{"id":6025,"date":"2021-05-12T16:00:57","date_gmt":"2021-05-12T16:00:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/aercmn.com\/?p=6025"},"modified":"2021-05-12T16:00:57","modified_gmt":"2021-05-12T16:00:57","slug":"zoonotic-diseases-in-dogs-and-cats","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.aercmn.com\/blog\/zoonotic-diseases-in-dogs-and-cats\/","title":{"rendered":"Zoonotic Diseases in Dogs & Cats"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"letters,<\/p>\n

We love everything about our pets \u2013 well almost. It\u2019s often difficult to think about all the germs our pets may be carrying. While it\u2019s a topic most pet owners just want to sweep under the rug, it\u2019s important to understand our dogs and cats can carry harmful germs that could spread diseases to humans. Full disclosure, you might cringe a little or perhaps feel a bit of the heebie-jeebies \u2013 but remember, we love our pets! So, let\u2019s arm ourselves with the knowledge to keep them healthy and our families safe. Alright, here we go!<\/p>\n

\"hand,<\/p>\n

What exactly is a zoonotic disease?<\/h4>\n

Zoonotic diseases are caused by germs such as bacteria, viruses, parasites, and fungi that can be spread from animals to people. It is estimated that more than 60% of known infectious diseases in people can be spread from animals!<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

How does a person acquire a zoonotic disease?<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n

There are a variety of ways that people can acquire these infections, including:<\/span><\/p>\n

    \n
  • d<\/span>irect contact with body fluids of an infected animal or\u00a0<\/span>via<\/span>\u00a0bites\/scratches<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
  • i<\/span>ndirect contact with contaminated surfaces such as soil,\u00a0<\/span>bedding,\u00a0<\/span>or food and water dishes<\/span><\/li>\n
  • being bitten by a vector such as a tick, mosquito, or flea<\/span><\/li>\n
  • e<\/span>xposure to food or water that is contaminated with feces from an infected animal<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    Who is most at risk<\/span><\/span>\u00a0of contracting a zoonotic disease<\/span><\/span>?<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n

    Although anyone can get sick from a zoonotic disease, the following are at higher risk of developing severe infections:\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

      \n
    • c<\/span>hildren\u00a0<\/span>under<\/span>\u00a05<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>years<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>old<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
    • a<\/span>dults o<\/span>ver<\/span>\u00a065<\/span>\u00a0years old<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
    • p<\/span>eople with compromised immune systems<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
    • p<\/span>regnant woman<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

      \"roundworms,<\/p>\n

      What are some of the more common zoonotic diseases that may be carried by dogs and cats?<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n

      There are\u00a0<\/span><\/span>a number of<\/span><\/span>\u00a0zoonotic diseases that can be carried by dogs and cats, including rabies, ringworm, and\u00a0<\/span><\/span>tickborne<\/span><\/span>\u00a0diseases.\u00a0<\/span><\/span>Since those ones are more well-known, we\u2019re going to instead briefly cover three zoonotic diseases that are common,\u00a0<\/span><\/span>but\u00a0<\/span><\/span>less familiar<\/span><\/span>\u00a0to pet owners<\/span><\/span>:\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

