ANIMAL HEALTH HAZARDS IN YOUR HOME
MINIMISE THE RISKS
The vast majority of pet-transmitted diseases are not frightening or fatal. Most are preventable and easily cured.
Only a small percentage of people contract a disease from a pet. The risks can be diminished by following a few simple precautions.
Only a small percentage of people contract a disease from a pet. The risks can be diminished by following a few simple precautions.
- Always vaccinate your pets against rabies. If you adopt a stray, take it immediately to the vet for a health check and inoculations.
- De-worm cats and dogs regularly.
- Wash your hands after gardening or handling your pet.
- Never allow a dog or cat to eat from your plate.
- Watch birds for decreased appetite and droopy feathers. Wear rubber gloves and a dust mask when you scour the bird cage, if you suspect a problem.
- Clean the cat lit every day. Wear rubber gloves to protect against contact with parasites. Washing hands and rinsing the litter box with near boiling water further reduces the risk of contracting Toxoplasmosis.
- Checking your pet for ticks at least once a day, if it roams free.
- TAKE YOUR DOG OR CAT TO THE VET FOR REGULAR CHECK-UPS
CAT-SCRATCH DISEASE
A bacterial infection often transmitted by a cat's scratch, though sometimes by a bite or a lick. Symptoms are tender, swollen lymph nodes, brief redness at the scratch site and occasionally a fever. Although the symptoms may linger for 2 - 6 months, most patients do not require treatment.
A bacterial infection often transmitted by a cat's scratch, though sometimes by a bite or a lick. Symptoms are tender, swollen lymph nodes, brief redness at the scratch site and occasionally a fever. Although the symptoms may linger for 2 - 6 months, most patients do not require treatment.
HOOKWORM and ROUNDWORM
Both dogs and cats can have worms and may even share them with you. Humans are infected through contact with soil containing dog faeces toughing hands and onto the mouth without washing hands.
Hookworm is a parasite found in some dogs, commonly in humid climates. Eggs pass in the dog's stool and hatch in the soil, producing tiny larvae capable of migrating through human skin. Once under the skin, they can cause an intensely itchy rash. Sometimes prescription medicine is required. There can, unfortunately, be many worm-related eye disorders - especially in the young and this can cause serious vision impairment.
Roundworm is a fungus that infects the hair of a dog or cat. This fungus can be transmitted back and forth between humans and pets by direct contact, and in humans can cause such problems as athlete's foot.
Both dogs and cats can have worms and may even share them with you. Humans are infected through contact with soil containing dog faeces toughing hands and onto the mouth without washing hands.
Hookworm is a parasite found in some dogs, commonly in humid climates. Eggs pass in the dog's stool and hatch in the soil, producing tiny larvae capable of migrating through human skin. Once under the skin, they can cause an intensely itchy rash. Sometimes prescription medicine is required. There can, unfortunately, be many worm-related eye disorders - especially in the young and this can cause serious vision impairment.
Roundworm is a fungus that infects the hair of a dog or cat. This fungus can be transmitted back and forth between humans and pets by direct contact, and in humans can cause such problems as athlete's foot.
TOXOPLASMOSIS
This amazingly common disease is often overlooked. Cats can pick hip the parasites from small rodents and the parasite is found in cat faeces. It can survive in a litter box, or in garden soil for up to a year before being brought home by the human - often in the dirt under fingernails. Many people suffer no ill effects, but he unlucky ones may experience fever, headache, swollen glands or skin rashes.
This amazingly common disease is often overlooked. Cats can pick hip the parasites from small rodents and the parasite is found in cat faeces. It can survive in a litter box, or in garden soil for up to a year before being brought home by the human - often in the dirt under fingernails. Many people suffer no ill effects, but he unlucky ones may experience fever, headache, swollen glands or skin rashes.
- Pregnant women should be particularly artful, as the parasite can severely damage the foetus causing birth defects, or even brain damage. Blood tests can detect the disease and anti-parasite drugs can reduce changes of transmission to the foetus by 60%. If you are pregnant, have someone else clean the litter box, if you possibly can.
BITES
Even a small nip can transmit Pasteurelia multocida, a bacteria, passed along in one-fourth of all dog and cat bites. A typical sign is swelling where the bite occurred, and is sometimes accompanied by a fever. Should you get bitten by a strange dog, you should be immediate medical attention.
Even a small nip can transmit Pasteurelia multocida, a bacteria, passed along in one-fourth of all dog and cat bites. A typical sign is swelling where the bite occurred, and is sometimes accompanied by a fever. Should you get bitten by a strange dog, you should be immediate medical attention.
PSITTACOSIS
Several species of birds, especially parrots and parakeets, can transmit this disease to humans through faeces and dust from feathers. Symptoms are a cough and chest pains, possibly accompanied by fever, chills, muscle aches and vomiting. Certain antibiotics can cure the problem.
Several species of birds, especially parrots and parakeets, can transmit this disease to humans through faeces and dust from feathers. Symptoms are a cough and chest pains, possibly accompanied by fever, chills, muscle aches and vomiting. Certain antibiotics can cure the problem.