Pet Ownership--Risky Business?
My-Dog.info > Dog Diseases, Bites, Worms & Ticks
Judy Folkenberg
Sharing homes with pets is a way of life for many Americans at
least 60 percent by some estimates. And the companionship,
affection and trust of pets can provide distinct health benefits
for their owners.
Studies described at a 1987 National Institutes of Health
workshop linked life with a pet with:
- higher survival rates in patients with heart disease
- increased self-confidence and independence in psychiatric
patients
- improved ability of children to interact with others
But if you're a pet owner or thinking about becoming one you
need to consider that these trusted companions can also present
some very real health risks. In addition to giving affection, the
millions of household cats, dogs, birds, reptiles, and other
small animals can impart diseases to their owners as well.
Zoonosis is a disease communicable between
vertebrate animals and humans, and between different species of
animals. Some of these diseases have been known for a long time.
The ancient Greeks, for example, were aware that rabies could be
transmitted through dog bites. And the bubonic plague that
decimated the population of Europe in the 15th century bridged
the gap from animals (mainly rodents) to people by way of fleas.
Growing List
The list of known animal-transmitted diseases constantly
changes, as improved diagnostic techniques identify zoonoses
previously mistaken for more common exclusively human diseases.
For example, in the 1960s, the role of felines in transmitting
toxoplasmosis in their feces was discovered. In addition, travel
to more remote parts of the world by people and the increased
international commerce in exotic animals have added to the list
of zoonoses.
Fortunately, most zoonoses are rare, and almost all can be
treated once a diagnosis is made. Here's a list pet owners should
be familiar with:
or roundworm, is a parasite that is carried most often by
nursing dogs and their puppies, and less often by cats.
Scientists estimate that virtually all puppies have roundworm.
Because children like to play in the dirt, they are most
vulnerable to picking up roundworm; and the disease is
transmitted through contact with the dog's feces or soil
contaminated with it. Symptoms of roundworm in humans are fever,
headache, cough, and poor appetite.
So prevalent and well-established is the dog roundworm in our
pet population that roundworm-free puppies can only be obtained
by raising several generations in isolation or administering
repeated high doses of anthelmintics (a type of drug that gets
rid of intestinal worms) to the pregnant mother dog.
Diana Post, V.M.D., a veterinarian with the Food and Drug
Administration, explains that much of the roundworm infection of
the mother dog is non-egg-producing and does not contaminate the
environment. However, it is more resistant to elimination with
anthelmintic drug treatment than the egg-producing contagious
type of infection found in the puppies. Egg-producing infections
may be found in adult dogs, although less frequently than in
puppies.
For this reason, many parasitologists recommend that
veterinarians consider treating very young pups two to three
weeks after birth (the time they would be expected to pass
infected eggs in their stool). This can be risky, though, because
immature animals, including dogs, are very sensitive to any drug
therapy. Such treatment should only be undertaken if it is
recommended by a veterinarian.
Both puppies and people can be treated with anthelmintics, a
class of drugs used in both human and veterinary medicine.
is a disease produced by infection with the one-celled animal
Toxoplasma gondii, a parasite capable of surviving in many
different animal species. It is sometimes spread to humans
through cat feces or dirt contaminated with cat feces. All breeds
of felines, even wild jungle cats, can become infected with
Toxoplasma gondii. The cat becomes infected by killing and eating
small rodents. But most people contract toxoplasmosis not from
cats but from eating raw or undercooked meat. Meat becomes
infected because cows and sheep graze in pastures that have been
contaminated by infected cats.
Toxoplasmosis infection is common and can infect almost all
species of warm-blooded animals. But most infected people do not
develop symptoms because, according to most estimates, about
one-third of the world's population has antibodies to the
disease. (Infected persons with immune system defects or those
receiving immunosuppressive therapy may develop a serious form of
the disease.)
Symptoms in humans are fever, headache, swollen lymph glands,
cough, sore throat, nasal congestion, loss of appetite, and skin
rash. The disease can be treated with antibacterial drugs.
Expectant mothers especially those in the first three months
of pregnancy should be especially alert to the possibility of
this disease because toxoplasmosis can cause miscarriage,
premature births, or blindness in unborn children. For this
reason, pregnant women should not clean a cat?s litter box and
should avoid eating raw or poorly cooked meat.
is a skin disease caused by a fungus, not by a worm as the
name would imply. Dogs, horses, cows, and most commonly cats pass
the disease on to humans. Only children pick up ringworm.
Long-haired kittens seem especially prone to ringworm, says Post.
The fungus infects cat hair, and a youngster can contract the
disease by petting the kitty. Ringworm can be diagnosed by
exposing the animal to a Wood's lamp, an ultraviolet light in
which the infected hairs look green. Treatment for ringworm
should be prescribed by the veterinarian caring for the pet.
