More than half of the world's inhabitants are owners of domestic cats. And it’s hard to imagine how many four-legged fluffies live in street conditions. Since ancient times, it was believed that cats can heal. And today, one of the most popular areas of alternative medicine, felinotherapy, is based on this theory. However, when communicating with our smaller brothers, we should not forget that domesticated representatives of the cat family are not only affectionate animals, but also possible sources of infection. There is even a separate term for diseases transmitted from animals to humans - zoonoses. We propose to evaluate the list of the main diseases that can be contracted from cats and figure out whether they can be truly dangerous to health.
Felinosis - cat scratch disease
Cat bites and scratches are one of the main ways of transmitting various diseases from animals to humans. However, in modern medicine there is a separate concept - cat scratch disease, called lymphoreticulosis or felinosis. The causative agent of the disease is the bacterium Bartonella. The so-called reservoir for the pathogenic microorganism is most often cats, both domestic and outdoor. The bacterium is considered part of the natural microflora of cats’ mouths and therefore its presence in the body of cats is not a pathology, but a norm.
The route of transmission of the bacterium to humans is contact. It enters the bloodstream through cat scratches on the skin or mucous membranes. It is possible that bacteria may enter the mucous membrane of the eyes. It is worth noting that infection from person to person is impossible. The incubation period of the disease lasts, as a rule, within 3-10 days. The main symptoms of an acute infectious disease caused by the Bartonella bacterium are:
- the appearance of reddish papules on the skin in the area of a healed scratch or bite, observed at the initial stage of development of the disease;
- suppuration of papules, their opening and formation of crusts, accompanied by the development of regional lymphadenitis and general symptoms of intoxication of the body, which can last for 1-3 weeks;
- resorption, sclerosis or suppuration of lymph nodes, characteristic of convalescence - the last stage of development of felinosis.
To determine the disease, it is necessary to immediately consult a doctor at the first symptoms and undergo appropriate laboratory tests.
Why do you dream of cat feces: opinions from dream books
Dream books do not always interpret dreams about feces as a harbinger of wealth:
- Miller. A dream in which a person saw a cat go to the toilet portends an improvement in his well-being.
- Loff. A vision of cat excrement indicates the dreamer's concern for his own material well-being. The sleeper constantly thinks about where to get money and quickly become rich.
- Vanga. The dream foreshadows immoral acts that the dreamer will soon commit.
- Tsvetkov. Such a dream warns of betrayal from a loved one.
- Freud. A vision of a cat's feces promises a meeting with a greedy and selfish person.
Psychologist Sigmund Freud argued that if a person has a dream in which he tastes animal feces, cooks it or puts it in his mouth, then he is very ashamed of his actions - Hasse. The dreamer will feel shame for his past actions.
- French dream book. The sleeper should prepare for quarrels with a loved one.
- Muslim dream book. Cat excrement seen in a dream indicates treason or betrayal.
- Dream book of Felomena. The dream predicts a difficult period in the dreamer's life.
Helminthiasis is the most common danger for “cat people”
Even the cleanest domestic cat can have worms in its body. Close contact between a person and his pet in this case causes the transmission of parasites. Worms can parasitize any organs and tissues of a domesticated feline. The animal itself can become infected with them by eating fresh meat products, communicating with other cats or visiting places where they had previously been, and even simply eating a fly during a home “hunt.”
Most often, roundworms (nematodes), as well as trematodes and cestodes, live in the gastrointestinal tract of cats. If you do not follow basic hygiene rules when cleaning your cat's litter box and food bowls, you can become infected with worms very quickly. Avoiding this will help to avoid contact with strangers and, especially, street animals and regular deworming of the small member of your family.
How to remove the smell of cat urine: general recommendations
Regardless of the reason why a cat leaves urine in the wrong places, the strong and pungent smell of cat urine requires immediate removal, which, although a difficult task for the cat owner, is still quite achievable.
Which method is most effective for cleaning cat urine depends on a number of factors, such as the type of surface the stain is on and how long it has been left undetected. If the puddle is fresh, the first thing to do is take paper towels and try to absorb as much liquid as possible. The less urine remains on the carpet, sofa, linoleum, the easier it will be to completely remove the smell.
Knowing its composition will help you understand how to get rid of the smell of cat urine.
3 main components of urine: - urea (sticky part, soluble in water); — urochrome (derivative of bile pigments, colored part); - uric acid (colorless crystals, poorly soluble in water and ethanol, soluble in alkali solutions, hot sulfuric acid and glycerin).
Many products target the first two parts mentioned above, removing color and some of the odor. Uric acid crystals often simply dry out and become invisible. When they again come under the influence of moisture, sweat, or again urine, the smell returns. This is why in “well-washed” shoes the smell of cat urine returns after the first wear. And places repeatedly marked by your pet smell sharper due to the accumulation of uric acid crystals in them.
