Health Car For Handling Feral Cats

                                Health Care For Handling Feral Cats

Zoonoses: Potential Health Hazards For Humans

This document is a Fact Sheet compiled and copyrighted by Alley Cat Allies. They are
at P.O. Box 397, Mount Rainier, MD 20712. It is presented here by the Sterile Feral for
informational purposes. There may be individual items or procedures that differ slightly
between the SF and ACA. Our goals, however, are the same.

The feral cat population in this country has reached critical proportions and must be
contained. The preferred way to do this is to trap, neuter and release these animals
back into monitored colonies, and an increasing number of concerned people are doing
just that. Before beginning feral cat care, you should be aware of both health concerns
of the cats and potential hazards to humans, specifically, zoonotic diseases, which are
diseases that are transmitted from animals to humans. While these hazards are few,
you should take precautions when handling feral cats. Wear padded gloves, a shirt or
jacket with long, thick sleeves, and perhaps most important, get a pre-exposure rabies
vaccination.

Zoonoses
Rabies
Of all zoonotic diseases, the most feared is rabies. Although there is an extremely low
incidence of humans contracting rabies, it still causes great panic. The primary carriers
of rabies are raccoons, bats, foxes and skunks, although any unvaccinated domestic or
non-domestic mammal can be a source of rabies. The Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention reports that in 1989 cats were responsible for only 0.4% of reported rabies
cases to humans (contracted mostly from domestic cats). Any cat who bites a human
should be quarantined for 10 days, examined by a veterinarian and then vaccinated
prior to release. For cats one year old and older, a three year intramuscular vaccine
should be given to provide the greatest protection.
Even though cats less than one year old may not receive the full three-year protection
of this vaccine, it still provides the greatest protection for both future human contact
and cat to cat contact.
For more information on rabies and how to fight it, see the ACA fact sheet, Rabies and
Feral Cats: Facts and Control.

Bacterial Diseases
Bites
Bites are the most common human-health problem. Bacteria in the mouths of cats can
cause infection, including swelling, inflammation and pain. All animal bites should be
treated properly, by cleaning the wound immediately and visiting a doctor or emergency
clinic for examination and treatment.

Cat-Scratch Fever
This pathogen can cause lymph node enlargement, fever, fatigue, sore throat and
headaches. Although most patients do not become seriously ill and recover without
complications, if you are scratched immediately wash the wound and contact your
doctor if any symptoms occur.

Chlamydiosis
Felines who have this upper respiratory infection can pass it along to humans in the
form of conjunctivitis.

Lyme Disease
Caused by the deer tick, this disease is not fatal, but can cause severe problems if not
diagnosed and treated in its early stages.

Campylobacter
Campylobacter jejuni is a normal gut flora in many cats that can proliferate when
intestinal parasites are present, especially in kittens. The main source of contamination
to both humans and cats is ingesting undercooked poultry. Though rarely serious in
humans it poses a greater danger to children, the elderly and immunocompromised
people. Symptoms are diarrhea (always); fever, aches, chills, and vomiting can occur.
Prevention is accomplished by wearing gloves when handling cat feces or cat, and
preventing contact with suspect kittens near the facial area. Treatment is seldom
necessary, but if you experience symptoms you should contact your physician.