In humans, infection usually occurs on exposed parts of the
body, particularly the scalp, appearing as an inflamed, scaly
lesion. Iodine-based soap or anti-fungal drugs cure the problem
in humans.
(parrot fever) is a bacterial disease that affects 130 species
of domestic and wild birds, most commonly pigeons, ducks,
turkeys, chickens, and parrots. Humans can get the disease from
parrots or parakeets through contact with their feces and the
dust from their feathers that accumulates in cages.
In humans, respiratory symptoms of cough and chest pain
usually predominate, but other symptoms may include fever,
chills, malaise, vomiting, and muscular pain.
Typical symptoms in an infected bird may include poor eating
habits or droopy feathers. On the other hand, the bird may show
no symptoms. Wearing a surgical or dust mask and rubber gloves
while cleaning the bird's cage will help protect against
contracting psittacosis. A blood test can confirm the diagnosis
of psittacosis, and antibiotics are an effective treatment for
the disorder in both humans and birds.
was first identified in the mid-1970s in the town of Old Lyme,
Conn. (See the July-August 1988 FDA Consumer, Ticks Carry Lyme
Disease Across U.S.) According to the U.S. Centers for Disease
Control in Atlanta, the disease has been reported in all but
seven states, but is most prevalent on the East Coast.
Lyme disease is caused by a bacterium called Borrelia
burgdorferi, which is transmitted to humans and other animals by
tiny deer ticks. These ticks pounce on white-tailed deer, field
mice, and other wild animals whose bodies are full of these
bacteria. The tick sucks blood from these animals, becomes
infected with the bacteria, and moves on to other animals or
humans, biting and infecting them. You may also catch the disease
from the family pooch, which can act as a tick trolley if an
infected tick being transported by the dog latches on to you.
However, keep in mind that only a small percentage of these
pinhead-sized ticks are infected with the bacteria.
Because Lyme disease symptoms are vague and numerous and may
mimic the symptoms of other diseases, doctors are increasingly
relying on two blood tests to help with diagnosis the ELISA and
Western Blot test. The first sign of the disease is usually a
bull's-eye insignia a small red pimple that later expands to form
a ring-shaped rash. Other symptoms include flu-like aches in the
joints, chronic fatigue, dizziness, shortness of breath, and a
rash. Treatment with antibiotics in early stages is imperative to
prevent the disease from progressing to more serious states
linked to arthritic, cardiac and neurological disorders.
Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever
now found in all parts of the country despite its name is
primarily transmitted by the American dog tick. You can pick up
the disease if bitten by an infected tick either from your dog or
in the woods. Symptoms include headache, fever, and skin rash. As
with Lyme disease, early diagnosis and treatment with antibiotics
is crucial to prevent development of more serious consequences.
currently is common in certain wild animals, including
raccoons, skunks, foxes, bobcats, and bats. (See September 1983
FDA Consumer, Raccoon-Borne Rabies Spreads.) Rabbits and rodents,
including squirrels, are seldom infected with rabies. Worldwide,
people most commonly are infected with rabies through bites from
unvaccinated dogs. On the east coast of this country, where
canine rabies has been controlled, the main source of infection
is wildlife or cat bites.
Though rabies is most often transmitted by a bite from an
infected animal it can also be spread through contact of an
animal's saliva with an open wound. Animals can harbor and
transmit the rabies virus long before the animal itself shows
signs of illness.
Rabies is almost always fatal. Vaccination of pet cats and
dogs is imperative to keep the disease from spreading both to
humans and to other animals.
If you are bitten by a cat or dog, check with the owner to
make sure the animal's rabies vaccine is current. Most states
require that, regardless of their vaccination status, the dog or
cat be quarantined for a number of days to double-check for signs
of rabies. In the case of a bite by a wild animal, a rabies
vaccine should be administered as a precaution.
To try to prevent infection after a bite, clean the wound
immediately with a strong jet of water, soap or detergent, and a
solution of alcohol or iodine. In some cases, this cleansing will
get rid of the virus, but it is always necessary to consult with
a physician immediately to see if you need a series of rabies
shots.
Cat Scratch Fever
The cause of this disease has not been positively identified,
but the source of infection is a cat scratch or bite. The
resulting sore at the site of the scratch is slow to heal, and
after one to three weeks, lymph nodes may swell and become tender
and painful. Although uncomfortable, the disease is rarely
serious. If it lingers, however, check with a physician, who may
prescribe antibiotics.
