limbs, dysfunction of the pelvic organs, curvature of the spine.

Giardiasis often does not manifest itself at all. Symptoms of a pathological condition caused by Giardia are pain in the right side under the ribs, around the navel, in the pit of the stomach. The temperature rises, appetite disappears. A person is also tormented by other manifestations:

headache;
nausea, vomiting;
flatulence, diarrhea;
fatigue, sudden mood changes;
dermatitis, allergic rhinitis, conjunctivitis;
joint inflammation.

A person can live with Toxoplasma for many years and not even know about the presence of the parasite. The acute stage of infection is manifested by symptoms similar to the flu. In people with weak immune systems, toxoplasmosis can cause encephalitis.

Toxoplasma is most dangerous for pregnant women. The parasite penetrates the placental barrier and infects the fetus. As a result, a miscarriage occurs or severe defects are formed.

Dermatophytes

Parasites from a genus of pathogenic fungi develop on the stratum corneum of the epidermis and cause the infectious invasive disease dermatomycosis or ringworm. A cat becomes infected during contact with other animals or through contact with inseminated soil or any object. Young individuals are especially susceptible to infection. The disease is characterized by severe damage to the skin and coat.

A person easily becomes infected with ringworm through contact with a sick person or an infected cat. A sick animal poses a particular danger to young children whose immune systems have not fully strengthened. People are treated for skin diseases at home using medications. Cats recover on their own within 2-3 months, while remaining an active source of infection. To prevent the disease, it is recommended to regularly vaccinate cats and limit contact with stray animals.

Toxoplasma

Parasitic bacteria belong to the simplest sporozoans and are very frequent guests in the cat's body. Any animal is susceptible to infection with toxoplasma, especially those that “walk on their own.” This type of parasite literally populates the environment, and a cat easily picks up the infection by licking its paws after a walk or using the toilet.

The disease caused by this type of zoonosis is called toxoplasmosis. It causes serious damage to the nervous system (encephalitis and meningitis), visual organs, and cardiac activity in humans. Infection can be provoked by simply cleaning a tray with feces that has lain for more than 24 hours. The symptoms of the disease are very diverse and a special blood test is required to identify the diagnosis. Pregnant women are especially at risk; the disease is fraught with pathology and pregnancy loss. For prevention, you should change the cat's litter box in a timely manner, using disinfectants.

Tips for fighting worms

In the fight against parasites, the following drugs are effective and have almost no side effects: “Fenasal”, “Dirofen”, “Phenalidon”, “Praziquantel”, “Cetovex”, “Pyrantel”. Before use, you must carefully read the instructions to avoid overdose. Some tips for deworming:

after taking the medicine, the cat should be given 1-2 tablets of activated carbon;
Keep an eye on the cat's potty - after taking the drug, the animal must empty its intestines to avoid poisoning.

Types of worms transmitted to humans

The cat’s body contains helminths, divided into two groups:

Roundworms or nematodes. Long and thin, like pasta, their body length can be up to 80 cm. Of course, such long worms will not fit in the intestines of a cat, but up to 10 cm they will take root quite well. Nematodes are divided into 3 classes and 30 orders (according to the 2011 classification) and are causative agents of various diseases in cats and humans.
Tapeworms or cestodes. They belong to the class of flat parasitic worms; about 4,000 species are currently described.

The following parasites pose a danger to humans:

Wide tapeworm (cestodes);
Cucumber tapeworm (cestodes);
Toxocara, roundworms (nematodes).

Diseases caused by nematodes

Hookworms are parasites that are found in tropical and subtropical climates much more often than in ours.

They destroy the intestinal walls and prevent blood clotting. They enter the human body through the skin, causing itching, redness and burning. They parasitize the intestines of cats and humans. Adults can provoke the formation of ulcers in the intestines, leading to blood loss and intoxication of the body.

Toxocariasis is a disease that affects children from 1 to 4 years of age. A person can become infected with it by consuming food and water contaminated by sick animals. The most common form of toxocariasis is the intestinal one.

Dangerous diseases caused by cestodes

The most dangerous diseases (for people) include:

Dipilidiosis, the causative agent of which is the cucumber tapeworm. The disease is characterized by allergies and impaired digestive functions.
Taeniasis, although it belongs to the group of neglected diseases, according to WHO, should be mentioned. The occurrence of the disease is provoked by the presence of pork (bovine) tapeworm in the cat’s intestines. Once in the human body, taeniasis causes intestinal upset, provokes attacks of pancreatitis and the development of cholecystitis.
Echinococcosis, the causative agent of which is the larval stage of echinococcus (cestodes). The danger of echinococcosis is that it is characterized by the formation of parasitic cysts in the heart, abdominal cavity, biliary tract, lungs, kidneys, liver (in 70% of cases of infection), spleen, brain, spinal cord. True, the last three types of infection are very rare (0.2-1% of the total mass).
Dibothriocephalosis or diphyllobothriasis. The causative agent is a wide tapeworm, characterized by pathological phenomena in the digestive organs, circulatory and nervous systems.

The most common disease is dipylidia, which occurs in 70-80% of cats and their owners.