7 Diseases that can be transmitted by cats

Cats are considered excellent companions and, therefore, they must be well taken care of, because when they are not properly treated, they can be reservoirs of some parasites, fungi, bacteria and viruses, and can transmit diseases to people when they come into contact with their feces, saliva, urine, hair or scratches, for example. Therefore, to avoid diseases and maintain the cat's health it is important to take him to the veterinarian at least once a year so that he is evaluated and vaccinated and dewormed.

To avoid the most common health problems that can be caused by these animals, some strategies must be adopted, such as committing to taking good care of the animal, offering a calm and peaceful place, clean water and food, because this is the most suitable food and complete, and that helps to keep the cat free of diseases, thus reducing the risk of you and your family being contaminated. In addition, it is important to be careful when cleaning the litter box and collecting the animal's feces, especially if the cat usually leaves the house without supervision or if the vaccines are not up to date.

The main diseases that can be transmitted by cats, especially when not well cared for, are:

1. Respiratory allergy

Cat hair is a major cause of respiratory allergy, being noticed through allergic symptoms like sneezing, swelling of the eyelids, breathing problems and even asthma in some people. Therefore, it is recommended that people who are allergic to cats avoid contact and do not have them at home.

2. Toxoplasmosis

Toxoplasmosis is an infectious disease caused by the parasite Toxoplasma gondii that has untreated cats as its definitive host and intermediate people. Transmission occurs through contact with the feces of infected cats or through the ingestion of oocysts from the parasite present in the soil or sand.

The first symptoms appear between 10 and 20 days, the main ones being: headache, the appearance of water in the neck, red spots on the body, fever and muscle pain. When pregnant women are contaminated during pregnancy, it is important that treatment be started as soon as possible, as this parasite can cross the placenta and infect the baby, which can cause malformations.

Thus, it is important to be careful when handling the cat's litter box, it is recommended to use a glove or small plastic bag and then throw the feces and the remains of urine in the trash or in the toilet, flushing immediately afterwards. These measures must be taken regardless of whether the cat is sick or not, as the animal may be infected without signs.

Learn more about toxoplasmosis.

3. Skin ringworm

Skin ringworm is most common to happen through skin contact with cats that live on the street or are in constant contact with other cats. Thus, as they are more exposed to the environment, they are more likely to acquire fungi and transmit to people and cause ringworm.

Therefore, to avoid the development of mycoses, which must be treated with the use of antifungals according to medical advice, such as ketoconazole, for example, it is important to avoid contact with cats that are not properly treated.

4. Bartonella henselae infection

Bartonella henselae is a bacterium that can infect cats and be transmitted to people through scratches caused by that animal, so infection with this bacterium is called cat scratch disease. After the scratch, the bacteria enters the body and can cause infection on the skin of people who have compromised immune systems due to the use of drugs, diseases or transplants, for example. Learn to recognize the symptoms of cat scratch disease.

This rarely happens in people who are in good health, but to prevent it is advisable to keep away from cats that are usually skittish and that bite or scratch people. Avoiding games that the cat does not like is also essential to avoid being bitten or scratched by the cat.

In addition, to avoid the risk of transmission, it is important to keep the cat's vaccines up to date and if it has been scratched, it is recommended to go to the emergency room so that the necessary measures can be taken.

5. Sporotrichosis

Sporotrichosis can be transmitted through the bite or scratch of the cat contaminated with the disease-causing fungus, Sporothrix schenckii. Treatment can be done with the use of antifungals such as Tioconazole, under medical guidance. When the animal has this disease it is normal to have wounds that do not heal on its skin and the more advanced the disease is, the more wounds can appear.

This fungus can be transmitted between cats during their fights, when they scratch or bite, and the only way to control this disease is with the use of medicines prescribed by the veterinarian. For the person to protect himself, he must keep his distance from the injured animals and if his cat is like that, he must treat him using very thick rubber gloves and follow all the treatment indicated by the veterinarian, to save the animal's life.

If the person is scratched or bitten, they should go to the doctor so that he can indicate the appropriate treatment. Understand how sporotrichosis is treated.

6. Visceral Larva migrans syndrome

Visceral larva migrans syndrome, also called visceral toxocariasis, is an infectious disease caused by the parasite Toxocara cati that can often be found in domestic animals. Transmission to people occurs through ingestion or contact with eggs of this parasite present in the feces of the infected cat.

As Toxocara cati is poorly adapted to the human organism, the parasite moves to various parts of the body, reaching the intestine, liver, heart or lungs, causing a series of complications in the person. Learn to recognize the symptoms of visceral larva migrans.

Thus, it is important that the cat is dewormed periodically and the collection of feces is done correctly: the feces must be collected with the help of a plastic bag, thrown into the toilet or bagged and thrown in the trash.

7. Hookworm

Hookworm is a disease caused by the parasite Ancilostoma duodenale or Necator americanus that penetrates the person's skin and can cause bleeding in the liver, cough, fever, anemia, loss of appetite and fatigue in the person.

To protect himself, the person should avoid walking barefoot at home and in the yard where the cat has access and can do his needs. In addition, the safest thing to do is to give the animal medicine for worms and that it has a basket with its own sand so that it can pee and poop always in the same place and in a more hygienic way.

In addition to these precautions, it is also necessary for the animal to be vaccinated and to go to the veterinarian at least once a year in order to assess its health to ensure the healthy life of the kitten and the whole family.

How to avoid these diseases

Some tips to avoid contamination with diseases transmitted by cats are:

• Take the cat to the veterinarian regularly, so that he can be vaccinated and receive the proper treatment; Wash your hands with soap and water always after touching or playing with the cat; Be careful when handling the cat's feces, using gloves or a bag plastic to pick them up and then take them to the trash properly bagged or throw in the toilet; change the cat's sand regularly; wash the places where the cat has a habit of staying very well.

Although bathing in cats is not often recommended by veterinarians, it is important to keep these animals properly clean, especially if they have a habit of going out into the street, as they may come into contact with microorganisms responsible for diseases and that can be transmitted to people.