Can You Get Worms From Your Cat?"It IS possible to get certain worms from your cat..."Getting worms from your cat is one of the very minimal risks you have when taking care of your cat. Cat worms that can be transmitted to humans, as well as other animals, are roundworms, hookworms, and tapeworms. Although not technically a worm, ringworm can also be passed from your cat to you. Roundworms, hookworms and tapeworms are parasites that can be found in your cat's feces. Ringworm is a fungus that can be passed to you from an infected cat's skin or fur. Roundworms Cat roundworms (Toxocara cati) transmitted to people can be mild and long-lasting, but are rarely fatal. Roundworms can live in your cat's small intestine, so these worms are sometimes referred to as "intestinal roundworms." The roundworm infection to humans comes from being exposed to this worm's eggs, usually found in your cat's feces. Roundworm is most often seen in toddlers who play where a cat has defecated, then puts his or her unwashed hands in his or her mouth. Roundworm eggs incubate for several weeks in the ground or kitty litter (or sandbox) where your cat defecates. To be infected, the child (or other person) would have to swallow the eggs. This is why it's a good idea to always have children wash their hands after playing with or around pets. It's also a good idea for you! Roundworm from dogs is more common than roundworm from cats. It's difficult to diagnose and treat this type of infection in people. Hookworms Cat hookworms (A. braziliense) are parasites similar to roundworms. Technically, hookworms are a type of roundworms. These worms from your cat can get into human bodies from the infectious larvae of the worm. The larvae can be found in your cat's feces, and it is contact with cat feces that can pass hookworms to you. The larvae directly penetrate your skin at the point of contact. The contact is usually with feces-contaminated soil, sand, or kitty litter (often through bare feet). Once the larvae penetrate human skin, they cause an intense inflammatory reaction called "cutaneous (or dermal) larval migrans" (CLM). Hookworms will move around several inches under your skin and eventually die. Your skin inflammation should end after several months or weeks, but in the meantime, it can be extremely uncomfortable. Tapeworms People can get tapeworm (Dipylidium caninum) from cats by ingesting fleas; not by directly ingesting the tapeworm. Fleas are the intermediate hosts of the tapeworm. Fleas eat the tapeworm eggs; then the tapeworm egg grows into a larval stage in the fleas. You would then have to ingest a flea in order to get tapeworm. It's the larvae of the tapeworm that grows into a tapeworm and is infective to people (and other animals). If you were to accidentally ingest the eggs (called proglottids) of the tapeworm, the eggs would pass through your digestive tract and be eliminated through the feces. It is possible for humans to ingest fleas when they are nuzzling with their cats or on the rare occasion of your cat licking your mouth while a flea is on her tongue. As you can see, it's pretty hard for you to get tapeworm from your cat. Most infections occur in very young children. Ringworm Unlike other worms from your cats, ringworm is not technically a cat worm. It is caused by several different types of fungi. Ringworm is a skin and scalp disease that you can easily get from your infected cat (or other pet) merely by touching their infected skin or fur. Signs that your cat has tapeworm include losing patches of fur and a lesion that is often ring-shaped and itchy. In some cats, especially long-haired cats, you cannot tell they have ringworm. In humans, ringworm will also be ring-shaped. It will be a reddish and itchy rash and can be dry and scaly or wet and crusty. Humans can also get ringworm from other infected people or from personal items that have been touched by the fungus. Ringworm is treated in people by topical and oral medications. How To Protect Yourself from Worms from Your Cat Keep it clean! This is the best advice to protect yourself from worms from your cat. Wash your hands after petting an animal or cleaning the litter box. If you are in areas where animals may defecate (such as the beach), be sure to wear shoes and/or wash your feet as soon as possible. Teach children that it is dangerous to eat soil or dirt and that they should wash their hands with soap and water after playing with pets. Effective flea control is also an essential part of preventing tapeworm in your cat and you. Related Articles: Worms in Cats - Here are the common types of worms your cat can get. Common Cat Health Problems - Article about common feline health issues you should be aware of when you care for a kitty. From Worms from Your Cat to My Healthy Cat home
|
