Zoonotic diseases and pet cats

Instructor

Erin Lashnits, DVM, PhD, DACVIM (SAIM)
Clinical Assistant Professor, University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Veterinary Medicine

Description

This course will provide an introduction to the zoonotic diseases that can be carried and transmitted by pet cats, as well as an introduction to diseases that are important to consider with cat adoption and relocation. Finally an overview of disease prevention methods will be presented.

Learning objectives

1. List and describe common zoonotic diseases carried and transmitted by pet cats
2. List and describe high-risk diseases important to consider during cat relocation
3. Recommend steps that people can take to prevent zoonotic disease exposure or introduction from pet cats

This session, Zoonotic diseases and pet cats, is approved for 1.0 enduring AAFP Prescribed credits.

AAFP Prescribed credit is accepted by the American Medical Association as equivalent to AMA PRA Category 1 credit(s)™ toward the AMA Physician’s Recognition Award. When applying for the AMA PRA, Prescribed credit earned must be reported as Prescribed, not as Category 1.

The AAFP has reviewed One Health Medical Education for a Changing Climate and deemed it acceptable for AAFP credit. Term of approval is from 01/02/2024 to 01/01/2025. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

References

Healthy Pets, Healthy People. CDC. Available at https://www.cdc.gov/healthypets/index.html

Weese, S. Worms & Germs Blog. Available at https://www.wormsandgermsblog.com

Companion Animal Parasite Council. CAPC Guidelines. Available at https://capcvet.org/guidelines/

Maggi RG, et al. Vector-borne and other pathogens of potential relevance disseminated by relocated cats. Parasit Vectors. 2022 Nov 8;15(1):415.

Almeria S, Dubey JP. Foodborne transmission of Toxoplasma gondii infection in the last decade. An overview. Res Vet Sci. 2021 Mar;135:371-385. 

Davis S et al. Survey of obstetrician-gynecologists in the United States about toxoplasmosis: 2012 update. Arch Gynecol Obstet. 2015 Mar;291(3):545-55.

Cats Report UK 2021 and 2022. Cats Protection (Sussex UK). Available from https://www.cats.org.uk