Ringworm and its danger to human health
Ringworm, which is part of the category of dermatomycosis, develops when microscopic pathogenic fungi come into contact with the skin and fur of an animal. Dermatomycosis in animals is caused by a total of 18 types of such harmful microorganisms. Most often, domestic cats are susceptible to the development of trichophytosis and microsporia. Infection occurs through contact with other sick animals. The main symptom of the disease in animals is the formation on the body of bald areas with reddish skin, most often located on the face, ears, etc. Unlike microsporia, with trichophytosis the animal experiences abundant exudation (“wetting”) and the appearance of crusts on the skin of the affected areas grayish-whitish hue.
Only a veterinarian can determine the disease in an animal and differentiate it from allergies, dermatitis, demodicosis and a number of other diseases. However, if you encounter a cat with obvious signs of illness on the street, you should avoid contact with it. The likelihood of a person contracting ringworm from a sick animal increases significantly with a weakened immune system. That is why most often the causative agents of dermatomycosis affect the body of children, pregnant women and the elderly. To reduce the risk of infection for your pet and yourself, it is necessary to vaccinate the animal with the appropriate medications that the veterinarian will suggest. Also, to maintain your health, it is necessary to limit your domestic cat’s communication with the outside world.
Reasons why a dog eats cat poop
The following can force a dog to eat cat feces - a lack of any microelements in the animal’s diet, most often enzymes . Try giving your dog special vitamin and mineral supplements (sold in pet stores), and observe. Raw, unpeeled beef tripe also works well. It is advisable to feed it raw, but it should be introduced into the diet with caution, as it often causes stomach upset.
You can cook it slightly, it will be better absorbed. Tripe can be purchased at the market, in regular grocery stores, or at a pet supply store. Pet stores also sell dried tripe and can also be used.
Many dogs are naturally inclined to pick up and eat poop while walking. This directly threatens the health of the pet, since it is unknown what this or that street animal could be sick with. It is difficult to wean a dog from this habit; the problem can be solved radically - by wearing a muzzle when going outside . Small breed dogs should be watched more closely and kept on a leash. You can use the services of professional trainers; they have developed special programs to teach your dog not to pick up.
There is another version of the reason for eating the contents of the cat's litter box - dogs just like the taste ! The fact is that cat food contains more protein than dog food. Protein is responsible for the constituent elements of cells and is essentially a building material that forms the tissues of the entire body. It is not surprising that the dog is so eager to eat these tasty morsels... There are special tablets that are tasty for animals and impart a bitter taste to excrement. And although they are produced to solve the problem of dogs eating their feces, they can be given to a cat by reducing the dosage. These tablets are harmless to both dogs and cats.
It has been noticed that puppies up to about 6-7 months of age and dogs of small breeds are most often prone to eating feces.
Rabies is a viral disease that is life-threatening
Rabies vaccination is mandatory for owners of any pets. The deadly virus mainly affects the body of cats upon contact with sick animals. It is transmitted along with saliva through bites or through abrasions and open wounds on the skin and mucous membranes of an animal or person. The rabies virus attacks the nervous system. The main symptoms of infection in animals are:
- excessive aggressiveness and constant attempts to get closer to the person and make contact with him;
- violation of movement coordination;
- fear of bright light and water;
- spasms of the pharyngeal muscles, as well as the muscles of the muzzle, respiratory system and limbs.
The appearance of such signs in a pet should be a reason to urgently contact a veterinarian. In addition, we should not forget that there is another form of development of the disease - the so-called “silent” rabies. In this case, the animal becomes unnaturally affectionate, also constantly making contact, looking for places where it can hide from the light. In other words, any behavior that is not typical for your pet should be alarming and cause increased monitoring of it.
Dry fog from odor
Don’t know how to kill the smell of cat urine on the floor, or homemade recipes like vinegar, potassium permanganate, or special sprays just don’t help? We know how to remove the smell of cat urine from the floor quickly, reliably and without unnecessary chemicals - this is dry mist. The technology will appeal to everyone who doesn’t know:
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- how to remove the smell of cat urine from the floor;
- how to quickly remove an unpleasant odor and get rid of old stains;
- what to choose so as not to harm the health of your household and save yourself from unnecessary actions.
How to remove cat urine odor from floors using dry fog? It is enough to pour a special liquid into the spraying equipment and spray. The aroma of the product is pleasant, smooth, and can be subtle or distinctly fresh. There is no need to wipe the surfaces after treatment; it is also necessary to ventilate the premises for a long time. Due to its special composition, the liquid does not clog the equipment.
