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 well nonetheless be nerve-wracking for immunocompromised individuals to welcome an animal into their house. Don’t let the worry of contracting infections from cats deter you from adopting one, although. With the best precautions, cats and immunocompromised sufferers can dwell collectively harmoniously. Learn on to seek out what ailments your kitty could put you in danger for creating, and our recommendations on lowering your threat of contracting stated infections out of your pet.
Our 9 Ideas for Safely Residing With Cats Whereas Immunocompromised:
1. Hold your cat indoors.
Retaining your cat indoors not solely protects him and the wildlife in your space but in addition minimizes the danger of your kitty catching ailments from different animals. In case your pet doesn’t catch infectious ailments, he can not cross them on to you.
2. Know the dangers.
Earlier than you undertake a cat, ask your physician and potential veterinarian about any infections or ailments you might be liable to contracting out of your pet. Understanding what you may probably contract out of your cat will make you extra conscious and on guard.
3. Apply protected meals dealing with.
Whether or not your new kitty is on a uncooked or business weight loss program, you’ll wish to take further care when making ready his meals. Sanitize any surfaces and utensils that contact the meals, and don’t use the identical floor to arrange his meals as yours. Wash your fingers completely with cleaning soap and water after feeding time.
Be aware: 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 sicknesses are usually not spreadable to people, they will 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. Hold your cat’s nails trimmed.
Trim your cat’s nails each week. Attempt to keep away from roughhousing forms of play and conditions that may result in you getting scratched, as cats can infect people with ailments by scratching them.
By no means declaw your cat. This follow 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 good about your litter field duties.
Hold 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.
When you dwell with different individuals, depart the litter field cleansing duties to them. When you dwell alone, put on gloves and a face masks to guard your self from the poop and dirt particles within the litter.
Each 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. Severe ailments can happen in individuals with weakened immune methods, so you should take steps to forestall an infection.
7. Undertake from a good supply.
Don’t choose a cat from the road to deliver into your house. As good as it’s realizing you’re saving a cat from a lifetime of feral dwelling, you realize nothing about this cat’s well being historical past or the place it has even come from.
If you undertake from the breeder, you might be given an actual date of start, well being historical past, and report of vaccinations. The identical applies when adopting from the native shelter. These cats may 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. Hold 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 individuals to have their animals often checked for parasites. Your vet will probably advocate that you just vaccinate your pet towards zoonotic ailments to maintain each you and him protected.
9. Hold 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 evening can hold you protected from random assaults if you least count on them.
What Ailments Are Unfold by Cats?
Cats can unfold a number of ailments that it’s best to educate your self about earlier than signing the adoption papers. Whereas the sicknesses and situations beneath are usually not complete, it offers you a good suggestion of what forms of micro organism your cat might unfold to you and what might occur should you 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 individuals can catch it from their cats. Pet homeowners most frequently get this illness after encountering the feces of an contaminated cat. It’s usually contracted if individuals don’t wash their fingers completely after petting their cats or cleansing their litter field, although open wounds will also be contaminated with the micro organism.
Signs of this illness in individuals embrace:
- Diarrhea
- Fever
- Abdomen cramps
- Nausea
- Vomiting
This illness can typically trigger problems like momentary 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 flea bites, catfights, or blood transfusions. People can contract CSD if an contaminated cat bites or scratches them.
Indicators of CSD embrace:
- Fevers
- Complications
- Malaise
- Fatigue
- Small bump on the scratch web site
The lymph nodes nearest the micro organism entry web site can develop into infected and painful. Immunocompromised people and youngsters youthful than 5 are liable to creating severe problems involving the mind, coronary heart, or eyes.
Cryptosporidiosis (Cryptosporidium spp.)
Cryptosporidium is a microscopic parasite that causes this illness, typically referred to as “crypto.” People will be contaminated with this situation in the event that they contact their mouths after dealing with an contaminated cat.
Indicators of cryptosporidiosis embrace:
- Watery diarrhea
- Cramping
- Belly ache
- Nausea
Giardiasis (Giardia duodenalis)
Giardiasis can unfold by swallowing poop particles that comprise the parasite. This intestinal an infection is commonly seen in vacationers that eat contaminated water, although you possibly can contract it out of your cat.
Indicators of giardiasis embrace:
- 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 will also be brought on by contaminated uncooked meals. You possibly can then be contaminated should you come into contact together with your sick cat’s poop.
Indicators of salmonellosis embrace:
- Diarrhea
- Fever
- Belly cramping
Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA)
MRSA may cause many forms of infections, like pneumonia or pores and skin infections. It spreads between people and animals by contact. Cats not exhibiting any indicators of sickness can nonetheless be carriers of MRSA.
MRSA is quite common in individuals with long-term sicknesses or these with compromised immune methods.
The indicators of this situation will rely on what a part of the physique is contaminated. People with pores and skin infections typically 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.
Closing Ideas
Immunocompromised individuals can reap the advantages of dwelling with pets, supplied they take the right precautions to guard themselves. Quite a few ailments and infections can certainly be handed from cats to people, however there are numerous methods to safeguard oneself towards infections.
We advocate speaking to your medical group earlier than adopting a cat to make sure that is the best 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
In regards to 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 find out about felines, their habits, and their distinctive personalities, Crystal is devoted to creating certain that every one cats and their homeowners know the significance of acutely aware dwelling – and loving!
