If you have a sick cat, you may be worried that your cat could pass the same disease on to an unsuspecting dog. The short answer is: It depends on the disease, but certainly some diseases can be transmitted from cats to dogs. However, while this can happen, it may be reassuring to know that the majority of diseases are species specific and cannot spread from one species to another.
Below, we’ll take a closer look at some of the medical problems that can be transmitted from cats to dogs, helping to arm pet owners with knowledge on the issue.
5 diseases that cats can transmit to dogs
This is not an exhaustive list, but it does include some diseases that can be transmitted from an infected cat to a dog. Some of these diseases are called zoonotic, meaning they can also be transmitted to humans, so it’s essential to understand what diseases your cat may have in order to keep other cats, dogs, and even humans safe.
1. Fleas
Fleas are tiny insects that live by feeding on the blood of animals. There are over thousands of different species of fleas, but the most common flea found on both cats and dogs is the cat flea. Ctenocephalides felis felis. These parasites are ectoparasites, meaning they live outside of the host but get nutrients from it. They are wingless, but have impressive jumping ability despite their small size.
Most commonly, these insects cause itching, discomfort, and irritation in their hosts, and can lead to flea allergy dermatitis, secondary skin infections, and even anemia in severe cases. Additionally, fleas are vectors and can transmit pathogens from themselves to their hosts. Examples of fleas that can transmit diseases include bubonic plague, cat scratch disease, and tapeworms.
Signs of fleas include excessive scratching, licking, itching and hair loss. When inspecting an infested host, you may actually see fleas moving around, but this is not always the case – there may be no evidence of fleas at all, or you may find flea excrement which appears as dark specks in your pet’s fur.
Treatment is in two parts. First, the infected animal must be treated, as well as any other animals that may come into contact with the infected pet. This will eliminate current fleas and prevent them from spreading. Species type (cat vs dog), age, size, weight, etc. are all important factors in treatment, so the use of veterinary products is recommended. The second part of treatment is environmental cleaning, including vacuuming, washing, and potential pest control measures to prevent cross-infection and reinfection.
2. Bartonellosis
Bartonellosis, Commonly known as cat scratch disease or cat scratch fever, this disease is a bacterial infection caused by bacteria. Bartonella henselae. The infection is most often transmitted to animals through the bloodstream by infected fleas or ticks, but can also occur when an infected animal scratches or bites an unsuspecting human. The disease is most common in cats, but can also affect other animals, including dogs, humans, and a variety of domestic and wild animals.
Many infected cats are asymptomatic (show no signs of infection), but this is not always the case in other species, such as dogs. Signs of infection include fever, vomiting, runny nose, swollen lymph nodes, muscle pain, loss of appetite, and inflammation of many internal organs, including the heart and eyes. Diagnosis relies on laboratory tests that can determine if the bacteria is present in the blood, and antibiotic treatment is recommended for those with clinical signs.
In some cases, supportive care such as hydration and painkillers may be required. Strict flea and tick control is essential to reduce the potential spread of this disease. Other considerations include preventing rough play such as biting and scratching, clipping your pet’s nails, providing areas for them to release energy, and keeping cats indoors only.
3. Gastrointestinal parasites
There are a number of internal gastrointestinal (GI) parasites that can initially infect cats and then spread to dogs. Roundworms, hookworms, and tapeworms, commonly referred to as “worms,” are common culprits, but other types of parasites also exist, such as the protozoan parasite Giardia.
In some cases, tests may be done to directly detect the parasite, or samples may be subjected to various tests, such as examining infected fecal samples for eggs under a microscope or a snap test. Infected pets may not show symptoms, but may have diarrhea, weight loss, or a protruding round abdomen.
Treatment consists of proper identification of the gastrointestinal parasite followed by specific treatment. Clean up feces regularly and daily with disinfectant. toilet By not routinely feeding raw meat and ensuring control of other intermediate hosts, Good parasite control All of these, if treated, are important components of prevention.
4. Tick infestation
Mite types vary by species, although some types can be transmitted between species. Ear mites (ototic mites) can be transmitted from cats to dogs, and sarcoptic mange (also called mange) is a type of mite commonly found in dogs but can also occur in cats. Both of these mites are transmitted from an infected animal to an uninfected one, most commonly by direct contact.
