Even as they knock everything off your desk, and don’t stick around to help clean up, you still love your cats. But after reading this, you may love their litter box, their shedding issues, and their scratches just a little bit less. And, for those in the know, you have good reason! These felines carry some pretty nasty stuff inside them, and there are risks that have only just been theorized about. I know, I know, I said I would do hookworms in my last issue. And I will! Some cats are filled with these little blood suckers!
Did you know there’s now a link between some mental illnesses, such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, and a parasite found in cat poo? While it may be overall a huge question mark presently, enough evidence has warranted further investigation.
According to www.cbsnews.com, “Cat ownership in childhood has now been reported in three studies to be significantly more common in families in which the child is later diagnosed with schizophrenia or another serious mental illness," the authors reported in a press release.
In a second recent study, A.L. Sutterland from the Department of Psychiatry at the Academic Medical Centre in Amsterdam and colleagues analyzed the findings of 50 published studies to confirm that T. gondii infection is associated with mental disorders. The research was published in the journal Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica. Results showed that an individual infected with T. gondii was almost twice as likely to develop schizophrenia. They also found an association with addiction and obsessive-compulsive disorder, but say that the findings should be approached with caution. "In schizophrenia, the evidence of an association with T. gondii is overwhelming," the authors say in a press release. "These findings may give further clues about how T. gondii infection can possibly [alter] the risk of specific psychiatric disorders."
How could you possibly get mental illness from cats? Well, it’s actually from their poo. This parasite lives in it, and when you’re constantly surrounded by that, it affects you. The parasite, Toxoplasma gondii, already has nasty side effects while the infected shows no symptoms.
“This poop parasite is found in kitties living in developed countries across the world and can infect any other warm-blooded species. Most humans who come in contact with the parasite don’t develop symptoms, but once infected with T. gondii, flu-like symptoms, blindness and even death are possible. Now, studies are showing that persistent exposure to the parasite could also be linked to mental illness.” (peoplepets)
The researchers were also kind enough to share with us how to prevent contracting this parasite, and later on suffering the consequences. “Researchers say there are a few simple steps that cat owners can take to prevent coming in contact with T. gondii. “Children can be protected by keeping their cat exclusively indoors and always covering the sandbox when not in use,” Torrey told CBS News. Cat owners should also make sure to clean out the litter box daily – since T. gondii doesn’t become infectious until one to five days in feces – and avoid feeding felines raw meat.
While this theory is still just that— a big, fat theory—there are diseases cats transmit that we are sure of. Ever heard of cat scratch fever? It’s definitely no schizophrenia, but it isn’t a disease you want to get.
Disease #1: Cat Scratch Fever / Cat Scratch Disease
Background Info: “Cat scratch disease is an infection caused by bacteria known as Bartonella henselae. Although about 40% of cats carry the bacteria in their saliva at some point in their lives, cats that carry Bartonella henselae do not themselves show any signs of illness. Most people contract the disease after being scratched or bitten by a cat,” reported www.Medicinenet.com, calmly reassuring us that if you’ve got a pretty average immune system, you should be fine. Just avoid the claws and teeth! It’s a fun thing to think about Mr. Cuddles carrying a disease like this, regardless of how flu-like it is. One other way to contract it is to let your cat lick an open wound. Since the bacteria lives in their saliva, it’ll transmit that way.
Symptoms and Diagnosis: As I said above, a lot of the symptoms of Cat Scratch Fever are flu-like. If you want fever (obviously), chills, nausea, and fatigue, this disease is for you! But, the best part is that the open wound caused by a scratch, after several days to weeks, will begin to develop potentially pus-filled lesions (CDC). Yummy. Swollen lymph nodes are also a good indicator that someone has contracted the disease. If you’ve got the injury on your arm, the lymph nodes near the armpit will swell up and become tender. “In most kids, swollen lymph nodes are the main symptom of the disease, and the illness often is mild. If kids have other general symptoms, they might include fever (usually less than 101°F or 38.3°C ), fatigue, loss of appetite, headache, rash, sore throat, and an overall ill feeling.
The swollen lymph nodes usually disappear within 2 to 4 months, although sometimes can last much longer. In rare cases, a person might develop other symptoms, including infections of the liver, spleen, bones, joints, or lungs, or a lingering high fever without other symptoms.” (Kidshealth)
Cat Scratch Fever is somewhat hard to diagnose. Its symptoms are very similar to several different common diseases (ergo, flu.) The only real difference is the painful, itchy, burning lesions that appear around the injured area.
“If your doctor believes you may have cat scratch fever, he or she will perform a physical examination to see if your spleen (an organ above your stomach) is enlarged. Cat scratch fever is difficult to diagnose by the symptoms alone. An accurate diagnosis can be made by performing a Bartonella henselae IFA blood test to see if the bacteria are present in your body.” (Healthline)
Transmission: The only originators of the disease are cats, hence the name. Through their claws, teeth, or saliva, they pass the disease onto other animals. That includes us humans. One way to contract it that you might not have thought about is playing with your cat, and then rubbing your eyes. Don’t let them gnaw on your fingers, people! It’s cute till you have bacteria in your eye. As for how your cats get it, “Bartonella is transmitted by fleas, and possibly by ticks. The best protection is to keep your cat free of these pests.” (Peteducation)
Treatment: Usually, this kind of disease will clear up on its own if you’ve got a decent immune system. However, the treatments for this include “For most patients with mild or moderate CSD, only conservative symptomatic treatment is recommended because the disease is self-limited. Administer antipyretics and analgesics as needed (that means anti-swelling and anti-pain). Local heat may be applied to the involved lymph nodes. Occasionally, lymph node aspiration is indicated for pain relief in patients with tender, fluctuant nodes. Use of antibiotics is controversial and not indicated for typical CSD in immunocompetent patients.
