Pets are a great source of companionship that enriches life, brings comfort, and boosts overall happiness. Besides, it’s proven that pets can reduce stress levels, anxiety, and depression.
It’s a well-known fact, that America is a nation of animal lovers. According to the National Pet Owners Survey, during 2019 – 2020 approximately 67% of US households (it’s about 85 million families) own at least one animal.
Owning an animal (like a dog or cat) might be both beneficial for your health and risky if you aren’t aware of pet-related diseases. Pets spread infections, especially to kids, infants, and pregnant women, those who have weakened immunity. So, before buying a pet, learn the protection methods and simple tips to prevent you and your family from being affected.
Commonly pets carry certain types of bacteria, viruses, and parasites. In medical terms, a disease that is naturally transmittable by animals to human bodies is classified as a zoonosis and called “zoonotic disease”. For the most part, this transmission occurs when pets bit, scratch, or contact with a person.
Although, catching a disease from your domesticated animals is possible, in most cases using a method of basic infection control can stop spreading infection. Also, most transmittable diseases spreading from person-to-person or through food or water are self-resolving within a few weeks.
Animal-borne Infections
Here are some common animal-borne diseases that may cause mild or severe problems.
Campylobacter infection occurs when someone gets a close contact with a pet carrying the same name bacteria. In such cases, people infected by Campylobacter may experience diarrhea, gastric pain, and fever. Mostly, while getting medical treatment, doctors prescribe antibiotics.
Different types of worms are highly contagious fungal infections. They include threadworms, hookworms, roundworms, tapeworms, and ringworm which are usually infesting the bowels and gastrointestinal system. A human can get infected from frequent close contact or touching animals carrying these types of worms. Moreover, a weak immune system or tight clothes can contribute to the emergence and development of the disease. In such circumstances, it causes a skin condition up to serious illness.
Most of all, people get infected by dog and cat bites. While biting the infection transfers from animal to person. Particularly, cats’ (even kitten) bites are considered exceptionally dangerous and prone to an infection called cat-scratch disease. Primarily, cats may get infected from flea bites or by interacting with other infected ones.
If not treated immediately, the infected area may swell and populate with raised lesions and develop fever and headache. For preventing, the infected person has to wash bites and scratches with soap and water. After this, medical treatment in the hospital is recommended.
Preventing pet-related infections
Even though animals such as dogs, cats, horses, or others depending on care, the best way to prevent infection is to protect good hygiene. First and foremost, thoroughly wash your hands with soap and hot water after contacting animals or even feeding them. You can use disposable gloves when cleaning an animal’s waste, then throw them out in a lined trash can.
Some more advice:
-Don’t give human food to your pet. Feeding them with some human foods, not all, might be toxic for pets’ health.
-Keep your pet clean. Deep clean your house as well as the pet’s living area.
-It’s unsanitary to kiss your pet with mouth if you don’t have a healthy awareness of what could be in its mouth.
-Keep away from pet licking open wounds using a traditional method such as a cone or collar. Otherwise, cover the wound with a sleeve or strong bandage.
Read more about how to take care of your pets during the pandemic.
