Many people know that animals can carry diseases dangerous to humans. But there are also cases where humans infect cats. Contact between a person and a pet poses a risk of spreading infections.
What diseases are common to humans and animals?
Zoonoses are infectious and invasive diseases that are dangerous for both humans and animals.
These diseases include:
– Anthrax. An acute infectious disease of farm and wild animals, humans, caused by the spore-forming bacterium Bacillus anthracis. It can occur in cutaneous or septic forms (intestinal and pulmonary forms are found in animals).
– Brucellosis. A zoonotic infection transmitted from sick animals to humans. The infection is caused by bacteria of the genus Brucella. It affects the nervous, reproductive, cardiovascular, and other systems, as well as the musculoskeletal system. Symptoms include fever and chills.
– Rabies. A zoonotic viral disease that affects the central nervous system. The rabies virus belongs to the order Mononegavirales, family Rhabdoviridae. Wild dogs, cats, and predators are the main sources of infection.
– Glanders. A zoonotic disease caused by the bacterium Burkholderia mallei. It is transmitted from odd-toed ungulates (donkeys, horses, camels). Glanders is characterized by specific lesions of the skin, muscles, joints, internal organs, and mucous membranes. It can manifest in acute and chronic forms.
– Avian Influenza. A viral infection of domestic and wild birds that can be transmitted to humans. It is characterized by general weakness, edema, hemorrhages, organ damage, brain, and skin lesions. The avian influenza virus belongs to type A.
How to tell if a cat is sick?
Changes in a cat’s behavior can be a sign that the pet is unwell. Watch out for the following signs of health problems:
- skin and coat deterioration, bald patches and redness,
- coughing and sneezing, eye and nasal discharge,
- urinary issues,
- loss of appetite and refusal to eat,
- vomiting and diarrhea,
- weight changes,
- musculoskeletal issues.
If you notice these signs in your pet, it’s essential to consult a veterinarian. It’s also important to ensure your cat is properly vaccinated.
“Vaccinations provide prevention of infectious diseases, some of which pose a serious risk not only to the cat’s health but also to humans (such as rabies). Vaccination can protect the pet from most of these diseases,” explained veterinarian Dmitry Chelnochnikov to RIA Novosti.
Can a cat get infected from humans?
Yes, in some cases, cats can get infected from humans. This phenomenon is known as reverse zoonosis. However, this happens relatively rarely. More often, it occurs the other way around.
In some cases, cats can get the following diseases from humans:
- scabies,
- ringworm,
- tuberculosis,
- salmonellosis,
- influenza,
- golden staphylococcus.
In addition, the owner may harm the pet with smoking. Secondhand smoke is much more dangerous for animals than for humans. Tobacco smoke poses a threat to cats, causing respiratory diseases and cancer.
Monitor the health of your cats and promptly seek veterinary care.