Common symptoms include intense itching, hair loss, scabbing, and secondary infection. Diagnosis is most often made by taking a sample to examine for mites under a microscope. Treatment is also possible with prescription medications that kill certain types of mites. If there is a secondary infection, antibiotics may be needed, as well as medicated baths and ear cleanings.
5. Ringworm
Did you know it’s not actually a bug, but a fungus? This skin disease is also known as dermatophytosis, and is caused by a fungus (dermatophyte). Originally found in outdoor environments, fungal spores can also be spread through direct contact with infected animals, such as other cats, or through contaminated objects, such as bedding.
Signs of infection include areas of hair loss with redness, scaling, or crusting. Infected animals may also exhibit excessive grooming and scratching behavior. Additionally, the nail beds may become infected and the nails may become brittle or break. In humans, the characteristic round, raised red lesions are common, but this is not the typical presentation seen in cats. Tests to confirm ringworm include a Wood’s lamp (which fluoresces under light depending on the infection), a microscopic examination to look for fungal spores, fungal culture, dermatophyte DNA PCR testing of hair, or evaluation of a biopsy sample.
Treatment often consists of a combination of oral antifungal medications and topical therapy, as well as decontamination and cleaning of the environment to prevent reinfection with fungal spores. Ideally, if possible, infected cats should be isolated from uninfected animals until the cat is cured. Additionally, it is important that anyone who pets or handles infected animals wash their hands after contact.
6. Rabies
Rabies is a viral disease that affects the nervous system of any mammal. Transmission occurs through the saliva of an infected animal, most commonly through a bite, but can also occur when an infected animal’s saliva is transmitted to other animals through an open wound or through the eyes, nose, or mouth of another animal. Wild animals such as raccoons, bats, and coyotes are the species in which rabies is most likely to first appear.
In many parts of the world, rabies-infected dogs are a common source of infection for other people, but more recently in the United States, cats have become the most common The most common domestic species They may be infected because owners don’t vaccinate cats against rabies as often as dogs and because cats may be exposed to rabies-infected wild animals. In infected animals, the virus travels through the nerves to the brain, and signs of infection include excessive salivation, difficulty swallowing, seizures, staggering, paralysis, fear and aggression.
There is no treatment for rabies once the signs appear, but the good news is that it is completely preventable with proper vaccination.
7. Kennel Cough
Bordetella bronchisepticaAlso known as kennel cough, this highly contagious bacterium causes inflammation of the trachea and bronchi, resulting in respiratory disease. Although it is commonly found in dogs, this bacterium can infect both dogs and cats, and what’s even more interesting is that: From affected species to other speciesAlthough infection can occur directly through mutual grooming, it can also spread through the air when people cough or sneeze.
Additionally, contaminated environments (surroundings, bedding, dishes, etc.) can also lead to the spread of infection. Symptoms, if present, include coughing, sneezing, discharge from the eyes and nose, fever, loss of appetite, and lethargy. In more severe cases, breathing difficulties may also be present. Treatment, if required, involves the use of specific antibiotics and pet-safe cough suppressants, but in rare cases of severe illness, hospitalization may be required for further treatment.
While vaccines are not foolproof, they can help limit the severity of the disease if you do get it, and many boarding and grooming facilities require vaccinations.
Prevention tips
- AwarenessKnowledge is powerful, and understanding will allow you to control the situation for your pet’s benefit.
- Practice good hygiene habits. This includes washing your hands regularly after interacting with your pet, plus regularly washing or cleaning bedding and materials your pet frequents or uses, which may also help control some diseases between species.
- Regular cleaning. Clean up cat waste regularly (so your dog doesn’t eat it).
- Preventive care. Proper preventative care can help prevent many diseases, so work with your veterinarian to ensure your pet is properly vaccinated and given proper prevention against fleas, intestinal worms, and other parasites.
- Veterinarian visit. Any health concerns or medical changes should be investigated immediately.
- Stay safe. If applicable, isolate sick pets from other pets until they have recovered. Ensure proper cleaning procedures are in place that are safe and effective against potentially infectious pathogens.
Conclusion
While most pet diseases are specific to a particular species, some can be transmitted from cats to dogs, which is why it’s important to have awareness, proper preventive care, and prompt medical treatment as essential parts of your toolkit for some specific health conditions to keep your pet in tip-top health.
Featured image credit: Reshetnikov_art, Shutterstock
