Can humans spread infection from cat to cat?
Question:
snipped from Columbia Hospital’s article on Feline Upper Respiratory Diseases. <snip begin> We do not take upper respiratory infections lightly in our practice. Recently, we had an adult cat exposed to a virus after the owners visited a shelter and after handling some sick kittens, brought the virus home on their bodies and clothing, infected their cat. Although feline upper-respiratory-tract infections are highly contagious, both FVR and FCV are short lived in the environment. At common room temperatures and humidity levels, FVR rarely survives beyond 18 hours, and FCV survives only for a few days. A cat can transmit either virus (via water droplets) when it sneezes. But another cat can catch the airborne virus only if the sneezing cat is within approximately a 3-foot distance. Infection spreads most readily from cat to cat by direct contact or shared contact with feeding dishes or toys. Transmission may also occur by transient contamination on the owners clothes. If an owner isolates a cat known to be infected and makes sure that healthy cat house mates do not share its dishes or playthings, the infection is less likely to spread throughout the household. Washing hands after handling an infected cat and even changing clothing may help defer or eliminate the spread of disease. <end snip> elsa ^..^ "a kitten is infinitely more amusing than half the people one is obliged to live with in the world" - Lady Morgan http://arnhem.telekabel.nl/~c35065/louie.htm http://arnhem.telekabel.nl/~c35065/cattitude.htm
Response:
>Some viruses are very persistent in the >environment or on articles of clothing, etc. (e.g., >panleukopenia) and are difficult to destroy. However, the >vets were unanimous in telling me that young, healthy, >vaccinated cats in good condition are at extremely low risk >of contracting infectious diseases. >They were correct-I never saw any sign of illness in my >other two cats, and I watched them like a hawk for the next >two weeks.
Thanks for the info. Both my cats are young (2 years old) and up to date on all their vaccinations. As I said, the kitten in question was not coughing or sneezing, nor did it have any nasal or eye discharge. I did pick it up and hold it, and I did look in its mouth so I did touch it. But I washed my hands at home before touching my cats, and also changed my clothes (although I have not washed them yet–better do so.) However, it may all be moot–so far the kitten is not showing any more signs of illness. Thanks to all who replied. yngver (delete "nojunk" to e-mail)
Response:
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Yesterday I found a lost kitten in the parking lot, and someone in our office > adopted the kitten, as it had been seen in the area for the last few days. He > immediately took the kitten to the vet, who said that the kitten has a bloated > stomach and a slight temp. He said the kitten may just be bloated from eating a > lot of food that day after possibly starving for a day or two, but it could > also be something more serious. > This is a very friendly kitten about 4 months old who appears to be healthy (no > runny eyes, no sneezing, is not lethargic and eats and drinks normally). I am > glad we were able to find it a home, but I also wonder: if it does have > something like FIP, could I have infected my own cats by petting and holding > this kitten? I was careful to wash my hands in antibacterial soap when I got > home, so I would think the danger is minimal, but I wonder if there’s anything > to worry about. > yngver > (delete "nojunk" to e-mail)
Its highly unlikely that you could pass the FIP coronavirus to your cat from contact with another cat, at least I’ve never heard or read of the virus being passed that way. The usual mode of transmission for the FIP virus is injestion and oronasal. This is one virus, however, that can be passed to a cat by a human who has been in contact with or touched an infected cat, and that is the treacherous Feline Panleukopenia parvovirus (Feline Distemper/Feline Infectious Enteritis). This virus is very stable in the environment and can survive for as long as a year outside the body. It can be tracked in to your home on clothing and shoes. The Panleukopenia vaccine is the most important vaccination your cat should have. Phil. — "Cats have no masters…just friends" Good cat health stuff: http://maxshouse.com .
