Can a cat get the flu or cold from a person?

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If you are a cat owner, you have probably repeatedly wondered whether a cat can get the flu from a person? We will try to give you the most comprehensive answer to this question.

Let's start with the fact that cats are most susceptible to respiratory diseases in the spring and summer. But an animal can only become infected by another sick cat or animal. Answering the main question of our article, we can say that a cat can become infected with the flu from a person .

Such cases are very rare, but they do happen. Cats can be infected with influenza viruses, including avian influenza viruses, and can spread influenza viruses to each other (cat-to-cat).

Cat influenza is thought to be spread in the same way as human influenza: through direct contact, through the air, and through contaminated surfaces (such as shared food and water bowls, cage surfaces).

Can a person get the flu from a cat?

Typically, a person can become infected with the influenza virus when enough of the virus comes into contact with the eyes, nose, mouth, or is inhaled. People can catch the flu from a sick cat by touching the cat's virus-containing secretions and then touching their eyes, nose, or mouth. In addition, sick cats may cough or sneeze, which can release droplets into the air that contain the virus, which a person can breathe in or get into their eyes, nose, or mouth.

Since the disease is serious, let’s try to figure out what to do if a cat contracts the flu or catches a cold.

How to interpret an antibody test?

A person being tested for antibodies may have several types of proteins produced by the immune system in the body:

IgM is a reaction to any acute infection. They are usually present in the body for a month after infection, but with COVID-19 this period increases to 3 months. They can persist even in the absence of the virus.
IgA is a direct response to COVID-19. Their number should decrease as you recover.
IgG is the body’s memory response to a previous infection. They are synthesized 6 weeks after infection and form immunity.

antibody test contains IgA, it means the person has encountered coronavirus. If they are accompanied by IgG, then the patient recovers; if not, the infectious disease is progressing at the moment. An IgG level of more than 1.1 indicates that the immune system is resistant to the virus.

Symptoms of ARVI in a cat

The danger of colds in cats is due to the fact that the symptoms of a common cold may conceal such a serious diagnosis as rhinotrachiitis. To correctly diagnose the disease, you must carefully monitor the symptoms. The most common symptoms that your cat has a cold are :

Dry nose . Anyone knows that a pet's dry nose signals an increase in its body temperature.
Discharge . During colds, cats typically experience discharge from the eyes and nose.
Coughing and sneezing . Just like humans, cats have a natural desire to clear mucus from their lungs. And they do it in a similar way - by sneezing and coughing.
Weakness and loss of appetite. During a cold, your pet becomes lethargic and loses interest in food.

If you notice all these symptoms in your pet, then you should not delay and hope that the cold will go away on its own. Time plays a decisive role in this case. The sooner you take your cat to the veterinarian, the sooner he will correctly diagnose and prescribe treatment.

Treatment and prevention

Vaccination and regular booster vaccinations will keep your cat healthy and help prevent disease. Another key factor is protecting yourself from germs: wash your hands thoroughly and often (and ask others to do the same); Disinfect any contaminated areas such as bedding, clothing and towels; and avoid contact with any person (and any animal) who may be sick.

Animals can contract diseases from other animals, so it is important to keep your healthy cat away from sick animals. Eye and ear discharge and saliva are the most common ways animals spread germs, so feed and water them in different places.

As noted, if you suspect the flu or cold, contact your veterinarian immediately. According to PetMD, “There is no cure for influenza and treatment is symptomatic. Regular care may be required to clear discharge from the eyes and nose and keep them clean.” Possible treatments include antibiotics and plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration. Your veterinarian will give you a detailed treatment plan.

Your cat will need a lot of love and care during her recovery, and she will happily do the same for you if you ever get sick. It may not be easy if you are sick too, but once you are both healthy, you will happily embrace each other.

Causes of colds and flu

Since we have found out that a person can infect a cat with the flu, let's figure out what other reasons can cause a cold or flu in a cat. Let's highlight the most common ones:

Poor nutrition . Often the disease occurs against a background of weakening of the body, which occurs as a result of an unbalanced diet of the animal.
Conditions of detention . Constant drafts or temperature changes are common causes of colds.
Transmissible virus . You can infect your pet with the flu if you already have a sick pet in your home.
Hypothermia . If your cat likes to walk outside and is often exposed to rain or snow, she is at risk.

This is far from complete, but the most common list of causes of flu or colds in cats.

Can a cat catch a cold from its owner?

Contents hide

Residents of the central European part of Russia in the 2019/2020 season. understood what “Eurowinter” is - with near-zero or slightly positive temperatures, slush and dampness. This creates perfect conditions for outbreaks of various types of respiratory infections.