      1. Intestinal Parasites (Roundworms, Hookworms, & Whipworms)<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h5>\n
        \n
      • These intestinal parasites can be passed from pets to people through the accidental ingestion of fecal material from infected animals \u2013 this is why it\u2019s important to wash your hands after cleaning up after your pet!\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
      • They\u00a0<\/span>can also be passed through ingestion of water or soil that has been contaminated with infected feces.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
      • Gastrointestinal distress i<\/span>s<\/span>\u00a0the most common side effect of intestinal parasitism and may range from mild to severe.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
        2. Protozoal Diseases<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h5>\n
          \n
        • Protozoans are a group of single-celled organisms that often\u00a0<\/span>live in<\/span>\u00a0water or moist areas such as\u00a0<\/span>soil<\/span>\u00a0or moss.<\/span><\/li>\n
        • Two common types of protozoan parasites<\/span>\u00a0that dogs and cats may carry<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>are<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Giardia<\/span><\/i>\u00a0and\u00a0<\/span>Toxoplas<\/span><\/i>ma.<\/span><\/i>\u00a0<\/span>\n
            \n
          • Giardia<\/span><\/span><\/em><\/strong>\u00a0<\/span>\n
              \n
            • s<\/span>preads by ingestion of the\u00a0<\/span>protozoa via contact with infected surfaces or food, soil, or water that has been contaminated by feces from an infected animal or person.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
            • m<\/span>ost commonly infects people via\u00a0<\/span>drinking of<\/span>\u00a0contaminated water from lakes, rivers, or pools.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
            • c<\/span>an cause<\/span>\u00a0a range of gastrointestinal symptoms.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
            • Toxoplasma<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/em>\u00a0<\/span>\n
                \n
              • i<\/span>s commonly carried by c<\/span>ats (<\/span>especially<\/span>\u00a0cats who hunt prey\u00a0<\/span>or consume<\/span>\u00a0raw meat).\u00a0<\/span>Cats<\/span>\u00a0rarely develop clinical disease\u00a0<\/span>from<\/span>\u00a0the\u00a0<\/span>infection but<\/span>\u00a0can\u00a0<\/span>readily\u00a0<\/span>transmit the organism via their feces for a short time.<\/span><\/li>\n
              • c<\/span>an be spread to humans via contact with infected cat feces, drinking infected water, or via ingestion of undercooked<\/span>,<\/span> contaminated meat or shellfish.<\/span><\/li>\n
              • does<\/span>\u00a0not\u00a0<\/span>cause<\/span>\u00a0symptoms of infection<\/span>\u00a0in healthy people<\/span>,<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/i>because their immune systems prevent the parasite from causing illness<\/span>. H<\/span>owever,\u00a0<\/span>T<\/span><\/i>oxoplasma<\/span><\/i>\u00a0<\/span><\/i>can remain in the body in an inactive state and become reactivated if the person\u2019s immune system becomes compromised.<\/span><\/li>\n
              • can cause a variety of developmental issues if a developing fetus is exposed to the organism via its mother.\u00a0<\/span>T<\/span>oxoplasmosis is the reason\u00a0<\/span>why<\/span>\u00a0pregnant wom<\/span>e<\/span>n\u00a0<\/span>are strongly discouraged from\u00a0<\/span>clean<\/span>ing<\/span>\u00a0cat litter boxes.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
              • c<\/span><\/span>an cause<\/span><\/span>\u00a0severe symptoms such as fever,\u00a0<\/span><\/span>headaches, nausea, and seizures<\/span><\/span>\u00a0in\u00a0<\/span><\/span>people with compromised immune systems.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
                3. Leptospirosis\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h5>\n
                  \n
                • is a\u00a0<\/span>bacterial disease spread through the urine of infected animals (commonly rodents) and can survive for months in soil and\u00a0<\/span>water.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
                • i<\/span>nfection can occur via contact with contaminated food, water, or soil, or through direct contact with urine and other bodily fluids (except saliva) from infected animals.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
                • s<\/span>ymptoms can be variable and may include general discomfort or unease, gastrointestinal upset, kidney or liver damage, or neurologic signs.<\/span><\/li>\n
                • Dogs can be vaccinated against leptospirosis, although due to the number of\u00a0<\/span>different\u00a0<\/span>strains, the vaccine is not 100% effective against all\u00a0<\/span>of them<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                  \"dog,<\/h4>\n

                  So, h<\/span><\/span>ow can I decrease my family\u2019s risk<\/span><\/span>\u00a0of contracting a zoonotic disease<\/span><\/span>?<\/span><\/span>\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/h4>\n

                  D<\/span>espite the possibility of zoonotic disease transmission from our beloved companions, there are\u00a0<\/span>many<\/span>\u00a0things you can do to protect yourself and your family<\/span>:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

                    \n
                  • Appropriate handwashing is one of the best steps you can take to stay safe<\/span>. Develop<\/span>\u00a0the habit of\u00a0<\/span>always\u00a0<\/span>washing hands after handling pets or their waste.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
                  • Discourage your\u00a0<\/span><\/span>pet<\/span><\/span>\u00a0from drinking from stagnant water sources\u00a0<\/span><\/span>to prevent illness from bacterial contaminants<\/span><\/span>.\u00a0<\/span><\/span>Instead, always provide fresh water.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
                  • As mentioned earlier, p<\/span>regnant women should not clean cat litter<\/span>\u00a0boxes<\/span>\u00a0due to the risk of\u00a0<\/span>Toxoplasma<\/span><\/i>\u00a0infection.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
                  • Families should\u00a0<\/span>consult with a<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>primary care<\/span>\u00a0veterinarian to\u00a0<\/span>ensure<\/span>\u00a0pets are routinely and appropriately treated for intestinal parasites to decrease the risk to your family.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
                  • Discuss vaccinating your dog against leptospirosis with your\u00a0<\/span>primary care<\/span>\u00a0veterinarian.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                    \u00a0<\/span>By tak<\/span>ing<\/span>\u00a0these proper precautions, we can continue to enjoy our furry friends safely!<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

                    \"woman<\/p>\n

                    If you have a concern about the possibility of a zoonotic disease in your pet, work with your family veterinarian to manage their care. Your veterinarian may also advise you to seek counsel from your physician to discuss any potential risk to you or your family\u2019s health.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

                    \"Kayla
                    \n<\/span><\/p>\n

                    <\/a><\/p>\n