I was watching the news and they had an infectious material and bacteria expert on there discussing how things are spread, and the amount of times a year the normal human is sick and doesnt really know why, or where they got it from. Most of the people werent even sure that they had picked it up from common things around the house and just not being clean. This totally pegged my Weird@ss$hitOhMeter. This video shows what lurks on the bottom of the cats paw and has potential to spread or anything it touches. One of the less glamorous aspects of owning a cat is dealing with his litter box. Its a dirty, unappreciated task, but if certain precautions are not observed, it could also literally make you sick. Cat feces can carry various nasty surprises, which can pass to you or other pets. Bacteria Illness-causing bacteria can appear in litter boxes if your cat is sick or has eaten something tainted with a microscopic baddie. Examples include E. coli and salmonella, which can occur if your cat eats tainted, undercooked meat. Some commercially sold cat foods have been recalled in the past for the presence of this bacteria, so never assume that your cat is free of risk for exposure. Litter boxes are not exactly shining examples of perfect hygiene. Parasites The ugly truth is that most cats will play host to some manner of parasite at some point in their lives. An unsettling thought by itself, but when you consider that the unwelcome guest could spread to you or your other pets by way of your infected cats poop, its enough to turn your stomach. Common parasites such as roundworms or tapeworms typically spread their eggs by way of your cats stool, and can pass from cat to cat through a shared litter box. Your dog could also get the nasty freeloaders if he has access to the litter box and likes to, ahem, snack on the “treats” inside. Toxoplasmosis When talking about litter box nasties, one condition that typically comes to mind is Toxoplasmosis, which is caused by a parasite called Toxoplasma gondii. Pregnant women are often warned to stay away from the litter box -- or in some cases get rid of their cat entirely – to avoid contracting this disease, as it can cause birth defects. Cats contract it by eating infected prey animals or undercooked meat, or by walking through contaminated soil. The parasite typically doesnt cause any problems for the cat, aside from a little diarrhea or other brief period of illness. For two weeks after exposure, your cat can pass the infectious stage of the parasite, meaning that anyone – human or animal – who comes into contact with his feces is vulnerable to infestation. Prevention Unless you train your cat to use the toilet -- which is possible, believe it or not -- hes going to need a litter box, and youre going to have to clean up after him. Avoiding the icky creepy-crawlies in his box is a fairly easy feat as long as you take a few precautions. Scoop or change his box every day to minimize the risk of infection, and wear gloves while cleaning. Thoroughly sanitize the box with a bleach solution to kill anything that may still be hanging around. Keep your cat indoors to keep him from hunting possibly contaminated prey, and thoroughly cook all meat before feeding him. Wash your hands thoroughly after dealing with your cats litter box. Keep him healthy with regular visits to the veterinarian. There are a handful of zoonotic diseases—illnesses that can spread from animals to people. While it’s possible to contract a disease from your cat, it isn’t highly likely. Cleanliness is your best defense: Wear gloves to clean your cats litterbox, and if youre pregnant, avoid the litterbox altogether. Remember to wash your hands after you feed, groom or pet your cat. Read the list of diseases below and more ways to help you stay healthy. Cat Scratch Fever Cats contract bartonellosis, commonly called cat scratch fever, when they ingest an infected flea or its feces. They can pass the infection to you through a bite or scratch. See your physician for antibiotics if symptoms—fever, headaches, swollen lymph glands—persist for more than a few days. To prevent the disease, avoid feral or aggressive cats. And dont let a cat lick an open wound on your body; its saliva will deposit bacteria into the wound. Roundworm Roundworms are common in cats and can spread to humans through infected feces—people with litterbox duties and children who touch contaminated soil are at the greatest risk. In humans, symptoms of roundworm include cough, shortness of breath, abdominal pain, nausea, diarrhea and fatigue. If you are experiencing these symptoms and suspect roundworm, see your doctor for treatment. Toxoplasmosis Toxoplasmosis is a parasitic infection that cats can contract by eating infected raw meat or prey. The parasite lives in their intestines and is expelled in their feces, which is where humans come into contact with it. As with roundworm, people with litterbox duties are at a higher risk for contracting toxoplasmosis. Women who are pregnant should avoid litterbox cleaning, as toxoplasmosis can pass from a mother to her unborn child. Antibiotics help ease a toxoplasmosis infection, but there is currently no known cure. Ringworm Ringworm is a skin fungus that spreads from cats to humans through direct contact. Both cats and humans will develop scaly, bald circles on the skin. Treatment includes an over-the-counter antifungal ointment for humans and a vet-prescribed ointment for cats. Rabies Rabies is passed from cats to humans through bites. If a cat bites you, wash the bite with soap and water and apply an antiseptic. If you are not certain that the cat has a current rabies vaccination, see your doctor immediately to be treated. A series of injections is used to treat the rabies virus. Feline AIDS and Herpes There are a lot of myths about these two diseases, but the truth is they CANNOT be spread to humans. These diseases only affect cats, weakening the immune system and causing upper respiratory infections. There is no cure for FIV. Feline herpes cant be cured, either, but it can be managed by medication. youtu.be/nKAjIV6BXeo
Posted on: Tue, 07 Oct 2014 21:14:46 +0000
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