What can rats transmit to a cat? - briefly
Rats can transmit parasites (fleas, mites, tapeworms) and infectious agents such as Salmonella, Leptospira, and rabies virus to cats. These pathogens may cause gastrointestinal upset, skin irritation, or serious systemic disease.
What can rats transmit to a cat? - in detail
Rats can act as reservoirs for a range of infectious agents that may affect domestic cats. Transmission occurs primarily through direct contact with contaminated fur, saliva, urine, or feces, and indirectly via ingestion of infected prey or exposure to contaminated environments.
Common zoonotic and feline‑specific pathogens include:
- «Salmonella spp.» – bacteria causing gastroenteritis; infection follows ingestion of contaminated material.
- «Campylobacter jejuni» – bacterial agent of diarrhea; spread through fecal contamination.
- «Yersinia pestis» – causative organism of plague; rare but possible via bite wounds or handling infected carcasses.
- «Leptospira interrogans» – spirochete leading to leptospirosis; transmitted through contact with urine‑laden water or soil.
- «Bartonella henselae» – agent of cat‑scratch disease; rats may harbor the bacterium, facilitating indirect transmission to cats.
- «Toxoplasma gondii» – protozoan parasite; rats serve as intermediate hosts, and cats can acquire infection by hunting infected rodents.
- Various helminths such as «Trichinella spiralis» and «Hymenolepis diminuta» – acquired when cats consume infected rats.
- Rabies virus – transmitted through bites; rare in regions with controlled wildlife vaccination programs.
Viral agents documented in rodent populations that may reach felines include:
- «Hantavirus» – primarily a respiratory pathogen; transmission to cats is uncommon but possible through aerosolized rodent excreta.
- «Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV)» – may cause neurological signs in cats after exposure to infected rodent secretions.
Secondary health effects stem from allergic reactions to rodent dander and mechanical injuries from bites or scratches, which can introduce bacterial flora into wounds.
Preventive measures focus on limiting rodent access to indoor environments, maintaining rigorous sanitation, and ensuring up‑to‑date vaccination against rabies and feline panleukopenia. Regular veterinary screening for gastrointestinal parasites and bacterial infections is advisable for cats with outdoor hunting behavior.