Response:
Yesterday I found a lost kitten in the parking lot, and someone in our office adopted the kitten, as it had been seen in the area for the last few days. He immediately took the kitten to the vet, who said that the kitten has a bloated stomach and a slight temp. He said the kitten may just be bloated from eating a lot of food that day after possibly starving for a day or two, but it could also be something more serious. This is a very friendly kitten about 4 months old who appears to be healthy (no runny eyes, no sneezing, is not lethargic and eats and drinks normally). I am glad we were able to find it a home, but I also wonder: if it does have something like FIP, could I have infected my own cats by petting and holding this kitten? I was careful to wash my hands in antibacterial soap when I got home, so I would think the danger is minimal, but I wonder if there’s anything to worry about. yngver (delete "nojunk" to e-mail)
Response:
not likely if you washed before handling your own cats Cindy – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – >Yesterday I found a lost kitten in the parking lot, and someone in our office >adopted the kitten, as it had been seen in the area for the last few days. He >immediately took the kitten to the vet, who said that the kitten has a bloated >stomach and a slight temp. He said the kitten may just be bloated from eating a >lot of food that day after possibly starving for a day or two, but it could >also be something more serious. >This is a very friendly kitten about 4 months old who appears to be healthy (no >runny eyes, no sneezing, is not lethargic and eats and drinks normally). I am >glad we were able to find it a home, but I also wonder: if it does have >something like FIP, could I have infected my own cats by petting and holding >this kitten? I was careful to wash my hands in antibacterial soap when I got >home, so I would think the danger is minimal, but I wonder if there’s anything >to worry about. >yngver >(delete "nojunk" to e-mail)
Response:
>Yesterday I found a lost kitten in the parking lot, and
someone in our office >adopted the kitten, as it had been seen in the area for the last few days. He >immediately took the kitten to the vet, who said that the
kitten has a bloated >stomach and a slight temp. He said the kitten may just be
bloated from eating a >lot of food that day after possibly starving for a day or two, but it could >also be something more serious. >This is a very friendly kitten about 4 months old who
appears to be healthy (no >runny eyes, no sneezing, is not lethargic and eats and
drinks normally). I am >glad we were able to find it a home, but I also wonder: if it does have >something like FIP, could I have infected my own cats by petting and holding >this kitten? I was careful to wash my hands in
antibacterial soap when I got >home, so I would think the danger is minimal, but I wonder if there’s anything >to worry about.
I asked several vets the same question last year when a kitten I had adopted from a shelter became ill very suddenly and died of an unknown infection. (I had kept him apart from my other two cats, and washed my hands, disinfected or threw out all the cat equipment he touched, but I was still worried). Some viruses are very persistent in the environment or on articles of clothing, etc. (e.g., panleukopenia) and are difficult to destroy. However, the vets were unanimous in telling me that young, healthy, vaccinated cats in good condition are at extremely low risk of contracting infectious diseases. They were correct-I never saw any sign of illness in my other two cats, and I watched them like a hawk for the next two weeks. Kittens, elderly, immunocompromised, or unvaccinated cats or cats suffering from malnutrition, parasites, etc. are more vulnerable, though. It’s also my understanding that the coronavirus which causes FIP is rather fragile, and is transmitted cat-to-cat through contact with fecal matter, rather than through the air or other means. Marca * Sent from RemarQ http://www.remarq.com The Internet’s Discussion Network * The fastest and easiest way to search and participate in Usenet – Free!
Response:
snipped from Columbia Hospital’s article on Feline Upper Respiratory Diseases. <snip begin> We do not take upper respiratory infections lightly in our practice. Recently, we had an adult cat exposed to a virus after the owners visited a shelter and after handling some sick kittens, brought the virus home on their bodies and clothing, infected their cat. Although feline upper-respiratory-tract infections are highly contagious, both FVR and FCV are short lived in the environment. At common room temperatures and humidity levels, FVR rarely survives beyond 18 hours, and FCV survives only for a few days. A cat can transmit either virus (via water droplets) when it sneezes. But another cat can catch the airborne virus only if the sneezing cat is within approximately a 3-foot distance. Infection spreads most readily from cat to cat by direct contact or shared contact with feeding dishes or toys. Transmission may also occur by transient contamination on the owners clothes. If an owner isolates a cat known to be infected and makes sure that healthy cat house mates do not share its dishes or playthings, the infection is less likely to spread throughout the household. Washing hands after handling an infected cat and even changing clothing may help defer or eliminate the spread of disease. <end snip> elsa ^..^ "a kitten is infinitely more amusing than half the people one is obliged to live with in the world" - Lady Morgan http://arnhem.telekabel.nl/~c35065/louie.htm http://arnhem.telekabel.nl/~c35065/cattitude.htm
Response:
>Some viruses are very persistent in the >environment or on articles of clothing, etc. (e.g., >panleukopenia) and are difficult to destroy. However, the >vets were unanimous in telling me that young, healthy, >vaccinated cats in good condition are at extremely low risk >of contracting infectious diseases. >They were correct-I never saw any sign of illness in my >other two cats, and I watched them like a hawk for the next >two weeks.
