Feral cats

My three year almost killed a kitten recently because of her childhood exuberance! It’s hot here in Guam so we spend most weekends slathered with sunscreen and playing at the pool’s slide. Recently I found the kids giggling and squealing over a tiny feral cat that was hanging out by the steps to the slide.

He was so cute and if I wasn’t a pediatrician I might have loved over that kitten myself! But I am a pediatrician and I couldn’t help but think what disease that little guy was carrying. The local animal shelter works with the community to find homes for these cats. But despite this, they are still abundant. In fact, as I am writing this a feral cat just walked by my window. Children need to be watched around feral cats they can carry diseases. The CDC: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that “Infants and children less than 5 years old are more likely than most people to get diseases from animals. This is because young children often touch surfaces that may be contaminated with animal feces (stool), and young children like to put their hands in their mouths. Young children are less likely than others to wash their hands well.” The most common disease that can be transmitted are: Cat Scratch Fever , the Plague and Toxoplamosis.

My girls resisted the kitten as long as they could. They crouched and said hello every time they walked up the steps. For most of the day, I caught little children careening down the slide and sent them on their way. But late in the day, a little brown furball came flying down that slide too. I scooped him up as he came by me and wouldn’t you know it my 3 year old, giggly and blissful, came flying down right after it. Yep! She had picked up that kitten and sent it off for a ride! Can you believe that? Just goes to remind you that kids and animals need to be watched, not only for their own safety, but for the animals!

Sheila Cason, MD