What can a mouse infect a cat with? - briefly
A mouse may transmit parasites (fleas, ear mites, Toxocara roundworms), bacterial pathogens (Salmonella, Leptospira), and occasionally viruses such as lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus.
What can a mouse infect a cat with? - in detail
Mice serve as reservoirs for several agents that can cause disease in felines. Contact with a live mouse, its carcass, or contaminated material provides a route for transmission.
Common bacterial infections include:
- Salmonella spp. – acquired through ingestion of contaminated tissue. Symptoms range from mild diarrhea to severe septicemia. Diagnosis relies on culture of feces or blood; treatment involves supportive care and, when indicated, antimicrobial therapy.
- Bartonella henselae – the agent of cat‑scratch disease. Mice harbor the organism in their blood; fleas that move between rodents and cats facilitate spread. Clinical presentation may involve fever, lymphadenopathy, or ocular lesions. Serology and PCR confirm infection; doxycycline is the preferred antibiotic.
- Leptospira interrogans – transmitted via urine in rodent droppings. Cats can develop renal infection, often subclinical, but occasional fever, icterus, or renal failure occur. Microscopic agglutination testing identifies the organism; doxycycline is used for treatment and prophylaxis.
- Yersinia pestis – the plague bacterium. Although rare, rodents can carry infected fleas that bite cats. Rapid onset of fever, lethargy, and swollen lymph nodes characterizes the disease. Confirmation by culture or PCR; aggressive antibiotic therapy (streptomycin or gentamicin) is essential.
Viral agents occasionally passed from mice to cats include:
- Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) – present in mouse urine, saliva, and feces. Cats infected through ingestion may show fever, neurological signs, or hepatitis. Serology and PCR are diagnostic; no specific antiviral treatment exists, so supportive care is required.
- Hantavirus – rodents shed the virus in excreta. Inhalation of aerosolized particles can lead to respiratory distress in cats, though documented cases are scarce. Diagnosis by serology; management is supportive.
Parasitic infections transmitted by rodents encompass:
- Toxoplasma gondii – cats become definitive hosts after consuming infected rodent tissue. Acute infection may cause fever, lymphadenopathy, or ocular lesions. Serology and PCR detect the parasite; clindamycin is the standard therapy.
- Roundworms (Toxocara cati) and hookworms – larvae can be present in mouse tissues. Ingestion leads to gastrointestinal upset and, in severe cases, intestinal obstruction. Fecal flotation identifies eggs; deworming agents such as pyrantel or fenbendazole are effective.
- Ectoparasites – fleas and mites that infest mice can transfer to cats, bringing secondary pathogens like Bartonella or Rickettsia. Regular flea control reduces this risk.
Prevention focuses on limiting rodent exposure, maintaining strict indoor housing, and employing effective ectoparasite control. Routine veterinary screening for zoonotic agents is advisable for cats with a history of hunting or rodent ingestion.