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Statistics say indoor cats live at least twice as long as outdoor cats. This is mainly due to the fact that they have a lower risk of suffering diseases and infections that put their lives at risk. However, what happens when the desire is to adopt a cat that has lived on the street? In this case, many doubts arise, especially regarding the diseases that a stray cat can bring with it.
Don't let this uncertainty stop you from helping a stray cat who needs your help. Before making the right decision, at PeritoAnimal we invite you to inform yourself with this article about the diseases that stray cats can transmit to humans.
toxoplasmosis
Toxoplasmosis is one of the contagious diseases that stray cats can transmit and that concern most human beings, especially pregnant women, who, in addition to people with compromised immune systems, are the most prone. It is transmitted by a parasite called toxoplasma gondii which is in feline feces. It is one of the most common parasitic conditions that affects both cats and humans, with cats being the main guest.
Toxoplasmosis is a disease that lacks information. In fact, it is considered that a good number of people who are companions of cats will have contracted the disease without knowing it, since many of them do not have symptoms. The only real way to get this disease is ingesting the feces of the infected cat, even if a minimal amount. You may think that nobody does this, but when you clean the litter boxes, you sometimes end up with some fecal matter on your hands, which then unconsciously puts you in your mouth with your fingers or eating food with your hands, without first. to wash.
To avoid toxoplasmosis you should wash your hands right after cleaning the litter box and make it a habit. In many cases, treatment is usually not necessary, but when it is recommended it consists of taking antibiotics and antimalarial drugs.
Anger
Anger is a viral infection of the central nervous system that can be transmitted by animals such as dogs and cats. To get it, the infected animal's saliva must enter the person's body. Rabies is not spread by touching a rabid cat, this can happen through a bite or if the animal licks an open wound. It is one of the most worrying diseases that stray cats can transmit because it can be fatal. However, this happens only in extreme cases, rabies is usually treatable if medical attention is received as soon as possible.
If a person is bitten by a cat with this condition, they will not always get the infection. And if the wound is washed carefully and immediately with soap and water for several minutes, the chances of contagion are reduced. In fact, the chances of getting this disease from a stray cat are very low.
To avoid any risk of biting, do not try to pet or welcome a stray cat, without it giving you all the signs that it accepts your approach. A feline open to human contact will be cheerful and healthy, will purr and try to rub against your legs in a friendly way.
Cat scratch disease
This is a very rare disease, but fortunately it is benign and does not need treatment. Cat scratch disease is a infectious condition caused by a bacterium of the genus Bartonella. This bacteria is present in the cat's blood, but not in all. In general, felines are infected by the fleas and ticks that carry the bacteria. This "fever", as some people call this disease, is not a cause for concern unless you are a person with a compromised immune system.
We must not reject cats because of this. Cat scratch disease is not a condition unique to these animals. A person can also become infected by scratches from dogs, squirrels, a scratch with barbed wire and even thorny plants.
To avoid any likelihood of being infected, only touch the stray cat after it has given clear signs of acceptance. If you pick him up and he bites or scratches you, quickly wash the wound very well to prevent any infection.
Ringworm
the ringworm It is part of the diseases that stray cats can transmit to humans and it is a very common and contagious, but not serious, bodily infection caused by a fungus that looks like a circular red spot. Animals such as cats can be affected by ringworm and can infect humans. However, this is not a compelling reason not to adopt a stray cat.
While one person can get ringworm from a feline, the probability of getting it from another person is higher in places such as locker rooms, swimming pools or damp spaces. The application of topical fungicidal drugs is usually sufficient as a treatment.
Feline immunodeficiency virus and feline leukemia
FIV (the equivalent of feline AIDS) and feline leukemia (retrovirus) are both immunodeficiency diseases that damage the cat's immune system, making it difficult to fight other diseases. Although humans don't get these diseases, it is important to mention that if you have other cats at home, they will be exposed and at risk of becoming infected if you take a stray cat home. Before taking this step, at PeritoAnimal we recommend that you take it to your veterinarian to rule out any type of contagious infection, especially the feline immunodeficiency virus and feline leukemia. And in case you become infected, we advise you to go ahead with your decision to adopt it, but taking the appropriate preventive measures to avoid infecting other cats, as well as providing them with the proper treatment.
This article is for information purposes only, at PeritoAnimal.com.br we are not able to prescribe veterinary treatments or perform any type of diagnosis. We suggest that you take your pet to the veterinarian in case it has any type of condition or discomfort.