You probably have a sick cat, you might marvel if they are able to unfold the identical illness to your unsuspecting canine. The quick reply is that it is going to rely on the sickness, however sure, some medical maladies might be handed from a cat to a canine. However, whereas this could 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.
Beneath, we’ll discover in additional element among the medical issues that may unfold from a cat to a canine to assist empower pet house owners with extra information on the topic.
The 5 Potential Diseases That Can Unfold From Cats to Canine
Whereas this isn’t an exhaustive listing, it is going to embody some medical afflictions that may unfold from an affected cat to a canine. A few of these sicknesses may even unfold to individuals, termed zoonotic ailments, so understanding your cat’s sickness to maintain different cats, your canine, and even people protected is crucial!
1. Fleas
Fleas are small bugs that dwell by consuming animal blood. Although there are greater than a pair thousand completely different flea species, the most typical one which impacts each cats and canines is the cat flea, known as Ctenocephalides felis felis. These parasites are exterior ones, which suggests they dwell exterior their host however nonetheless feed off them. Whereas they don’t have wings, they’re nice jumpers for his or her small dimension!
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 embody the bubonic plague, cat scratch illness, or tapeworms.
Indicators of fleas could embody 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 all the time the case. Generally, proof of a flea’s presence is non-existent, or one could 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 some other animals that will come into contact with the affected pet. This can work to eradicate the present fleas and to forestall their continued unfold. As a result of species sort (cat vs. canine), age, dimension, weight, and many others. are all necessary elements for therapy, veterinary merchandise are really useful. The second a part of therapy is environmental cleansing therapy comparable to vacuuming, laundering, or potential pest management measures to forestall cross-infections or reinfection.
2. Bartonellosis
Bartonellosis, generally often known as cat scratch illness or cat scratch fever, is a bacterial an infection because of the 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 possibly additionally turn out to be current if an contaminated animal scratches or bites an unsuspecting topic. Whereas the illness is pretty frequent in cats, it may possibly additionally current in different animals together with canines, people, and varied home and wildlife species.
Many cats which might be contaminated are asymptomatic (don’t present indicators of an infection), however this isn’t all the time the case in different species, comparable to canines. Indicators of an infection could embody fever, vomiting, nostril discharge, swollen lymph nodes, sore muscle tissues, lack of urge for food, and irritation of many inside organs together with the center and eyes. Analysis is reliant on laboratory testing that may decide if the micro organism is current in blood and therapy of antibiotics is really useful for many who have medical indicators.
Supportive care comparable to fluids or ache treatment 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 embody not permitting tough play behaviors comparable to biting or scratching, trimming a pet’s nails, having vitality retailers 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 frequent 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 finished with direct examination of the parasite. In different circumstances, a pattern could also be topic to varied exams, comparable to examination of an affected fecal pattern that’s examined underneath the microscope for eggs, snap exams, and many others. Generally, no indicators in affected pets are famous, whereas different instances there could also be diarrhea, weight reduction, or a protruding spherical stomach.
Remedy consists of the correct identification of the GI parasite and their subsequent particular therapy. Regular, daily cleanup of the fecal material, using a disinfectant to clean the litterbox on a routine foundation, not feeding uncooked meat diets, and guaranteeing management of different intermediate hosts, in order to have good control of parasites are all necessary elements for prevention as soon as handled.
4. Mite Infestation
Whereas many various kinds of mites are species-specific, some varieties might be contagious between species. Ear mites (Otodectic mange) might unfold from a cat to a canine and sarcoptic mange (additionally known as Scabies) are a sort of mite that’s usually more commonly seen in dogs, but can also occur in cats. Each of those mites can unfold from one contaminated animal to an uninfected one mostly by way of direct contact.
Widespread indicators embody intense itching, hair loss, crusting, and secondary infections. Analysis is most frequently finished by way of sampling areas to look at the mite underneath the microscope. Remedy by way of prescription treatment to kill the particular sort of mite is out there. If there’s a secondary an infection, antibiotics could also be wanted, and medicated baths or ear cleaners can also be indicated.
5. Ringworm
Do you know that this isn’t truly a worm, however moderately, a fungus? This pores and skin situation can also be known as dermatophytosis, for the fungi (dermatophytes) that trigger the situation. Their fungal spores, initially discovered within the out of doors atmosphere, may unfold by way of direct contact with an contaminated animal comparable to one other cat, in addition to from contaminated objects comparable to bedding.
Indicators of an an infection embody an space of hair loss with redness, scaling, or crusting. The affected animal can also exhibit extra grooming or scratching. As well as, brittle or damaged nails with contaminated nail beds can happen. In individuals, a attribute spherical, raised purple lesion is commonly seen, however this isn’t the everyday presentation present in cats. Testing to substantiate ringworm could embody the next: a Wooden lamp that may fluoresce with mild 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 mixture of oral antifungals and topical remedy, in addition to environmental decontamination and cleansing to forestall reinfection by way of the fungal spores. If attainable, till the cat is cured, isolation of the contaminated feline from any non-infected animals is right. As well as, it is crucial for any human petting or coping with the affected animal to clean their palms after contact.
6. Rabies
Rabies is a viral disease 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 means of the eyes, nostril, or mouth of one other. Typically wild animals comparable to raccoons, bats, coyotes, and many others. are almost definitely the species for rabies to initially happen in.
In lots of elements of the world, a rabid canine generally is a frequent supply to contaminate others however, extra just lately in America, cats are the most prevalent domestic species contaminated. It’s because some house owners could not vaccinate them for rabies as steadily as they do canines, and the cats might 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 could embody extra drooling, bother swallowing, seizures, staggering, paralysis, fearfulness, or aggression.
As soon as indicators are current for rabies, there isn’t a therapy out there, however the excellent news is rabies is fully preventable by means of correct vaccination.
7. Kennel Cough
Bordetella bronchiseptica, additionally commonly referred to 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 possibly unfold from one affected species to the other. It may be unfold instantly, comparable to with grooming one another, but additionally within the air with coughing or sneezing.
Moreover, a contaminated atmosphere (environment, bedding, meals bowls, and many others.) can also enable for the unfold. If seen, indicators could embody coughing, sneezing, eye and nostril discharge in addition to fever, inappetence, and lethargy. In additional extreme types of sickness, bother respiratory can also be current. When indicated, therapy consists of particular antibiotics, and pet-safe cough medication, and in rarer but harsh sicknesses, hospitalization could also be wanted for additional care.
Whereas a vaccine shouldn’t be fully foolproof, it may possibly assist restrict the severity of the sickness if contracted; as well as, many boarding and grooming amenities require it.
Prevention Suggestions
- Consciousness. Information is highly effective, and understanding can enable for one to take management of the state of affairs for all of their pet’s profit.
- Observe good hygiene. This consists of routinely washing one’s palms 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 can also be useful in limiting some sicknesses between species.
- Common cleansing. Regular and routine cleaning up of cats’ fecal materials (guaranteeing canines don’t eat it).
- Preventative care. Good preventative care is instrumental in retaining many sicknesses at bay. Work together with your veterinarian to make sure your pets are correctly vaccinated and obtain good preventative measures for parasites comparable to fleas, intestinal parasites, and many others.
- Vet checkups. Have well being considerations or medical adjustments investigated promptly.
- Be protected. When relevant, quarantine a sick pet from others till healed. Guarantee protected, but efficacious correct cleansing protocols for a doubtlessly infectious agent at hand.
Conclusion
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 necessary to have consciousness, good preventative care, and immediate medical consideration as integral elements in your toolkit to make sure the very best well being to your pet.
Featured Picture Credit score: Reshetnikov_art, Shutterstock
