Can Cats Get Canines Sick? Our Vet Explains Sicknesses & Prevention Ideas

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You probably have a sick cat, chances are you’ll surprise if they are able to unfold the identical illness to your unsuspecting dog. The brief reply is that it’ll depend upon the sickness, however sure, some medical maladies could be handed from a cat to a dog. 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.

Beneath, we’ll discover in additional element among the medical issues that may unfold from a cat to a dog to assist empower pet house owners with extra information on the topic.

The 5 Potential Sicknesses That Can Unfold From Cats to Canines

Whereas this isn’t an exhaustive listing, it’ll embrace some medical afflictions that may unfold from an affected cat to a dog. A few of these sicknesses may even unfold to folks, termed zoonotic illnesses, so understanding your cat’s sickness to maintain different cats, your dog, and even people secure is crucial!

1. Fleas

Fleas are small bugs that stay 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 implies they stay 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 might trigger flea allergy dermatitis, secondary pores and skin infections, and even anemia in extreme circumstances. As well as, fleas are vectors, which implies 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 could 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 could discover their fecal materials, which seems as black specks, in a pet’s fur.

Therapy is two-fold. First, the affected animal have to be handled, in addition to another animals that will come into contact with the affected pet. It will work to remove the present fleas and to stop their continued unfold. As a result of species kind (cat vs. dog), age, dimension, weight, and so on. are all necessary parts for remedy, veterinary merchandise are advisable. The second a part of remedy is environmental cleansing remedy resembling 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 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 could actually additionally turn out to be current if an contaminated animal scratches or bites an unsuspecting topic. Whereas the illness is pretty widespread in cats, it could actually 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, resembling canines. Indicators of an infection could embrace fever, vomiting, nostril discharge, swollen lymph nodes, sore muscular tissues, 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 advisable for many who have scientific indicators.

Supportive care resembling fluids or ache remedy could also be wanted in some circumstances. Strict flea and tick management is important in limiting the chance of the unfold of this illness, and extra issues embrace not permitting tough play behaviors resembling biting or scratching, trimming a pet’s nails, having power 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 dog. 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 completed with direct examination of the parasite. In different circumstances, a pattern could also be topic to numerous exams, resembling 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 instances there could also be diarrhea, weight reduction, or a protruding spherical stomach.

Therapy consists of the correct identification of the GI parasite and their subsequent particular remedy. Common, each day cleanup of the fecal materials, utilizing a disinfectant to wash the litterbox on a routine foundation, not feeding uncooked meat diets, and making certain management of different intermediate hosts, in order to have good management of parasites are all necessary parts for prevention as soon as handled.

4. Mite Infestation

Whereas many various kinds of mites are species-specific, some sorts could be contagious between species. Ear mites (Otodectic mange) may unfold from a cat to a dog and sarcoptic mange (additionally referred to as Scabies) are a sort of mite that’s usually extra generally seen in canines, however also can happen in cats. Each of those mites can unfold from one contaminated animal to an uninfected one mostly by way of direct contact.

Widespread indicators embrace intense itching, hair loss, crusting, and secondary infections. Prognosis is most frequently completed by way of sampling areas to look at the mite beneath the microscope. Therapy by way of prescription remedy 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 can also be indicated.

5. Ringworm

Do you know that this isn’t really a worm, however somewhat, 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 outside surroundings, also can unfold by way of direct contact with an contaminated animal resembling one other cat, in addition to from contaminated objects resembling bedding.

Indicators of an an infection embrace 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 folks, a attribute spherical, raised purple lesion is commonly seen, however this isn’t the standard presentation present in cats. Testing to verify ringworm could embrace 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.

Therapy usually consists of a mixture 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 good. As well as, it is necessary for any human petting or coping with the affected animal to scrub their palms 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 may 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 resembling raccoons, bats, coyotes, and so on. are almost certainly the species for rabies to initially happen in.

In lots of elements of the world, a rabid dog could be a widespread source to contaminate others however, extra not too long ago in America, cats are the most prevalent home species contaminated. It’s because some house owners could not vaccinate them for rabies as steadily 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 could embrace extra drooling, bother swallowing, seizures, staggering, paralysis, fearfulness, or aggression.

As soon as indicators are current for rabies, there is no such thing as a remedy out there, however the excellent news is rabies is solely 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 attention-grabbing is that it could actually unfold from one affected species to the opposite. It may be unfold immediately, resembling with grooming one another, but additionally within the air with coughing or sneezing.

Moreover, a contaminated surroundings (environment, bedding, meals bowls, and so on.) can also enable for the unfold. If seen, indicators could embrace 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, remedy 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 isn’t solely foolproof, it could actually assist restrict the severity of the sickness if contracted; as well as, many boarding and grooming amenities require it.

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