In case you have a sick cat, chances are you’ll surprise if they can unfold the identical illness to your unsuspecting canine. The brief reply is that it is going to rely on the sickness, however sure, some medical maladies could be handed from a cat to a canine. However, whereas this may happen, it might be comforting to know that almost all of sicknesses are species-specific and don’t unfold from one species to the opposite.
Under, we’ll discover in additional element a number of the medical issues that may unfold from a cat to a canine to assist empower pet house owners with extra data on the topic.
The 5 Potential Diseases That Can Unfold From Cats to Canines
Whereas this isn’t an exhaustive checklist, it is going to embrace some medical afflictions that may unfold from an affected cat to a canine. A few of these diseases may even unfold to folks, termed zoonotic ailments, so understanding your cat’s sickness to maintain different cats, your canine, and even people secure is crucial!
1. Fleas
Fleas are small bugs that reside by consuming animal blood. Though there are greater than a pair thousand totally different flea species, the commonest one which impacts each cats and canines is the cat flea, referred to as Ctenocephalides felis felis. These parasites are exterior ones, which suggests they reside exterior their host however nonetheless feed off them. Whereas they don’t have wings, they’re nice jumpers for his or her small measurement!
Mostly these bugs trigger itchiness, discomfort, and irritation to their hosts and may trigger flea allergy dermatitis, secondary pores and skin infections, and even anemia in extreme circumstances. As well as, fleas are vectors, which suggests they’ll transmit a pathogen from themselves to a succesful host; some examples for fleas embrace the bubonic plague, cat scratch illness, or tapeworms.
Indicators of fleas might embrace extra scratching, licking, itching, or hair loss. Whereas inspecting an affected host, you may very well see a fast-moving flea, however this isn’t at all times the case. Generally, proof of a flea’s presence is non-existent, or one might discover their fecal materials, which seems as black specks, in a pet’s fur.
Remedy is two-fold. First, the affected animal have to be handled, in addition to another animals which will come into contact with the affected pet. This can work to remove the present fleas and to stop their continued unfold. As a result of species kind (cat vs. canine), age, measurement, weight, and so on. are all essential parts for remedy, veterinary merchandise are beneficial. The second a part of remedy is environmental cleansing remedy similar to vacuuming, laundering, or potential pest management measures to stop cross-infections or reinfection.
2. Bartonellosis
Bartonellosis, generally often called cat scratch illness or cat scratch fever, is a bacterial an infection as a result of micro organism Bartonella henselae. This infectious illness is initially primarily transmitted by contaminated fleas or ticks to an animal by way of the bloodstream, however it may additionally grow to be current if an contaminated animal scratches or bites an unsuspecting topic. Whereas the illness is pretty widespread in cats, it may additionally current in different animals together with canines, people, and numerous home and wildlife species.
Many cats which might be contaminated are asymptomatic (don’t present indicators of an infection), however this isn’t at all times the case in different species, similar to canines. Indicators of an infection might embrace fever, vomiting, nostril discharge, swollen lymph nodes, sore muscle tissue, lack of urge for food, and irritation of many inside organs together with the center and eyes. Prognosis is reliant on laboratory testing that may decide if the micro organism is current in blood and remedy of antibiotics is beneficial for many who have scientific indicators.
Supportive care similar to fluids or ache medicine could also be wanted in some circumstances. Strict flea and tick management is important in limiting the probability of the unfold of this illness, and extra concerns embrace not permitting tough play behaviors similar to biting or scratching, trimming a pet’s nails, having power shops for enrichment, and having a cat be indoor solely.
3. Gastrointestinal (GI) Parasites
There are a number of inside gastrointestinal (GI) parasites that may initially infect a cat however then be unfold to a canine. Roundworms, hookworms, and tapeworms are widespread culprits which might be generally known as “worms” however there are different parasite sorts such because the protozoan parasite, Giardia.
Testing in some circumstances could also be carried out with direct examination of the parasite. In different circumstances, a pattern could also be topic to numerous exams, similar to examination of an affected fecal pattern that’s examined beneath the microscope for eggs, snap exams, and so on. Generally, no indicators in affected pets are famous, whereas different occasions there could also be diarrhea, weight reduction, or a protruding spherical stomach.
Remedy consists of the right identification of the GI parasite and their subsequent particular remedy. Common, every day cleanup of the fecal materials, utilizing a disinfectant to wash the litterbox on a routine foundation, not feeding uncooked meat diets, and guaranteeing management of different intermediate hosts, in order to have good management of parasites are all essential parts for prevention as soon as handled.
4. Mite Infestation
Whereas many various kinds of mites are species-specific, some varieties could be contagious between species. Ear mites (Otodectic mange) might unfold from a cat to a canine and sarcoptic mange (additionally referred to as Scabies) are a kind of mite that’s usually extra generally seen in canines, however may also happen in cats. Each of those mites can unfold from one contaminated animal to an uninfected one mostly by way of direct contact.
