Final Up to date on: October 24, 2023 by Crystal Uys
Whereas numerous research tout the bodily and psychological advantages of pet possession, it may possibly nonetheless be nerve-wracking for immunocompromised folks to welcome an animal into their dwelling. Don’t let the worry of contracting infections from cats deter you from adopting one, although. With the proper precautions, cats and immunocompromised sufferers can dwell collectively harmoniously. Learn on to search out what illnesses your kitty might put you in danger for creating, and our tips about decreasing your threat of contracting stated infections out of your pet.
Our 9 Ideas for Safely Dwelling With Cats Whereas Immunocompromised:
1. Preserve your cat indoors.
Protecting your cat indoors not solely protects him and the wildlife in your space but additionally minimizes the chance of your kitty catching illnesses from different animals. In case your pet doesn’t catch infectious illnesses, he can’t move them on to you.
2. Know the dangers.
Earlier than you undertake a cat, ask your physician and potential veterinarian about any infections or illnesses chances are you’ll be liable to contracting out of your pet. Understanding what you might doubtlessly contract out of your cat will make you extra conscious and on guard.
3. Observe protected meals dealing with.
Whether or not your new kitty is on a uncooked or industrial weight loss program, you’ll wish to take additional care when getting ready his meals. Sanitize any surfaces and utensils that contact the meals, and don’t use the identical floor to organize his meals as yours. Wash your fingers completely with cleaning soap and water after feeding time.
Notice: You would possibly contemplate feeding solely commercially ready meals and treats over uncooked meals, as you and your pet can get sick from uncooked meat.
4. Have your pet examined.
Have your cat examined for feline immunodeficiency and feline leukemia viruses. Whereas these diseases will not be spreadable to people, they’ll impression your cat’s immune system. If his immune system isn’t in nice form, he could also be extra liable to creating different infections that can unfold to people.
5. Preserve your cat’s nails trimmed.
Trim your cat’s nails each week. Attempt to keep away from roughhousing sorts of play and conditions that may result in you getting scratched, as cats can infect people with illnesses by scratching them.
By no means declaw your cat. This observe is inhumane and never efficient at stopping accidents. Cats with out claws will flip to biting to guard themselves in the event that they really feel threatened. A cat chew is much more dangerous to people than a scratch.
6. Be sensible about your litter field duties.
Preserve your cat’s litter field removed from areas of the house the place you’ll be consuming. Think about using disposable pan liners that may be tossed with each litter change.
If you happen to dwell with different folks, depart the litter field cleansing duties to them. If you happen to dwell alone, put on gloves and a face masks to guard your self from the poop and mud particles within the litter.
Day by day scooping is crucial to forestall a toxoplasmosis an infection. Toxoplasmosis is an an infection brought on by the Toxoplasma gondii parasite. People can get it by consuming undercooked meat or coming into contact with cat feces. Critical illnesses can happen in folks with weakened immune methods, so it’s essential to take steps to forestall an infection.
7. Undertake from a good supply.
Don’t choose a cat from the road to carry into your house. As good as it’s understanding you’re saving a cat from a lifetime of feral residing, you already know nothing about this cat’s well being historical past or the place it has even come from.
While you undertake from the breeder, you might be given an actual date of beginning, well being historical past, and file of vaccinations. The identical applies when adopting from the native shelter. These cats can have had a once-over by the veterinarian, so that you’ll know as a lot about their well being historical past as potential.
8. Preserve an open line of communication together with your vet.
Common veterinary exams guarantee your kitty stays in good well being. It’s particularly essential for immunocompromised folks to have their animals commonly checked for parasites. Your vet will doubtless suggest that you simply vaccinate your pet towards zoonotic illnesses to maintain each you and him protected.
9. Preserve your cat out of your bed room.
Having separate sleeping quarters is a good suggestion for an immunocompromised individual. People are very susceptible when asleep, so retaining your kitty out of your bed room at night time can preserve you protected from random assaults if you least anticipate them.
What Illnesses Are Unfold by Cats?
