Posted by Savneet Singh on Mar.04, 2009

©iStockphoto.com - Jennifer Sheets

Pet ownership is thought to be a key to heart health, social support, and long life, but have you ever thought that letting a pet dog lick your face, picking up its feces or allowing it to sleep on your bed could put you and your kids at risk of catching infection? Pets can pass germs to human beings. Transmission of germs from animals to humans can occur either by direct contact between a person and an animal or through an intermediary insect like a mosquito or a tick. Although many germs are species-specific–meaning, they can infect only one or a few closely related species–other germs are able to cross species barriers and pass from animals or birds to humans. Virus and fungi are less likely to be transmitted from animals to humans, whereas bacteria and parasites that are normally found in animals find humans to be suitable hosts as well. Thus, many of the of the animal-derived infections are caused by bacteria or parasites.

Dogs

The risk of infection caused by a dog bite is somewhat lower than for a cat bite. This is because dogs have flatter teeth and larger jaws which cause crush-type injuries, whereas cats cause deep penetration wounds. Dog bites may cause localized redness, tenderness of deeper tissues including bones. The infection may spread to the organs via blood also. A unique bacterium, caused by dog bite is known to cause rare but severe infections in human beings, including sepsis and meningitis.

Dogs in USA have been almost universally immunized against rabies, reducing their role in transmitting rabies to human beings. Kids may accidentally swallow dog fleas during close contact with dogs, which may result in transmission of tapeworm to the the kids. Dog hookworm can get under the skin of human beings and cause extremely itchy red rash. Kids who eat dirt may get infection from the roundworms, which is shed in the feces of dogs.  Dogs carry ticks, which may carry disease-causing bacterium.

Cats

It is estimated that there are 400,000 cat bites every year in USA. Cats’  teeth are sharp and pointy, so they can inject germs deep into the wound resulting in a very high infection rate. Any bacteria present in cats’ mouth can cause infection. Some of these rapidly cause redness and swelling around the bite site, which may progress to involve a large area of skin and deep layers of soft tissue. Glands near the bite may become infected and the germs may even extend down to bone. The infections of hand joints are particularly severe. Bacteria can also spread to the blood stream of the bite victim, causing sepsis, meningitis and infection of virtually all organ systems.

There is an infection associated with cat scratches, called cat scratch disease. This is caused due to bacteria, and symptoms include swollen, red, and tender glands in the region of the bite as well as a fever and flu-like illness. The germs can even spread in organs like brain, liver, lungs and heart. Pet cats shed a parasite known as Toxoplasma gondii in their feces. Pregnant women who come in contact with soiled kitty litter are at risk of bacterial infection. Babies who catch this infection can have rash, swollen glands, enlarged liver and spleen, eye infection, brain infection or other abnormalities at birth.

Kittens and cats may carry roundworm, similar to dogs, with similar transmission routes and results. It may lead to flu like symptoms, abnormalities in blood counts and enlarged liver. Cat and dog feces may also transmit bacteria that cause gastroenteritis.

Birds

Birds can also spread infection. Bird droppings contain bacterium which cause psittacosis, a respiratory tract infection that includes fever, cold, cough and flu-like symptoms. These symptoms may progress to pneumonia involving the infection of liver and brain. Human beings can catch the infection by inhaling the airborne dust from the birds’ droppings. A fungal infection caused by the presence of fungus in the bird dropping may cause severe meningitis, pneumonia and other problems, especially in those who have poor or compromised immune systems.

Rodents

Rodents like rats, mice, hamsters, gerbils, guinea pigs and prairie dogs can cause a dozen of diseases in human beings. The rat bite fever, spread either by scratches or the bites by rats or mice  is caused by bacteria. Symptoms include fever, muscle aches, headaches, vomiting, pain and swelling in joints and rash. The hamsters and the house mouse have a virus in their urine and droppings which gets transferred to human beings by inhaling the dust of rodent excrement. It may also be ingested by taking food contaminated with rodent droppings or urine. Though his virus, rarely passes to human beings, it can cause meningitis, a flu like illness that can be serious. If a pregnant women gets infected with this virus, it may result in spontaneous abortion or the baby born may have brain abnormalities, blindness or mental retardation.

Rodents also shed salmonella bacteria which can cause human gastroenteritis. In 2003, 37 cases of monkeypox caused by pet prairie dogs were reported in the USA. The symptoms of the disease are fever, flu like illness, total body blistering rash and swollen glands. Monkeypox causes a milder version of smallpox.

Reptiles

Reptiles like snakes, lizards, iguanas, salamanders and turtles generally have salmonella bacteria which may cause infection to human beings. It has been estimated by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that 3% of USA homes have pet reptiles and around 70,000 people develop salmonella bacteria infection from them. Kids younger than 5 and adults with weakened immune systems are at a high risk of catching disease gastroenteritis which may spread to other internal organs.

You can prevent infections from pets by maintaining personal hygiene as well as hygiene of your pet.

Personal Hygiene

• Always wash your hands with soap and lots of water after handling your pet’s feces, toys, treats or food.

• Wash your hands before you cook, eat or come in contact with small kids.

• Try to avoid direct skin contact with you pet.

• Avoid letting your pet lick your kids hands, face or feet.

• Make sure that your kids wash their hands properly after they play with or feed the pet.

• Always keep the dishes of pets separate.

Your pet’s hygiene and health

• Take your new pet to the veterinarian as soon as it arrives at your home for examination. Some harmful bacteria, virus or fungus may be present in their body.

• Keep the feeding, sleeping and living area of pet clean.

• Always keep your pet clean. Trim its nails often.

• Visit a veterinarian yearly to keep your pet’s vaccination up to date and for its regular check-up.

• If your pet shows any sign of illness, inactivity or weight loss, contact your veterinarian immediately.

• Control the parasites which may be living inside or outside your pet’s body.

• Feed you pet high quality food.

• Don’t let your pet drink or eat from garbage, other animals’ feces or from the toilet bowl.

• While cleaning the bird’s cage, avoid disturbing its droppings.

• Keep the litter box away from the kitchen and eating area.

• Don’t dump litter here and there. Line the box with a plastic liner and then dispose off the litter after closing the liner

• Pregnant women should try to not to remove feces. If at all they have to do it, they should use rubber gloves and wash hands.

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Posted under Family, GDM Pets.