Flu and ARVI are always bad. A person, in essence, is out of action and loses his ability to work. It’s sad when, for various reasons, you have to endure the disease on your feet. We must not forget about another danger - infecting our colleagues, as well as family and friends. You bring the infection home, and there is almost a 100% chance that your household will soon become ill as well. But we are interested in another question: is it possible to pass on one’s “own” cold to a pet cat? The short answer is optimistic: no. The vast majority of “human” viruses are species-specific, that is, they do not pass from humans to animals. And yet exceptions to the general rule exist.

Flu and ARVI. Many people who are far from medicine often confuse these diseases. Moreover, there is some similarity in typical symptoms. Until very recently, it was believed that influenza viruses were not transmitted between species. But viruses, unfortunately, multiply and mutate from year to year. You may remember how the H1N1 swine flu epidemic raged across the world in 2009 and how many lives it took. It was then that scientists first identified a case where the virus was transmitted from host to cat. Fortunately, the owner was saved, but the animal was not. Since then, several more cases have been noted of cats becoming infected with the flu from their owners.

Not everything is so simple with the “common” cold (ARVI). Acute respiratory viral infection (ARVI), as the name suggests, is spread by viruses. And, as it turned out, certain viruses are dangerous for cats. Cases of infection are isolated, but they do occur.

We need to dispel another common misconception - that we get sick by going outside without a scarf or by spending some time in the cold and in conditions of high humidity. No – the reason for our malaise is precisely the “caught” viruses. Cold viruses in humans include rhinovirus, respiratory syncytial virus, parainfluenza virus and the notorious coronavirus.

At risk are people and animals with weakened immune systems who have just suffered from other diseases. Particular attention should be paid to children aged five years and younger, as well as elderly and frail people.

ARVI or upper respiratory tract infection? We understand that all articles on medical topics have a strong side effect: readers immediately begin to customize diseases “for themselves.” But don't panic if you see your furry pet with watery eyes or sneezing. Do not think that this very “rarest” case took place, and it was you who awarded the cat with the virus. Experience shows that in most cases, sneezing in cats is a consequence of an upper respiratory tract infection. Malaise can overtake your pet almost out of the blue, and the owners have nothing to do with it. The real cause is feline caliciviruses and herpesviruses. The good news is that cats have the strength to fight off infections on their own. However, viruses that have entered the body penetrate deeply into cells and do not leave. The animal remains a lifelong carrier of viruses.

Zoonotic diseases are diseases transmitted from animals to humans. There are also so-called reverse zoonoses, that is, diseases that pets pick up from people. Let's mention mumps, ringworm, tuberculosis and, yes, the flu.

The flu is insidious and dangerous. If the disease is carried on the legs and not treated, death is possible. We repeat: influenza and ARVI are completely different diseases. If you feel fever or chills, congestion and sore throat, cough, runny nose, headache, body aches, lack of physical strength, do not show miracles of labor heroism, but immediately go to the doctor. Only a doctor can distinguish the most dangerous flu from a “regular” cold.

These recommendations are especially relevant these days, when a new coronavirus originating from China is spreading around the world. Primary symptoms are similar to those noted above. If you feel that you are sick, put everything aside and rush to the doctor.

Follow the following tips strictly. Wash your hands as often as possible using disinfectants. Limit contact with pets to the bare minimum. If contact does occur, wash your hands immediately. Never rub your eyes with your hands.

Wash your hands thoroughly when handling your pet's bowls, toys, and accessories. Particularly carefully - after cleaning the tray and contact with animal excrement and saliva. When pouring food into the bowl (or handling the tray), always wear disposable gloves. Of course, wash your hands before eating. Now the old “children’s” recommendation is more relevant than ever.

Avoid any “hugs” and especially “kisses” with your pet. It is completely unacceptable for a cat to lick you. If there are infants, elderly people, pregnant women, patients receiving chemotherapy, or people suffering from chronic diseases living in the house, transfer the cats to full-time indoor living.

We do not support panic sentiments, but in some matters it is still better to be safe. Especially now, when the new coronavirus is sweeping the planet. If you see signs of obvious illness in your cat (sneezing, coughing, fever, etc.), it is better to immediately contact a veterinarian rather than wait for events to develop.

And, of course, personal hygiene measures should be prioritized.

