Cats are one of the most well-liked pets within the Usa. Based on the most recent version with the U.S. Pet Possession & Demographics Sourcebook (2002 Edition) there were almost 70 Million pet cats within the United states. Why are cats so well-liked? There are as many answers to this question as there are cat owners, but the reduced well being dangers cats pose to their owners is certainly near the top of this list. Even though the potential health risks cats pose to people are small, it is important that cat proprietors are aware of these risks and recognize how to reduce them.
The majority of all risks stemming from cat ownership are associated using the cat litter box and/or cat feces. There are two categories of risks. The first category contains well being dangers posed by bacteria and parasites to both cat proprietors and their cats. The second category contains injuries resulting from an automated litter box or self cleansing litter box.
Primarily the well being problems experienced by cat owners or their cats come in the first category and probably the most considerable of these risks is called Toxoplasmosis. Toxoplasmosis is an infection caused by a tiny parasite called Toxoplasma gondii which can be found in raw or undercooked meat, unwashed fruits and vegetables, dirty cat litter boxes and outdoor soil where cat feces can be found. In accordance with the Center for Illness Control and Prevention (CDC) extra than 60 million people inside the United states could be infected using the Toxoplasma parasite(1). Fortunately, very few people ever experience any symptoms because a healthy person?s immune system usually keeps the parasite from causing sickness. On the other hand, pregnant women and individuals who have compromised immune systems, such as individuals infected with the HIV virus, are at threat and need to take precautions to avoid being infected by the parasite. For people in this group a Toxoplasma infection could cause serious well being problems for the individual or to a pregnant woman?s unborn child.
Again, most in the 60 million plus American?s infected with Toxoplasmosis parasite will never experience any symptoms. Most of those who do experience symptoms will simply think they have the Flu as probably the most popular symptoms include swollen glands, fever, headache, muscle pain, or a stiff neck. For those within the high risk group, Toxoplasmosis can cause damage for the brain, eyes and internal organs. Based on the US Food and Drug Administration, children born with Toxoplasma gondii can suffer from hearing loss, mental retardation, and blindness with some children developing brain or eye problems years after birth(2). The CDC estimates that 400-4000 fetuses are infected together with the Toxoplasma gondii parasite each and every year and as many as 80 infants die from Toxoplasmosis annually(2).
So how does an individual contract Toxoplasmosis? A Toxoplasmosis infection is caused by ingesting the Toxoplasma gondi parasite. Most cat proprietors are infected with the parasite by accidentally ingesting infected cat feces. This happens when a person touches their mouth after handling a cat litter box, working in a garden or sand box or touching anything that has come in contact with cat feces(3).
People within the high threat group may well wonder whether or not they should give up their cat to avoid infection. According to the CDC, it really is not necessary for cat lovers to give up their cats, but it?s important for them to protect themselves from infections. The USFDA makes the following recommendations for avoiding infections(2):
1) If possible, have someone else change the litter box. If you have to clean it, wear disposable gloves and wash your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water afterwards.
2) Change the litter box daily. The parasite doesn?t become infectious until one to five days after the feces are deposited within the litter box.
3) Wear gloves when gardening in a garden or handling sand from a sandbox because cats might have excreted feces in them. Be sure to wash your hands with soap and warm water afterwards.
4) Cover outdoor sandboxes to prevent cats from using them as litter boxes.
5) Feed your cat commercial dry or canned food. Never feed your cat raw meat because it can be a source of the Toxoplasmosis gondii parasite.
6) Keep indoor cats indoors. Be especially cautious if you bring outdoor cats indoors.
7) Avoid stray cats, especially kittens. 
Safer Child, Inc. makes the following further recommendations(4):
1) Have your veterinarian test your cat for the Toxoplasmosis parasite. If you cat is infected, you may well choose to consider possessing someone else keep your cat during your pregnancy.
2) Keep sandboxes covered to prevent cats from using the sandbox as a litter box.
3) Be aware of neighborhood sandboxes as the parasite can be brought home on shoes, clothing and toys.
Similar to Toxoplasmosis, Escherichia coli (commonly called E. coli) can infect humans thru contact with feline fecal material, although the main means of infection is thru ingestion or raw or undercooked meats. E. Coli is a bacterium commonly found inside the intestinal tract of humans and animals. Almost all strains in the bacteria are harmless. Nevertheless a few strains can produce powerful toxins and cause severe illness, especially in children under 5 years of age(5). Symptoms usually include diarrhea and abdominal cramps. In children under 5, 2%-7% of E. coli cases can cause kidney failure. Fortunately, E. coli is easy to prevent. Using the preventative measures, outlined above for Toxoplasmosis will greatly reduce the dangers of you or your children contracting an E. coli infection.
In addition to these human risks, there are a few well being dangers cat litter boxes actually pose to cats that cat owners should really be aware of. Just as a dirty litter box poses health risks to humans, cats are equally at risk if forced to use a dirty litter box. Since cats stay clean by licking themselves, allowing a cat?s litter box to get too dirty can cause infections when a cat cleans it really is paws after using the dirty litter box. By far the most popular infection is an urinary tract infection, and although this type of infection is rarely fatal it can be quite uncomfortable for your cat and will most likely require treatment by your veterinarian.
Finally, a lesser-known wellness threat to cats is actually caused by cat litter itself. What many cat owners do not realize is that some types of cat litter can be harmful or even fatal to their cat. Both clumping and non-clumping litters pose health problems to cats. Clumping cat litters are most likely the most common type of cat litter because of their convenience, hygienic qualities and the truth that clumping litters are required for use in self-cleaning litter boxes. Unfortunately, some clumping litters can be harmful to cats. Clay based mostly clumping litters can contain the mineral sodium bentonite, which can be harmful or fatal to your cat. It really is best to avoid using clay based cat litters, especially with kittens. Wheat or corn primarily based clumping litters such as Swheat Scoop, World?s Best Cat Litter and Littermaid cat litter work very nicely and are non-toxic(6).
By their extremely nature, non-clumping litters do not absorb and isolate a cat?s urine or feces like clumping litters do. As being a result, it?s substantially harder to keep your cat?s litter box clean when using non-clumping litter. When using non-clumping litter it?s important to frequently clean and disinfect the litter box itself to reduce the chance of bacterial buildups that can cause urinary or other infections in your cat.
Get your inexpensive Manning Broncos Jersey from recognized Peyton Manning Bronco Jersey Shop immediately with Express Shipping and delivery, Safeguarded Payment & Outstanding Customer Service at www.officialbroncoproshop.com.
fracking drosselmeyer drosselmeyer local time when is daylight savings 2011 cain gingrich debate andy rooney dies
কোন মন্তব্য নেই:
একটি মন্তব্য পোস্ট করুন