Zoonosis-Cats

Zoonosis:  a disease communicable from animals to humans under natural conditions


I had a client express to me the other day that she felt that fleas and intestinal worms were 'normal' for outdoor cats.  I kindly provided some education about parasites, that they are not only harmful to the pet, but many are also zoonotic.   Sooo, that being said lets talk a little bit about fleas.  Not only can they cause death in your feline friend due to disease(Haemobartonella) but they also spread disease to humans (Cat Scratch Fever).   It is felt with Cat Scratch Fever that the cat spreads disease by scratching a person and leaving some of the flea poop/dirt in the cut.  Often the flea poop/dirt is found in the retracted nails of the cat.  Here is a link from the CDC about CSF;  CDC cat scratch fever


Enlarged lymph node resulting
 from cat scratch disease.
Used with permission of NEJM.

 We also have to worry about transmission of intestinal parasites from cats to people.  There is the dipylidium-tape worm that is spread by fleas.  It can infect humans in the same way it infects cats, by actually eating the flea.  This is most likely to occur in small children, kissing and loving on the cat.  The other concern for intestinal parasites is roundworms.  I see this very commonly in pets, when they are not on a monthly heartworm prevention with dewormer.  In people it can cause organ damage and eye disease.

Tapeworms:  CDC

Roundworms: CDC

All Zoonotic Diseases-Cats:  CDC

Here are some really good pics of roundworm infections, I'm not going to post them on my blog, because frankly human stuff grosses me out a bit...  So just click on the link and look for yourself.  Roundworm pics   All of these diseases could be easily prevented in the cat by providing monthly flea and intestinal parasite control.  There are several products available, your veterinarian should be able to assist you in finding one for your cat.  

Please don't allow any of this to make you scared of your cat or dog.  I just want to educate people, so they know why we recommend the things we do as Veterinarians.  Ex: yearly stool checks, monthly heartworm and flea control, yearly bloodwork, etc.  It is to help keep you and your pet healthy and safe.