Animals and Disease

Animals and disease is a topic of special importance to persons who own or have frequent contact with pets. One of the most popular misconceptions about human and animal diseases is that they are mutually exclusive. They are not. The common childhood diseases of measles and mumps can be acquired and transmitted by pets. There are many others as well.

Several parasitic infections, such as pinworms, hookworms, and tapeworms, can be spread by pets. Cats can spread ringworm, as well as cat-scratch fever. The latter can be transmitted not only by a scratch, but also by biting or even licking.

Cats and especially dogs can also transmit roundworm to human beings. The usual victims are young children, who come in contact with the parasite while playing in dirt contaminated with the feces of the cat or dog.

Symptoms of roundworm include cough, recurrent fever, and mild loss of appetite. Dogs can also transmit heartworm to human beings. There are no symptoms, but routine lung X rays will show a lesion.

Scabies mites living in the hair of cats, dogs, and rabbits can attach themselves to humans, causing an itchy, pimply rash. The treatment consists of repeated washing with a medicated lotion and thorough cleaning of the house and all furnishings.

Typical allergic reactions to animal hair or dander (particles like dandruff that fall from skin, feathers, or hair) include a runny nose, watering or itchy eyes, and sometimes an itchy redness or even a rash on the skin. If the allergy triggers an asthma attack, the individual may start wheezing and experience tightness in the chest.

Treatment for allergic reactions may include antihistamine pills or nasal or lung sprays for immediate relief. Permanent relief may be provided by desensitization with injections of the substance known to cause the symptoms. Beginning with a weak solution, the dose is gradually increased over a period of weeks until a strong solution is reached and the patient is immune to its effects.

Special treatment for asthma complications include theophylline preparations or other drugs, such as terbutaline or cromolyn sodium, which can be taken in tablet form or in an aerosol spray.

Apes and monkeys have been known to carry tuberculosis, encephalitis, measles, yellow fever, infectious hepatitis, and salmonella infections. Pet turtles are considered to be a primary source of salmonella. Birds can spread psittacosis (parrot fever) and encephalitis. People who handle birds may develop an allergic respiratory problem known as bird fancier's lung. There are many other allergies caused by animals. Continued exposure often worsens the allergy.

Bites from animals can transmit infection or rabies and should always be reported to a doctor. The danger of infection can be greatly reduced by washing the wound with soap under running warm water for a minimum of 10 minutes. If bitten by a bat, skunk, fox, dog, or cat, one should follow the normal precautions for rabies.

To minimize the risks of disease, infection, or injury, avoid intimate contact, for example, kissing or allowing a pet to take food from the lips. Take your pet for regular veterinary check-ups and make sure that immunizations are kept up to date. Keep your pet clean and well groomed and keep children away from areas where pets defecate. Children should also be discouraged from making pets of wild animals. Squirrels, chipmunks, and woodchucks tend to bite when in captivity.