Frequent indicators embrace intense itching, hair loss, crusting, and secondary infections. Prognosis is most frequently carried out by way of sampling areas to look at the mite beneath the microscope. Remedy by way of prescription medicine to kill the particular kind of mite is on the market. If there’s a secondary an infection, antibiotics could also be wanted, and medicated baths or ear cleaners may additionally be indicated.
5. Ringworm
Do you know that this isn’t truly a worm, however relatively, a fungus? This pores and skin situation can be referred to as dermatophytosis, for the fungi (dermatophytes) that trigger the situation. Their fungal spores, initially discovered within the out of doors surroundings, may also unfold by way of direct contact with an contaminated animal similar to one other cat, in addition to from contaminated objects similar to bedding.
Indicators of an an infection embrace an space of hair loss with redness, scaling, or crusting. The affected animal may additionally exhibit extra grooming or scratching. As well as, brittle or damaged nails with contaminated nail beds can happen. In folks, a attribute spherical, raised crimson lesion is usually seen, however this isn’t the standard presentation present in cats. Testing to substantiate ringworm might embrace the next: a Wooden lamp that may fluoresce with gentle in some infections, a microscopic examination to search for fungal spores, a fungal tradition, PCR testing of hair for dermatophyte DNA, or a biopsy pattern to be evaluated.
Remedy usually consists of a mix of oral antifungals and topical remedy, in addition to environmental decontamination and cleansing to stop reinfection by way of the fungal spores. If potential, till the cat is cured, isolation of the contaminated feline from any non-infected animals is right. As well as, it’s important for any human petting or coping with the affected animal to scrub their fingers after contact.
6. Rabies
Rabies is a viral illness that impacts the nervous system of any potential mammalian species. Transmission is by way of an contaminated animal’s saliva and mostly happens by way of a chunk however might additionally happen if an affected animal’s saliva is transmitted to a different by way of an open wound or by the eyes, nostril, or mouth of one other. Typically wild animals similar to raccoons, bats, coyotes, and so on. are almost definitely the species for rabies to initially happen in.
In lots of components of the world, a rabid canine generally is a widespread supply to contaminate others however, extra just lately in America, cats are the most prevalent home species contaminated. It’s because some house owners might not vaccinate them for rabies as often as they do canines, and the cats could be uncovered to rabid wildlife. For an affected animal, the virus travels by way of the nerves to the mind, and indicators of an infection might embrace extra drooling, bother swallowing, seizures, staggering, paralysis, fearfulness, or aggression.
As soon as indicators are current for rabies, there isn’t any remedy obtainable, however the excellent news is rabies is completely preventable by correct vaccination.
7. Kennel Cough
Bordetella bronchiseptica, additionally generally known as “kennel cough”, is a really contagious micro organism that causes respiratory illness with irritation within the windpipe (trachea) and bronchi. Whereas usually extra acknowledged with canines, this micro organism can have an effect on each cats and canines, and much more fascinating is that it may unfold from one affected species to the opposite. It may be unfold straight, similar to with grooming one another, but in addition within the air with coughing or sneezing.
Moreover, a contaminated surroundings (environment, bedding, meals bowls, and so on.) may additionally enable for the unfold. If seen, indicators might embrace coughing, sneezing, eye and nostril discharge in addition to fever, inappetence, and lethargy. In additional extreme types of sickness, bother respiration may additionally be current. When indicated, remedy consists of particular antibiotics, and pet-safe cough medication, and in rarer but harsh diseases, hospitalization could also be wanted for additional care.
Whereas a vaccine is just not completely foolproof, it may assist restrict the severity of the sickness if contracted; as well as, many boarding and grooming services require it.
Prevention Ideas
- Consciousness. Data is highly effective, and understanding can enable for one to take management of the state of affairs for all of their pet’s profit.
- Apply good hygiene. This contains routinely washing one’s fingers after interacting with their pet. As well as, routine washing or cleansing of the bedding and supplies one’s pet frequents or makes use of may additionally be useful in limiting some diseases between species.
- Common cleansing. Common and routine cleansing up of cats’ fecal materials (guaranteeing canines don’t eat it).
- Preventative care. Good preventative care is instrumental in maintaining many diseases at bay. Work together with your veterinarian to make sure your pets are correctly vaccinated and obtain good preventative measures for parasites similar to fleas, intestinal parasites, and so on.
- Vet checkups. Have well being issues or medical adjustments investigated promptly.
- Be secure. When relevant, quarantine a sick pet from others till healed. Guarantee secure, but efficacious correct cleansing protocols for a probably infectious agent at hand.
Whereas most pet ailments are species-specific, there are some that may be handed from a cat to a canine. Due to this, for that subset of particular well being situations, it’s essential to have consciousness, good preventative care, and immediate medical consideration as integral parts in your toolkit to make sure the very best well being on your pet.
Featured Picture Credit score: Reshetnikov_art, Shutterstock