More Familiar Infection
Animals also can be the source of some more familiar
infections. Isadore Rosenfeld, M.D., clinical professor of
medicine in the cardiology division of New York Hospital-Cornell
Medical Center and author of Modern Prevention: The New Medicine,
offers this example: Children in a particular family are plagued
by sore throats, which, cultures show, are caused by
streptococcal bacteria. Penicillin is administered and the
infections are cured, only to reappear after a few weeks. There
must be a carrier in the family, but who is it. Finally, someone
thinks to look at the throat of the family dog, and the culprit
is found.
Similarly, Salmonella bacteria may be transmitted to humans by
animals. Salmonella infections cause mild to severe
gastroenteritis, inflammation of the stomach and intestine that
may cause diarrhea and vomiting. But such an infection can have
much more serious consequences in very young children and the
elderly, as well as in those whose immune systems are
compromised, such as AIDS patients.
Salmonella can be carried by dogs and birds, but turtles
present a special risk, so much so that in 1975 FDA banned the
sale of pet-sized turtles with a shell length of less than 4
inches. (See December 1987-January 1988 FDA Consumer, Risky Shell
Game: Pet Turtles Can Infect Kids.) A turtle from the wild is
just as likely to have Salmonella as is a domestically bred one;
thus, any turtle should be ruled out as a pet.
For that matter, any wild animal should be ruled out, says
veterinarian Post. The fact that a wild animal would allow humans
to approach it is reason enough to suspect impairment, perhaps
due to disease. If for no other reason, the prevalence of rabies
should discourage the notion of a pet skunk or raccoon.
Choosing a Pet
Despite these risks, the companionship of many kinds of pets
can be safely enjoyed with the exercise of common sense and some
reasonable precautions. The first rule of thumb is to be certain
that the pet you choose is healthy. A dull coat or drooping
feathers and lethargic behavior are not good signs. You may want
to check with a veterinarian or animal welfare organization for
further tips on the physical appearance of the kind of pet you
are considering.
In addition to looking over an animal with care, check out its
surroundings. Are they clean? Are cages and pens kept free from
animal feces? And, if you are dealing with a pet store, do the
other animals appear clean and healthy? Once again, a
veterinarian or local animal welfare organization can be a good
source of information on reputable stores and breeders in your
area.
Even if you don't consult with a veterinarian before obtaining
a pet, you will want to line one up to treat and care for your
animal. This is an especially good idea if you have chosen a bird
or more unusual animal. Some vets may specialize in the care of
these animals; others may not include them in their practice.
An initial check-up is definitely recommended to be sure there
are no problems that may have escaped the untrained eye. For dogs
and cats, puppies and kittens, you will need to provide the vet
all available information on inoculations and worming treatments.
Determine whether your vet has a procedure for reminding you
when it is time for new inoculations. If not, set up a schedule
and follow it carefully. You should also keep in mind that dogs
and cats may be exposed to parasitic worms and need to be
routinely checked and possibly dewormed regularly.
Here are some other tips for protecting your pet and your
family:
- Keep cages or pens scrupulously clean and free from
droppings.
- Remove solid waste from the cat litter box daily.
- Keep household pets clean and free of ticks and mites.
- Do not feed your pets raw meat.
- Discourage children from attempting to pet or handle
unfamiliar animals because there is no way of knowing
whether they are healthy. Moreover, some animals do not
recognize such attempts as friendly and respond by
biting.
- Never allow children to pet or handle a sick animal. And
teach children to wash their hands routinely after
handling any animal.
- Do not adopt wild animals as pets if they are injured.
Call the local humane society or a wildlife rehabilitator
who will take care of the injured animals.
- Avoid walking dogs in tick-infested areas during the
summer months.
- Never use pet waste as fertilizer. This material actually
has little fertilizer value, but can spread disease.
- Keep children's sandboxes covered when not in use.
Otherwise, they make tempting outdoor litter boxes for
neighborhood cats.
- If your dog or cat has access to a wooded area, check the
pet daily for ticks. If you find ticks, remove them
carefully to avoid being bitten. Deer ticks, associated
with the transmission of Lyme disease, are much smaller
than dog ticks. Roller-type lint removers are effective
in removing non-attached ticks.
Writing in the Journal of Pediatric Infectious Disease, Philip
Goscienski, M.D., notes that animal-transmitted diseases are all
too often unsuspected and unrecognized. He adds that a physician
treating a veterinarian or a zookeeper who is ill will be apt to
suspect an animal-transmitted disease atonce, but a pediatrician
treating a child who recently received a puppy as abirthday
present may not. When any family member is ill, therefore, it
isimportant to mention to the treating physician the number and
kinds of pets in your home.
Being alert to the possibility of animal-transmitted disease
and followingsome simple and sensible steps can do a good deal to
remove the risks frompet ownership and permit you and your family
to enjoy the pleasures.
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