Thanks for the info. Both my cats are young (2 years old) and up to date on all their vaccinations. As I said, the kitten in question was not coughing or sneezing, nor did it have any nasal or eye discharge. I did pick it up and hold it, and I did look in its mouth so I did touch it. But I washed my hands at home before touching my cats, and also changed my clothes (although I have not washed them yet–better do so.) However, it may all be moot–so far the kitten is not showing any more signs of illness. Thanks to all who replied. yngver (delete "nojunk" to e-mail)
Response:
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Yesterday I found a lost kitten in the parking lot, and someone in our office > adopted the kitten, as it had been seen in the area for the last few days. He > immediately took the kitten to the vet, who said that the kitten has a bloated > stomach and a slight temp. He said the kitten may just be bloated from eating a > lot of food that day after possibly starving for a day or two, but it could > also be something more serious. > This is a very friendly kitten about 4 months old who appears to be healthy (no > runny eyes, no sneezing, is not lethargic and eats and drinks normally). I am > glad we were able to find it a home, but I also wonder: if it does have > something like FIP, could I have infected my own cats by petting and holding > this kitten? I was careful to wash my hands in antibacterial soap when I got > home, so I would think the danger is minimal, but I wonder if there’s anything > to worry about. > yngver > (delete "nojunk" to e-mail)
Its highly unlikely that you could pass the FIP coronavirus to your cat from contact with another cat, at least I’ve never heard or read of the virus being passed that way. The usual mode of transmission for the FIP virus is injestion and oronasal. This is one virus, however, that can be passed to a cat by a human who has been in contact with or touched an infected cat, and that is the treacherous Feline Panleukopenia parvovirus (Feline Distemper/Feline Infectious Enteritis). This virus is very stable in the environment and can survive for as long as a year outside the body. It can be tracked in to your home on clothing and shoes. The Panleukopenia vaccine is the most important vaccination your cat should have. Phil. — "Cats have no masters…just friends" Good cat health stuff: http://maxshouse.com .
Response:
Yesterday I found a lost kitten in the parking lot, and someone in our office adopted the kitten, as it had been seen in the area for the last few days. He immediately took the kitten to the vet, who said that the kitten has a bloated stomach and a slight temp. He said the kitten may just be bloated from eating a lot of food that day after possibly starving for a day or two, but it could also be something more serious. This is a very friendly kitten about 4 months old who appears to be healthy (no runny eyes, no sneezing, is not lethargic and eats and drinks normally). I am glad we were able to find it a home, but I also wonder: if it does have something like FIP, could I have infected my own cats by petting and holding this kitten? I was careful to wash my hands in antibacterial soap when I got home, so I would think the danger is minimal, but I wonder if there’s anything to worry about. yngver (delete "nojunk" to e-mail)
Response:
not likely if you washed before handling your own cats Cindy – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – >Yesterday I found a lost kitten in the parking lot, and someone in our office >adopted the kitten, as it had been seen in the area for the last few days. He >immediately took the kitten to the vet, who said that the kitten has a bloated >stomach and a slight temp. He said the kitten may just be bloated from eating a >lot of food that day after possibly starving for a day or two, but it could >also be something more serious. >This is a very friendly kitten about 4 months old who appears to be healthy (no >runny eyes, no sneezing, is not lethargic and eats and drinks normally). I am >glad we were able to find it a home, but I also wonder: if it does have >something like FIP, could I have infected my own cats by petting and holding >this kitten? I was careful to wash my hands in antibacterial soap when I got >home, so I would think the danger is minimal, but I wonder if there’s anything >to worry about. >yngver >(delete "nojunk" to e-mail)
Response:
>Yesterday I found a lost kitten in the parking lot, and
someone in our office >adopted the kitten, as it had been seen in the area for the last few days. He >immediately took the kitten to the vet, who said that the
kitten has a bloated >stomach and a slight temp. He said the kitten may just be
bloated from eating a >lot of food that day after possibly starving for a day or two, but it could >also be something more serious. >This is a very friendly kitten about 4 months old who
appears to be healthy (no >runny eyes, no sneezing, is not lethargic and eats and
drinks normally). I am >glad we were able to find it a home, but I also wonder: if it does have >something like FIP, could I have infected my own cats by petting and holding >this kitten? I was careful to wash my hands in
antibacterial soap when I got >home, so I would think the danger is minimal, but I wonder if there’s anything >to worry about.