Cats can unfold a number of illnesses that you need to educate your self about earlier than signing the adoption papers. Whereas the diseases and circumstances beneath will not be complete, it provides you with a good suggestion of what sorts of micro organism your cat might unfold to you and what might occur for those who get contaminated.
Campylobacteriosis (Campylobacter spp.)
This illness is unfold in a number of methods, however for the needs of our article, we’ll simply speak about how folks can catch it from their cats. Pet house owners most frequently get this illness after encountering the feces of an contaminated cat. It’s usually contracted if folks don’t wash their fingers completely after petting their cats or cleansing their litter field, although open wounds can be contaminated with the micro organism.
Signs of this illness in folks embody:
- Diarrhea
- Fever
- Abdomen cramps
- Nausea
- Vomiting
This illness can typically trigger problems like non permanent paralysis and even unfold to the bloodstream, inflicting a life-threatening an infection.
Cat Scratch Illness (Bartonella henselae)
Cat scratch illness (CSD) infects cats by means of flea bites, catfights, or blood transfusions. People can contract CSD if an contaminated cat bites or scratches them.
Indicators of CSD embody:
- Fevers
- Complications
- Malaise
- Fatigue
- Small bump on the scratch website
The lymph nodes nearest the micro organism entry website can turn into infected and painful. Immunocompromised people and youngsters youthful than 5 are liable to creating critical problems involving the mind, coronary heart, or eyes.
Cryptosporidiosis (Cryptosporidium spp.)
Cryptosporidium is a microscopic parasite that causes this illness, usually known as “crypto.” People could be contaminated with this situation in the event that they contact their mouths after dealing with an contaminated cat.
Indicators of cryptosporidiosis embody:
- Watery diarrhea
- Cramping
- Belly ache
- Nausea
Giardiasis (Giardia duodenalis)
Giardiasis can unfold by swallowing poop particles that include the parasite. This intestinal an infection is commonly seen in vacationers that eat contaminated water, although you’ll be able to contract it out of your cat.
Indicators of giardiasis embody:
- Gentle to extreme diarrhea
- Fuel
- Abdomen cramps
- Dehydration
Salmonellosis (Salmonella spp.)
Cats typically contract salmonellosis after consuming birds or rodents contaminated with the micro organism. It can be brought on by contaminated uncooked meals. You’ll be able to then be contaminated for those who come into contact together with your sick cat’s poop.
Indicators of salmonellosis embody:
- Diarrhea
- Fever
- Belly cramping
Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA)
MRSA could cause many sorts of infections, like pneumonia or pores and skin infections. It spreads between people and animals by means of contact. Cats not exhibiting any indicators of sickness can nonetheless be carriers of MRSA.
MRSA is quite common in folks with long-term diseases or these with compromised immune methods.
The indicators of this situation will rely upon what a part of the physique is contaminated. People with pores and skin infections usually see swelling, heat, ache, and redness within the affected areas. There could also be drainage occurring (pus), and the contaminated individual may additionally have a fever.
Remaining Ideas
Immunocompromised folks can reap the advantages of residing with pets, offered they take the right precautions to guard themselves. Quite a few illnesses and infections can certainly be handed from cats to people, however there are numerous methods to safeguard oneself towards infections.
We suggest speaking to your medical crew earlier than adopting a cat to make sure that is the proper pet for you. Cats and immunocompromised sufferers can work so long as you comply with your physician’s recommendation and take sure precautions.
Featured Picture Credit score: Nitiphonphat, Shutterstock
Concerning the creator
Cat mother to Ivy – a feisty little rescue kitten that’s her one and solely baby. For now! All through her life, she has been launched to the particular love that may be discovered within the bond with a cat. Having owned a number of felines, she is greater than sure that their love is unmatched, unconditional and in contrast to some other. With a ardour to coach the general public about every little thing, there’s to learn about felines, their conduct, and their distinctive personalities, Crystal is devoted to creating positive that every one cats and their house owners know the significance of aware residing – and loving!