Quoted in : Can My Cat Catch My Cold? Author : Susan Dorling. Source : cuteness.com Photo : unsplash.com

Preventing flu and colds in cats

It is always easier to deal with the root cause than with its consequences. Moreover, to do this it is enough to follow a number of simple rules:

Nutrition. Make sure your cat's food is made from high-quality ingredients. If possible, buy special food for cats, at least periodically. These foods contain the entire range of essential microelements for cats.
Temperature conditions. Although cats appear to have warm coats, they are just as sensitive to cold as we are. Make sure that the animal does not sleep on a cold floor or draft. The best solution would be a specially equipped place for your pet.
Dryness. When the cat does get caught in the rain, it needs to be wiped dry. If the animal allows you, you can dry it a little with a hairdryer. Such procedures should also be performed after bathing.

But it is not always possible, even with the strictest adherence to all the rules, to protect your cat from contracting the flu or a cold. In this case, you should immediately contact your veterinarian.

Can a cat infect a person with rhinotracheitis?

According to the veterinarian, rhinotracheitis is strictly a specific disease of cats. Therefore, they cannot infect humans or other pets, such as dogs or hamsters, with it.

A cat can only become infected through contact with a sick animal. “If the animal is domestic and has no contact with other cats, it has no risk of becoming infected. But it happens that owners pick up an unfortunate “crying” kitten on the street and bring it home, and as a result, the domestic cat begins to get sick with everything that the kitten brought from the street. In addition, there are animals that can be carriers of the virus, but it can manifest itself clinically in them,” explains Solovyova.

Also, the pet runs the risk of contracting herpes if the owners rent it out to a cat hotel for a while. “Bringing animals into a cat hotel without a passport is fraught with problems. If maintenance and hygiene standards are not observed there, theoretically, the animal can get sick. But, as a rule, such establishments accept animals with vaccination or they are injected with a prophylactic serum, which works for 15 days. This is passive immunity during the stay in the hotel,” says the veterinarian.

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What to do if your cat is sick

First of all, a person should relieve the symptoms and try to alleviate the course of a cold or flu in a cat. To do this, you need to provide your pet with a warm place and peace.

For additional warmth, you can cover the cat with a small blanket or blanket. Massaging the limbs has a good effect. But not every animal tolerates massage calmly; it can be replaced with regular stroking. When a person pets a cat that is sick, its blood flow increases and its condition improves.

To alleviate the cat's condition, you also need to help him get rid of the discharge. The eyes and nose are wiped with a cotton swab soaked in a solution of herbs. If you are afraid of allergic reactions, then the herbal mixture can be safely replaced with clean boiled water, but it is advisable to do this only after consulting a veterinarian.

If you have carried out these procedures and after 12-14 hours the animal feels better, then you can postpone the trip to the veterinarian . But if no changes in the condition are observed, then you should contact the veterinary clinic.

Do cats get colds?

Causes and symptoms

Veterinarians clarify that the likelihood of contracting colds is higher if the pet’s natural immune defense is weakened due to an unbalanced menu or being kept in insufficiently clean conditions.

The cold is a common illness among felines and is most often caused by hypothermia. Your pet will need 8 to 10 days to recover, but improper care can lead to complications. Respiratory tract infections occur more often due to contact with another sick cat. According to veterinary statistics, the peak of diseases occurs in spring and summer. Typical negative symptoms include the following:

Cold symptoms in cats are the same as in humans.

refusal of food;
constant desire to sleep;
increased fearfulness;
indifference to everything;
dry nose;
increased fatigue;
temperature jump;
tearfulness;
green or clear mucus from the nose;
frequent sneezing;
expectoration of mucous masses.

Treatment options

If a cat has negative symptoms similar to a cold, sore throat or flu, then the veterinarian will prescribe medications to reduce the temperature and relieve the inflammatory process, as well as analgesics, for example, Loxicom oral suspension. Additionally, antibiotics, medications to boost immunity, and special nasal drops may be prescribed if the disease is bacterial in nature. It is important for a cat to clear secretions from his eyes and rinse his nose.

To prevent the disease from getting worse, the temperature in the apartment should be in the range from +20 to +25 °C, especially if the kitten is sick. There should be no draft or high humidity in the room where the cat is located. Constant access to clean water is important to prevent dehydration. Meals during the recovery period should be frequent and based on protein foods. If your pet refuses dry pads, then it is better to pamper him with fragrant spiders, for example, Almo Nature. You should not give wet food from economy lines, as this can provoke an even further weakening of the immune defense and an allergic reaction.

Rabies

Rabies is a dangerous disease caused by a neurotropic virus.
The pathogen is transmitted through saliva through a bite or through wounds on the skin and mucous membranes. Most warm-blooded animals suffer from rabies. A person can also become infected. The virus infects nerve cells. In animals, this manifests itself in the form of aggression, coordination of movements is impaired, paralysis of the limbs and muscle spasms appear. The violent form of the disease is more common in cats. Rabies is fatal in most cases. To prevent animals from becoming infected with rabies, they are vaccinated every year with a special anti-rabies vaccine.

