Cats and critters

[Bobby]

I've seen that before - such a spoilt little deer
but eventually it returns to its mother.

[Black Orchid]

[Bobby]

The poor pussy was scared.

[Juliar]

Cats carry diseases that can be deadly to humans, and it’s costing Australia $6 billion every year
10:00pm, Oct 18, 2020 Updated: 10:31pm, Oct 18



Your feline friend could be making you – and the country – very sick.

Toxoplasmosis, cat roundworm and cat scratch disease are caused by pathogens that depend on cats – pets or feral – for part of their life cycle. But these diseases can be passed to humans, sometimes with severe health consequences.

In our study published today in the journal Wildlife Research, we looked at the rates of these diseases in Australia, their health effects, and the costs to our economy.

Based on findings from a large number of Australian and international studies, Australian hospital data and information from the Australian Bureau of Statistics, we estimate many thousands of people in Australia fall ill or sustain a minor injury as a result of cat-dependent diseases each year.

Our estimations suggest more than 8500 Australians are hospitalised and about 550 die annually from causes linked to these diseases.

We calculated the economic cost of these pathogens in Australia at more than $6 billion per year based on the costs of medical care for affected people, lost income from time off work, and other related expenses.


Read on at your peril

https://thenewdaily.com.au/life/wellbei ... 2020201019

[Black Orchid]

Don't be so dramatic. You can catch a disease from every animal, bird, insect on the planet. Most people who have ever come into contact with cats have antibodies and are immune.

It's also carried by sheep, goats, pigs, cattle and poultry.

[Juliar]

But it is those susceptible people who need to know. And it is not only cats you need to know about.


Diseases associated with cats
Cat scratch disease.
Roundworms.
Toxoplasmosis.
Rabies.
Campylobacteriosis.
Salmonellosis.
Cryptosporidiosis.
Giardiasis.

Research has shown that cats can provide emotional support, improve moods, and contribute to the overall morale of their owners. Cats are also credited with promoting socialization among older individuals and physically or mentally disabled people. Nearly 40 million households in the United States have pet cats.

Although cats are great companions, cat owners should be aware that sometimes cats can carry harmful germs that can cause a variety of illnesses in people, ranging from minor skin infections to serious illnesses. One of the best ways you can protect yourself from getting sick is to thoroughly wash your hands after handling, cleaning up after, or feeding cats.

By providing your cat with routine veterinary care and following the Healthy People tips, you are less likely to get sick from touching, petting, or owning a cat.


Campylobacteriosis (Campylobacter spp.)
Campylobacter are bacteria that can make people and animals sick with a disease called campylobacteriosis.

How it spreads: People get Campylobacter infection by coming into contact with feces (poop) of infected animals, including cats, or by consuming contaminated food or water. Typically, Campylobacter is spread when people don’t wash their hands after touching animals or their food, poop, toys, or beds, but it can also sometimes infect you through an open wound. Cats commonly become infected by eating contaminated raw meat and shed the bacteria in their poop.

Who is at risk: Anyone can get a Campylobacter infection, but children younger than 5 years of age, adults over 65 years of age, and people with weakened immune systems are more at risk for serious illness.

Signs in cats: Cats may appear healthy and show no signs of Campylobacter infection or they can have diarrhea that may be bloody.

Symptoms in people: People can have diarrhea (often bloody), fever, and stomach cramps. The diarrhea may be accompanied by nausea and vomiting. Symptoms usually start within 2–5 days after infection and last about 1 week.


Cat Scratch Disease (Bartonella henselae)
Cat scratch disease (CSD) is an infection caused by the bacteria Bartonella henselae, and less commonly other Bartonella species.

How it spreads: Cats become infected through flea bites, fights with other infected cats, or blood transfusions. People can be exposed to the bacteria through the scratch or lick of an infected cat.

Who is at risk: Young cats (less than 1 year of age), strays or cats living in shelters, cats with current or previous flea infestation, and cats that hunt are most likely to have the bacteria. Any person can get sick from CSD, but illness is most common in children and adolescents under 15 years of age and people with weakened immune systems.

Signs in pets: About one third to half of cats have been exposed to the bacteria at some point in their lifetime. Although most infected cats do not appear sick, some cats may experience mild illness with fever that lasts for approximately 2-3 days. Rarely, the disease can cause more serious signs in cats, including vomiting, red eyes, swollen lymph nodes, tiredness, and/or low appetite. Bartonella infection in dogs is less common, but more likely to cause illness, compared to cats.

Signs in people: The CSD bacteria may cause a mild infection with a small, raised, solid bump at the site of the scratch and lymph node swelling near the site of the scratch. This occurs 1-3 weeks after exposure (for example, a cat scratch or lick). The infection can also cause fever, and less commonly eye infection, muscle pain, or more severe symptoms.

Read on to know the risks https://www.cdc.gov/healthypets/pets/cats.html

[Valkie]

I have a problem.

I'm not a cat lover, but they don't bother me most times.

But there is a new cat in the area, it pisses under the tree out the front and it stinks.
It hides in the bushes and kills off the birds
Every week two or. Ore birds are destroyed by this creature.
It got a mountain parakeet the other day, and it eats the lizards that keep down the snails.
We are now overrun by snails.

But the final straw was the shite it did on my front porch last night.
It's life is now measured in how long it takes me to catch or kill it.

I have tried the usual method that seemed to work on most cats.
Mince meat balls full of the hottest chilli available.
Cats generally don't go back to where they ate something than make them sick.
And the chilli goes through them harmlessly if with great speed, hopefully on their owners carpet.

Generally I humanely kill things that are a problem.
But this little mongrel will drown in the tub.

We have a few cats in our area.
None have bothered me before.
This one should be kept indoors or leashed with a 6 foot leash off a 12 foot porch.

[Black Orchid]

Maybe it's hungry and has no home. Just saying!

[Black Orchid]

[Nom De Plume]

This morning, my daughter heard a cat crying through the floor vent in her the toilet! Our 2 cats were accounted for. She traced the cries to under the house and we saw it though the outside grate. Using a torch, the cat followed the light to freedom. This cat was so thankful and loving and friendly and beautiful... we immediately fell in love. This cat is a long-hair, black-brown beauty and in immaculate condition. It's quite loving and comfortable with human contact.

Sally is currently posting a picture on the local lost/ found notice board, as Blacky [as I named it] has no collar. Tomorrow, we will visit the vet to see if it has been microchipped. If nothing comes of that, we shall claim it!

Here's hoping we can claim it!