Now you know how to remove the smell of cat urine from the floor quickly, non-toxic, and without harm to people and pets. Possible aromas of liquid for dry fog are vanilla, rose, green apple, cherry, cinnamon, coffee, orange, black ice, anti-tobacco, there are combined floral and citrus compositions. The average processing time for a room is 15-20 minutes. Approximately 1.5 ml of product is required per 1 m3. You can buy liquid in different volumes; it would be most profitable to do so in kits for dry fog. After treatment, even the most pungent and persistent odors go away.
Toxoplasmosis: what is the likelihood of infection?
Toxoplasmosis is a disease caused by protozoa that enter the gastrointestinal tract of cats, mainly through food. Toxoplasmosis is especially dangerous for pregnant women, since the disease can cause miscarriage or disrupt the development of the fetus. The source of the causative agent of toxoplasmosis is animal feces. That is why it is highly not recommended for pregnant women to clean up after their pets, and if they have to do this, it is necessary to observe basic hygiene measures to the maximum.
For cats, toxoplasmosis is often asymptomatic. In humans, the disease can manifest itself in different ways, for example, disorders of the digestive tract, disturbances in the respiratory system, rapid weight loss, increased body temperature, etc. Upon recovery, the body develops immunity to this disease.
Dream details
Cat feces seen in a dream can have a variety of meanings, which depend on the details of the dream.
Where was the excrement?
In a dream, you can find cat waste in the most unexpected place:
- In the bed. The dream foreshadows romantic adventures or the appearance of a child.
- On the walls. Get ready to change your place of residence.
- In shoes. To a successful and easy journey.
- In water. The dreamer's plans are not destined to come true.
- In a plate. The sleeper will receive a salary increase.
- On the ceiling. There is a chance to win the lottery.
Seeing a “heap” in a garden or yard in a dream means the arrival of long-awaited guests, the visit will be pleasant, and the company itself will bring many expensive gifts - On the asphalt. Expect a pleasant surprise.
- In a flower pot. The dream may foretell a divorce between spouses.
- On the steps. Prepare for financial difficulties.
- In a clothes pocket. The dreamer's spouse may cheat on him.
- In the toilet or pit. To a gift in the form of money.
- On the window or on the balcony. An old acquaintance will repay an old debt.
- On the table. The dreamer faces lack of money.
- On the threshold. Justice will soon prevail.
- In tray. The sleeper will receive a bonus.
If in a dream the dreamer felt cat excrement in his own mouth, it means that in reality he will experience a significant increase in well-being. Well-being will be achieved through your own efforts and talents. Other dream books claim that such a vision advises the sleeper to keep his mouth shut more often and not interfere in other people’s affairs.
What cat shit looked like
To more accurately decipher the vision, it is advisable to remember what cat feces looked like:
- With blood. Get ready for global changes that will affect every area of life.
- With parasites. Sleep is a harbinger of a long and serious illness.
- Normal color, without parasites and blood. The dreamer is in good health.
- Liquid. Family life will be overshadowed by quarrels and scandals.
- Fresh. The love affairs of the sleeper will be successful.
- Dried out. The next life of the sleeper will be devoid of troubles.
- Of red color. The dreamer's actions will make him feel ashamed.
- White. The plans will not come true, and the sleeper’s social position will worsen.
- Black color. The vision foreshadows a quarrel with a lover.
- Light brown color. The dreamer expects a connection with a capricious person.
- Dark brown color. The dream is a warning of impending danger.
- Gray color. Sad news awaits the sleeper.
If there were a lot of piles of excrement, it means that the sleeper will soon receive a promotion at work.
What was the cat doing
If a cat was present in the dream, then its actions should also be taken into account when deciphering the vision:
- He got dirty in excrement and stained everything around him. There are envious people around a sleeping person.
- Eats his own poop. The dreamer should be more careful in financial matters; there is a risk of falling for a scammer.
- Shit and then step in the feces with his paws. Ill-wishers are developing plans to harm the dreamer. However, their plans are not destined to come true.
A dream in which a cat shits on the bed foreshadows an early pregnancy for women, and marriage for men.
What can you not get infected from a cat?
In fairness, it is worth noting that cats are not always carriers of diseases. Often the person himself, who is constantly in contact with the outside world, poses a danger to the health of the pet. Not a single “cat” virus, other than rabies, is transmitted to humans. For example, you cannot become infected from an animal with so-called feline AIDS, leukemia, herpes, parvoviruses, coronaviruses and many other diseases to which the body of “our little brothers” is vulnerable.
By having a pet, it is quite possible to reduce the risk of any infections. It is enough to undergo regular examination by a veterinarian, vaccinate the animal, exclude the possibility of its contact with other members of the cat family and follow basic rules of hygiene.