If you are bitten by an unvaccinated cat, go to the hospital immediately for medical attention. A course of anti-rabies injections can save your life only if it is started no later than 72 hours after the bite of a sick animal.

Take your pets' rabies vaccinations seriously; they should be done annually.

Is express analysis possible?

get tested for antibodies at home. For example, Leccurate SARS-CoV2 Antibody Test allows you to independently perform a chromatographic immunoassay of blood. You can take it either from a finger or from a vein, although the second method is difficult to implement without a nurse. It is better to undergo express diagnostics for antibodies on an empty stomach . The kit includes a disposable lancet for puncturing the skin.

The blood is placed into the well of the test device, where it is mixed with a buffer liquid. The indicator reaction occurs within 10-20 minutes. Depending on the staining of certain areas, the presence of IgM, IgG or their absence can be detected.

Treatment of cystitis

Treatment of cystitis depends little on gender. Both men and women are shown a restorative regime, the absence of stress and intense exercise. Treatment is prescribed after collecting anamnesis and passing tests. When making a diagnosis, your doctor may need the following results:

general blood test;
general urinalysis;
bacteriological culture of urine, which will help identify the causative bacteria;
Ultrasound of the urinary system;
flora smear;
PCR test for STI cystoscopy;
testing for antibiotic resistance [1,2].

To prevent re-infection, it is necessary to undergo paired treatment.

The following medications are taken as prescribed by a doctor:

Anti-inflammatory non-steroidal drugs;
Antispasmodics;
Antibiotics;
Antifungal drugs;
Herbal medicine [6].

Herbal medicines as part of complex therapy can have the following effects on the bladder: relieve spasms, eliminate pain, stimulate the outflow of urine and reduce the loss of crystalline sediment. For example, you can use the drug Fitolysin® Paste. The composition of the paste for the preparation of a suspension for oral administration of Phytolysin® includes a condensed extract of a mixture of 9 plant components, as well as 4 essential oils and other excipients. It relieves unpleasant symptoms, has an analgesic effect* and inhibits inflammatory processes in the bladder [7,8].

When treating women, douching and sitz baths may additionally be prescribed. During the recovery period, if there are no restrictions, physiotherapy may be indicated:

electrophoresis;
inductothermy;
magnetic therapy;
magnetophoresis;
EHF therapy;
ultrasound;
impulse currents;
laser therapy [1,5,6].

What is the difference between coronavirus and influenza?

You can form a relative idea of a probable disease using the following facts as a basis:

First of all, you need to analyze what the people around you are sick with: your immediate social environment - family, neighbors, colleagues. If any of them have been diagnosed, then there is a high probability that you may also be infected with this infection;
It is possible to identify signs of covid 19 that are characteristic only of this disease. In this case, we are talking about loss of taste and smell due to damage to the receptors. Practice shows that children tolerate the disease more easily than adults. Their symptoms may be similar to the common cold;
The difference between coronavirus and ARVI in terms of the incubation period. In both cases, the first symptoms may appear within a few days after the virus enters the body. At the same time, with the flu, the deterioration of well-being occurs more quickly. On average - 1-4 days after infection. In the case of COVID-19, the patient’s well-being worsens on the fifth or sixth day, but there are cases where symptoms appear after 2-14 days. The body copes with the flu faster than with COVID-10, one week versus two to three weeks with coronavirus;
Most people who contract the flu can carry the disease as early as 24 hours before symptoms appear. Adolescents and adults can transmit the virus during the first 3-4 days of illness, in some cases this period can last up to 7 days. Human immunity has a great influence on the duration of the process. In the case of COVID-19, the question remains open, since researchers have not yet formed a clear idea of how long the patient is a carrier. We can say with confidence that a person with COVID-19 can infect other people 48 hours before the first symptoms appear and for another 14 days after the deterioration of health and confirmation of the diagnosis, if the disease is mild.

To make an accurate diagnosis, you need to see a doctor, get tested and, taking into account your general condition and concomitant diseases, receive effective treatment.

How does infection occur?

Anatomically, women have a much higher risk of developing cystitis, and a man can be an asymptomatic carrier of bladder inflammation from one woman to another. Whether cystitis will be transmitted will depend on the state of the person’s immune system. But the likelihood of getting sick is higher in people who often change partners or have several parallel contacts. Since one of the causative agents of cystitis is E. coli, failure to comply with the rules of hygiene after sex can become a factor in the infection of a woman and subsequent infection of a man.

Barrier protective methods, especially a condom, significantly reduce the risks of transmission of both STIs and opportunistic microflora that cause cystitis, but, unfortunately, do not completely eliminate it.