The role of corticosteroids in atypical CSD is somewhat controversial. Patients with neuroretinitis, encephalopathy with or without hemiplegia, and acute solid organ transplant rejection have all been treated successfully with a combination of appropriate antibiotics and steroid therapy.” (emedicine)
Disease #2: Hookworms
Background Info: I considered putting up a picture of hookworms, but it’s so gross I didn’t want to put it anywhere near my article for fear of catching it. No, you can’t catch hookworms through your computer—you just feel like you can when you look at the picture. If you want a picture, you can look that up yourself. Just google it.
These parasites find a haven in your furball’s small intestines. From there, they’ll suck the blood right out of your felines. “The specific hookworms that infects cats are the Ancylostoma ceylanicum, and the Ancylostoma tubaeforme worms. In their fourth-stage larvae, these blood-sucking parasites can cause anemia and inflammation of the small intestine. Active worms will leave bite sites, and those sites may continue to seep blood at the site of the lesion. Internal infestation can also result in intestinal blood loss. Hookworm infestation can be fatal, especially in kittens.” (petmd)
Symptoms and Diagnosis: A quick and dirty way to figure out if your cat is infected is to see if they have the worms in their feces. “The hookworm attaches to the lining of the intestinal wall and feeds on your cat’s blood. Its eggs are ejected into the digestive tract and pass into the environment through your cat’s feces.” (petsandparasites) If you suspect something, check the litterbox!
But if for some unknown, yet understandable, reason you don’t want to go digging through your cat’s poo…well, you can just look at them. A cat with hookworms will generally show signs of anemia. They’ll have weight loss, diarrhea that contains blood, a poor diet, and an overall sickly appearance. However, the best way to know if your cat has hookworms is to simply take them to the vet. From there, diagnosis is easy because hookworms are very distinct.
Transmission: Petmd said it best when they wrote, “Hookworm infestations are always caused by ingestion, or by larval penetration of the skin, and are generally found in contaminated water or contaminated environments. The hookworm is shed through the feces, and passed into dirt, where it typically migrates into the body through the feet when an animal walks on the infected soil, sand, or litter. Kittens will usually acquire this condition through their mother's milk.”
And, by the way, you’re an animal too. If you walk outside and step on a hookworm, it’s bad news. That’s why we wear shoes.
Treatment: After a vet checks your cat’s poo for hookworm eggs, and finds that your pet is in fact infected, they’ll recommend some drug that you and I probably can’t pronounce. Medication should continue for about a month, and then said pet will be checked again. When it’s all said and done, you should have that cat checked for worms 1-2 times a year.
Now, I’m not writing any of this to alarm you, or make you want to toss that cat out like it’s diseased...wait…
That simile didn’t work out for me, did it?
Just remember that next time Floofy decides to cuddle with you, she might have some not-so-cuddly things in her system.
Wash your hands and say hi to the vet for me!
Sources:
"'Crazy Cat Lady Syndrome': How Your Cat May Give You A Mental Disorder." Medical Daily. N.p., 08 June 2015. Web. 25 Oct. 2015.
"Cat Parasite Toxoplasma Gondii Linked to Mental Illness, Schizophrenia." CBSNews. CBS Interactive, n.d. Web. 25 Oct. 2015.
"Cat Scratch Fever Symptoms and Treatment on Medicinenet.com." MedicineNet. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 Oct. 2015.
"Cat-Scratch Disease." Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 30 Apr. 2014. Web. 25 Oct. 2015.
"Cat Scratch Fever." Healthline. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 Oct. 2015.
"Cat Scratch Disease." KidsHealth - the Web's Most Visited Site about Children's Health. Ed. Raluca Papadopol. The Nemours Foundation, 01 Dec. 2014. Web. 25 Oct. 2015.
"Bartonellosis: Cat Scratch Disease (CSD)." Bartonellosis: Cat Scratch Disease (CSD). N.p., n.d. Web. 25 Oct. 2015.
"Catscratch Disease Treatment & Management." Catscratch Disease Treatment & Management: Approach Considerations, Antibiotic Treatment, Treatment of Lymph Node Suppuration. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 Oct. 2015.
"Cat Poop Parasite Linked to Schizophrenia in Humans." People. N.p., 08 June 2015. Web. 25 Oct. 2015.
"Hookworms in Cats." Cat Hookworms. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 Oct. 2015.
"Worms in Cats: An Infection of Intestinal Parasites." WebMD. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 Oct. 2015.
"Hookworms in Cats - Causes, Symptoms and Treatment | Feline Parasites." Hookworms in Cats - Causes, Symptoms and Treatment | Feline Parasites. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 Oct. 2015.
"Hookworm Infection in Cats." VCA Animal Hospitals. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 Oct. 2015.
"Treating Hookworms in Your Cat or Dog." Hookworm Treatment for Cats and Dogs. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 Oct. 2015.
Image Credit: http://static.boredpanda.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/funny-wet-cats-36.jpg
