In most cases, your cat can come down with an illness, and this illness will only affect your pet. Then there are those rare diseases that can be transferred from your pet to you. These types of diseases are known as zoonotic diseases, and they can cause serious complications in humans, especially in children. However, keep in mind that the likelihood of catching a disease from your cat is very rare. Transmission of a disease can only occur through contact with saliva, or mishandling of feces from your pet. Sometimes you can also get infected if your cat contaminates food or water.
Hookworms
A hookworm is a type of parasitic roundworm. Cats that become infected with the parasite will pass eggs in their stool. The eggs will hatch and develop into larvae. You can become infected by coming into contact with contaminated dirt or through your cat's litter. Once you become infected, the hookworm larvae can cause serious symptoms. According to the Centers for Disease Control, hookworm larvae can cause painful and itchy skin problems as they move throughout your skin. Other effects can include abdominal cramping, intestinal bleeding and swelling of the abdomen.
Toxocariasis
Toxocariasis are intestinal parasitic worms caused by either toxocara canis or toxocara cati. Toxocara cati causes infections in cats, while the other causes infections in dogs. The brain, liver and lungs can become susceptible to damage. Infections can cause permanent eye, tissue and neurological damage, but such cases are very rare. According to the Centers for Disease Control, eggs can become ingested through infected soil or contaminated surfaces. Children are more susceptible to infection. Only 700 people a year infected with toxocariasis will develop eye damage that results in permanent vision loss.
Tapeworms
The infection that causes tapeworm is known as Dipylidium canium. Your cat can ingest a flea that is carrying the larvae of a tapeworm while grooming. The worms can grow to be relatively large, and break off into segments in your cat's stool. You can become infected with a tapeworm by accidentally ingesting a flea as well. Children are more apt to get an infection. Once you do get an infection, you will begin to pass stools with segments that look like rice. An infection can also cause diarrhea.
Treatment
If you suspect that your cat is infected with a worm, get prompt veterinarian treatment. If you allow your cat to go outdoors, make sure to give it regular flea treatments. This can effectively prevent and protect you and your family from a possible infection.
Prevention/Solution
Try to keep your cat indoors as much as possible. Cats who roam can dig into dirt, get into garbage or catch small animals that can be infected with diseases. Never allow your children to play in uncovered sandboxes. Cats can defecate into a sandbox and pass larvae into play areas. A female hookworm can lay up to 100,000 eggs in day. According to the Centers for Disease Control, these eggs can remain in the soil for many years. Make sure you wash your hands and the hands of your children after playing outdoors, or after playing with your pet. Never let your child eat dirt. Always bag your cat's litter and dispose of it as soon as possible.
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