Do you have a cat that hunts voles, mice, rodents? Maybe chipmunks or squirrels? Cats are awestruck by rodents of every kind and are likely to bring back what they capture. Unfortunately, they could bring home diseases from rodents like parasites, infections or toxins they acquired from their prey, many are fatal if they are not treated. Being aware of the symptoms of these diverse diseases that range from digestive discomfort to neurological issues, is crucial as prompt vet attention could be needed to ensure the survival of your cat.

What Are Rodent Illnesses

Rodent diseases are the illnesses, birds facts diseases or toxicities that are carried and transmitted by rodents. They include plague, toxoplasmosis bacteria, hantavirus and tularemia intestinal parasites, as well as rodenticide-related toxins.

Symptoms of Rodent Illnesses in Cats

The symptoms of rat-borne diseases in cats can be serious and can affect several body systems, starting from the head and ending at tail. A lot of the symptoms listed below could be a result of multiple illnesses and therefore knowing the specific features of each illness as well as the part(s) that it affects will aid in determining the reason for the illness and the appropriate treatment.

Types of Rodent Illnesses in Cats

There are a variety of rodent diseases that could be affecting felines in United States. Most serious are bacterial illnesses, that can be contracted through eating or infected by rodents. Parasites are a typical and treatable issue, however their presence is often a hassle and takes a long time to treat if your cat spends a lot of time outdoors. Infections caused by poisoning (eating poisoned mice for example) is also alarming as it could lead to death.

Intestinal Parasites

Many rodents suffer from the most common digestive parasites such as hookworms, tapeworms as well as roundworms. 3 Intestinal parasites can trigger vomiting, diarrhea, or weight loss. In some cases, intestinal parasites are transmitted to other pets as well as humans living in the household.

If your cat is outdoors , or has been recognized to be a carrier of vermin, regular fecal testing is recommended to detect any intestinal parasites. The vet may prescribe anti-parasitic medication to deworm your cat. Furthermore, some monthly heartworm and preventive flea treatments will help deworm your cat each time you administer it.

Plague Bacteria

Certain rodents are carriers of this disease, an illness that is caused through the bacteria Yersinia pestis. Can cats eat yogurt v4 This is basically the same bacteria that was responsible for the famous “black plague” of the Middle Ages. Plague is typically transmitted through fleas. However, cats may also be affected through eating the flesh of infected rodents.

Cats with Yersinia pestis might experience lethargy and depressive symptoms as well as loss of appetite. vomiting and diarrhea, coughing muscles soreness and fever. Cats may experience lymph node swelling, lesions on the lips, as well as weight loss.

Treatment involves using antibiotics as well as providing support. The earlier treatment is initiated the greater the chance of surviving.It is not common for people to get plague. If they do contract the disease the most common route is an insect bite. Treatment and symptoms are identical to cats.