I asked several vets the same question last year when a kitten I had adopted from a shelter became ill very suddenly and died of an unknown infection. (I had kept him apart from my other two cats, and washed my hands, disinfected or threw out all the cat equipment he touched, but I was still worried). Some viruses are very persistent in the environment or on articles of clothing, etc. (e.g., panleukopenia) and are difficult to destroy. However, the vets were unanimous in telling me that young, healthy, vaccinated cats in good condition are at extremely low risk of contracting infectious diseases. They were correct-I never saw any sign of illness in my other two cats, and I watched them like a hawk for the next two weeks. Kittens, elderly, immunocompromised, or unvaccinated cats or cats suffering from malnutrition, parasites, etc. are more vulnerable, though. It’s also my understanding that the coronavirus which causes FIP is rather fragile, and is transmitted cat-to-cat through contact with fecal matter, rather than through the air or other means. Marca * Sent from RemarQ http://www.remarq.com The Internet’s Discussion Network * The fastest and easiest way to search and participate in Usenet – Free!
Response:
snipped from Columbia Hospital’s article on Feline Upper Respiratory Diseases. <snip begin> We do not take upper respiratory infections lightly in our practice. Recently, we had an adult cat exposed to a virus after the owners visited a shelter and after handling some sick kittens, brought the virus home on their bodies and clothing, infected their cat. Although feline upper-respiratory-tract infections are highly contagious, both FVR and FCV are short lived in the environment. At common room temperatures and humidity levels, FVR rarely survives beyond 18 hours, and FCV survives only for a few days. A cat can transmit either virus (via water droplets) when it sneezes. But another cat can catch the airborne virus only if the sneezing cat is within approximately a 3-foot distance. Infection spreads most readily from cat to cat by direct contact or shared contact with feeding dishes or toys. Transmission may also occur by transient contamination on the owners clothes. If an owner isolates a cat known to be infected and makes sure that healthy cat house mates do not share its dishes or playthings, the infection is less likely to spread throughout the household. Washing hands after handling an infected cat and even changing clothing may help defer or eliminate the spread of disease. <end snip> elsa ^..^ "a kitten is infinitely more amusing than half the people one is obliged to live with in the world" - Lady Morgan http://arnhem.telekabel.nl/~c35065/louie.htm http://arnhem.telekabel.nl/~c35065/cattitude.htm
Response:
>Some viruses are very persistent in the >environment or on articles of clothing, etc. (e.g., >panleukopenia) and are difficult to destroy. However, the >vets were unanimous in telling me that young, healthy, >vaccinated cats in good condition are at extremely low risk >of contracting infectious diseases. >They were correct-I never saw any sign of illness in my >other two cats, and I watched them like a hawk for the next >two weeks.
Thanks for the info. Both my cats are young (2 years old) and up to date on all their vaccinations. As I said, the kitten in question was not coughing or sneezing, nor did it have any nasal or eye discharge. I did pick it up and hold it, and I did look in its mouth so I did touch it. But I washed my hands at home before touching my cats, and also changed my clothes (although I have not washed them yet–better do so.) However, it may all be moot–so far the kitten is not showing any more signs of illness. Thanks to all who replied. yngver (delete "nojunk" to e-mail)
Response:
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Yesterday I found a lost kitten in the parking lot, and someone in our office > adopted the kitten, as it had been seen in the area for the last few days. He > immediately took the kitten to the vet, who said that the kitten has a bloated > stomach and a slight temp. He said the kitten may just be bloated from eating a > lot of food that day after possibly starving for a day or two, but it could > also be something more serious. > This is a very friendly kitten about 4 months old who appears to be healthy (no > runny eyes, no sneezing, is not lethargic and eats and drinks normally). I am > glad we were able to find it a home, but I also wonder: if it does have > something like FIP, could I have infected my own cats by petting and holding > this kitten? I was careful to wash my hands in antibacterial soap when I got > home, so I would think the danger is minimal, but I wonder if there’s anything > to worry about. > yngver > (delete "nojunk" to e-mail)
Its highly unlikely that you could pass the FIP coronavirus to your cat from contact with another cat, at least I’ve never heard or read of the virus being passed that way. The usual mode of transmission for the FIP virus is injestion and oronasal. This is one virus, however, that can be passed to a cat by a human who has been in contact with or touched an infected cat, and that is the treacherous Feline Panleukopenia parvovirus (Feline Distemper/Feline Infectious Enteritis). This virus is very stable in the environment and can survive for as long as a year outside the body. It can be tracked in to your home on clothing and shoes. The Panleukopenia vaccine is the most important vaccination your cat should have. Phil. — "Cats have no masters…just friends" Good cat health stuff: http://maxshouse.com .
