How Cat Disease are Transmitted
The major cat diseases are caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi and rickettsiae. (The latter are bacteria-like organisms.) Before your cat can contract a disease, it must be exposed to the organism causing that disease. This exposure may consist of direct contact with an infected animal, eating infected food, or inhaling air infected by organisms. Also, minute droplets of water or mucus from a sick cat may contain types of virus or bacteria which find their way into the respiratory system of another cat. Rabies, a virus disease, is transmitted through the bite of a rabid animal, and fungus infections are spread by direct contact, wind and water. Cats contract ringworm and fauves, both fungus diseases, by rubbing against infected dogs, cat or human beings.