Do cats carry strep throat even if they show no symptoms?
My mom wants to know this because she has gotten strep at least twice over the past six weeks. We have a cat and she wants to know if he is responsible for it. He has never shown symptoms of strep but has gotten conjunctivitis. My mother works in the lab at the hospitol (and has for 25 years, so that's not the problem) and it is very clean and well kept.
So do cats carry it or not? HOw do you figure it out? And finally, does the person get a special treatment or the cat? Or both? Please answer! Thanks!
Cats do not get strep throat, but they may harbor Streptococcus pyogenes (also called Group A strep, what causes strep throat) from being around humans. They serve as a carrier of it for human infections. So, the cat should be treated when a family member has strep throat, especially if recurring infections occur.
Amoxicillin or azithromycin from the vet will take care of the strep in your cat. If the vet tries to give your mom Baytril for your kitty, ask for amoxicillin or azithromycin. Baytril will NOT work. Many vets don't realize that.
Take care!
May 16th, 2008 at 8:47 pm
Cats do not get strep throat, but they may harbor Streptococcus pyogenes (also called Group A strep, what causes strep throat) from being around humans. They serve as a carrier of it for human infections. So, the cat should be treated when a family member has strep throat, especially if recurring infections occur.
Amoxicillin or azithromycin from the vet will take care of the strep in your cat. If the vet tries to give your mom Baytril for your kitty, ask for amoxicillin or azithromycin. Baytril will NOT work. Many vets don't realize that.
Take care!
References :
I am a healthcare provider, specialist in microbiology, and infectious disease consultant.