I can get that?

Guest post by Dr. Broel

Has your veterinarian ever told you that there are some diseases your pet can give you?  Did you know that many of the recommended vaccines and treatments for pets also help to protect us from diseases as well?  This concept, called One Health, recognizes that the health of the human population is directly tied to the health of animals and the environment.  

Ebola.  This single word struck fear throughout the world in 2014.  A deadly disease, it spread like wildfire across West Africa and resulted in three confirmed cases, including one death, in the USA.  The outbreak was eventually contained, but not before killing over 11,000 people.

How does Ebola relate to you and your pet?  Ebola, like many diseases of our domestic dogs and cats, is considered a zoonotic disease.  The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) defines a zoonotic disease as a disease that can be passed between humans and animals.  Zoonotic diseases can be viral, bacterial, fungal and parasitic, and according to the CDC more than 60% of human infectious diseases are spread by animals.  While Ebola is not an immediate threat to pet owners here inUSA, there are many other zoonotic diseases that do put us, as animal handlers and owners, at risk. 

Rabies. One of the most well-known and feared zoonotic diseases of cats and dogs is Rabies.   Rabies is a virus that is spread through the saliva of infected animals, most commonly through a bite wound.  While all species of mammals are susceptible to Rabies, the most common sources of the virus that Union County veterinarians see are from exposure to raccoons, skunks, foxes, coyotes, and bats.  If you enjoy reading, check out Stephen King’s Cujo, a fictional story about a dog that turns rabid and terrorizes a small town in Maine: if that book doesn’t scare you then I don’t know what will!

Leptospirosis. Another zoonotic disease that veterinarians often discuss with their clients is Leptospirosis.  Leptospirosis is a bacterial disease that is seen most commonly in small rodents, and is spread to humans and domestic animals through the urine of infected animals.

 

 

Intestinal parasites (worms). Does your veterinarian recommend a yearly fecal?  This is to screen for intestinal parasites.  Many intestinal parasites, such as hookworms and roundworms, can be transmitted to us through infected feces.  Small children are particularly at risk since for contracting these diseases so it is very important to make sure your pet is parasite-free with regular screening.

While many zoonotic diseases exist, regular veterinary care can help protect you and your pets from becoming infected.  For a more comprehensive list of zoonotic diseases, or if you would like more information on how to be a healthy pet owner, please refer to the CDC’s Healthy Pets, Healthy People website at http://www.cdc.gov/healthypets/

 

 

Next time you see your veterinarian, remember to thank him or her not only for keeping your pet healthy, but for keeping you healthy as well!

 

Picture credits:

Dog swim: http://bit.ly/1UVsaKM

Cat and mouse: http://bit.ly/22oxRjm