Response:
Yesterday I found a lost kitten in the parking lot, and someone in our office adopted the kitten, as it had been seen in the area for the last few days. He immediately took the kitten to the vet, who said that the kitten has a bloated stomach and a slight temp. He said the kitten may just be bloated from eating a lot of food that day after possibly starving for a day or two, but it could also be something more serious. This is a very friendly kitten about 4 months old who appears to be healthy (no runny eyes, no sneezing, is not lethargic and eats and drinks normally). I am glad we were able to find it a home, but I also wonder: if it does have something like FIP, could I have infected my own cats by petting and holding this kitten? I was careful to wash my hands in antibacterial soap when I got home, so I would think the danger is minimal, but I wonder if there’s anything to worry about. yngver (delete "nojunk" to e-mail)
Response:
not likely if you washed before handling your own cats Cindy – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – >Yesterday I found a lost kitten in the parking lot, and someone in our office >adopted the kitten, as it had been seen in the area for the last few days. He >immediately took the kitten to the vet, who said that the kitten has a bloated >stomach and a slight temp. He said the kitten may just be bloated from eating a >lot of food that day after possibly starving for a day or two, but it could >also be something more serious. >This is a very friendly kitten about 4 months old who appears to be healthy (no >runny eyes, no sneezing, is not lethargic and eats and drinks normally). I am >glad we were able to find it a home, but I also wonder: if it does have >something like FIP, could I have infected my own cats by petting and holding >this kitten? I was careful to wash my hands in antibacterial soap when I got >home, so I would think the danger is minimal, but I wonder if there’s anything >to worry about. >yngver >(delete "nojunk" to e-mail)
Response:
>Yesterday I found a lost kitten in the parking lot, and
someone in our office >adopted the kitten, as it had been seen in the area for the last few days. He >immediately took the kitten to the vet, who said that the
kitten has a bloated >stomach and a slight temp. He said the kitten may just be
bloated from eating a >lot of food that day after possibly starving for a day or two, but it could >also be something more serious. >This is a very friendly kitten about 4 months old who
appears to be healthy (no >runny eyes, no sneezing, is not lethargic and eats and
drinks normally). I am >glad we were able to find it a home, but I also wonder: if it does have >something like FIP, could I have infected my own cats by petting and holding >this kitten? I was careful to wash my hands in
antibacterial soap when I got >home, so I would think the danger is minimal, but I wonder if there’s anything >to worry about.
I asked several vets the same question last year when a kitten I had adopted from a shelter became ill very suddenly and died of an unknown infection. (I had kept him apart from my other two cats, and washed my hands, disinfected or threw out all the cat equipment he touched, but I was still worried). Some viruses are very persistent in the environment or on articles of clothing, etc. (e.g., panleukopenia) and are difficult to destroy. However, the vets were unanimous in telling me that young, healthy, vaccinated cats in good condition are at extremely low risk of contracting infectious diseases. They were correct-I never saw any sign of illness in my other two cats, and I watched them like a hawk for the next two weeks. Kittens, elderly, immunocompromised, or unvaccinated cats or cats suffering from malnutrition, parasites, etc. are more vulnerable, though. It’s also my understanding that the coronavirus which causes FIP is rather fragile, and is transmitted cat-to-cat through contact with fecal matter, rather than through the air or other means. Marca * Sent from RemarQ http://www.remarq.com The Internet’s Discussion Network * The fastest and easiest way to search and participate in Usenet – Free!
Response:
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