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 dwelling. Don’t let the worry of contracting infections from cats deter you from adopting one, although. With the correct precautions, cats and immunocompromised sufferers can dwell collectively harmoniously. Learn on to search out what ailments your kitty might put you in danger for growing, and our tips about lowering your danger of contracting mentioned infections out of your pet.
Our 9 Ideas for Safely Dwelling With Cats Whereas Immunocompromised:
1. Hold your cat indoors.
Conserving your cat indoors not solely protects him and the wildlife in your space but in addition minimizes the chance of your kitty catching ailments from different animals. In case your pet doesn’t catch infectious ailments, he can’t go 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 it’s possible you’ll be prone to contracting out of your pet. Realizing what you would probably contract out of your cat will make you extra conscious and on guard.
3. Observe secure 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 arms completely with cleaning soap and water after feeding time.
Be aware: You may think about 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 influence your cat’s immune system. If his immune system isn’t in nice form, he could also be extra prone to growing 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 which may result in you getting scratched, as cats can infect people with ailments 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 chunk 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.
In case you dwell with different individuals, depart the litter field cleansing duties to them. In case you dwell alone, put on gloves and a face masks to guard your self from the poop and dirt particles within the litter.
Every day scooping is important to stop 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 it’s essential to take steps to stop an infection.
7. Undertake from a good supply.
Don’t choose a cat from the road to convey into your property. As good as it’s figuring out you’re saving a cat from a lifetime of feral dwelling, you recognize 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 a precise date of beginning, 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 attainable.
8. Hold an open line of communication along with your vet.
Common veterinary exams guarantee your kitty stays in good well being. It’s particularly necessary for immunocompromised individuals to have their animals commonly checked for parasites. Your vet will doubtless suggest that you simply vaccinate your pet in opposition to zoonotic ailments to maintain each you and him secure.
9. Hold your cat out of your bed room.
Having separate sleeping quarters is a good suggestion for an immunocompromised particular person. People are very susceptible when asleep, so conserving your kitty out of your bed room at evening can hold you secure from random assaults whenever you least anticipate them.
What Ailments Are Unfold by Cats?
Cats can unfold a number of ailments that it is best to educate your self about earlier than signing the adoption papers. Whereas the diseases and circumstances under will not be complete, it gives 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 arms 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 individuals embrace:
- Diarrhea
- Fever
- Abdomen cramps
- Nausea
- Vomiting
This illness can generally 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 website
The lymph nodes nearest the micro organism entry website can grow to be infected and painful. Immunocompromised of us and youngsters youthful than 5 are prone to growing critical 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 might 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
- Stomach ache
- Nausea
Giardiasis (Giardia duodenalis)
Giardiasis can unfold by swallowing poop particles that include the parasite. This intestinal an infection is usually seen in vacationers that devour contaminated water, although you’ll be able to contract it out of your cat.
Indicators of giardiasis embrace:
- Gentle to extreme diarrhea
- Gasoline
- Abdomen cramps
- Dehydration
Salmonellosis (Salmonella spp.)
Cats generally contract salmonellosis after consuming birds or rodents contaminated with the micro organism. It can be brought on by contaminated uncooked meals. You may then be contaminated should you come into contact along with your sick cat’s poop.
Indicators of salmonellosis embrace:
- Diarrhea
- Fever
- Stomach cramping
Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA)
MRSA could 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 diseases or these with compromised immune methods.
The indicators of this situation will rely on what a part of the physique is contaminated. Of us 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 particular person may also have a fever.
Ultimate Ideas
Immunocompromised individuals can reap the advantages of dwelling with pets, offered they take the correct precautions to guard themselves. Quite a few ailments and infections can certainly be handed from cats to people, however there are lots of methods to safeguard oneself in opposition to infections.
We suggest speaking to your medical workforce earlier than adopting a cat to make sure that is the correct pet for you. Cats and immunocompromised sufferers can work so long as you observe your physician’s recommendation and take sure precautions.
Featured Picture Credit score: Nitiphonphat, Shutterstock
In regards to the writer
Cat mother to Ivy – a feisty little rescue kitten that’s her one and solely youngster. 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 teach the general public about all the things, there’s to learn about felines, their habits, and their distinctive personalities, Crystal is devoted to creating certain that each one cats and their homeowners know the significance of acutely aware dwelling – and loving!
