ZOONOSES
Source: Kenneth Harkin
Note: zoonoses
is plural of zoonosis
ALTHOUGH
RARE, PETS CAN TRANSMIT DISEASES TO OWNERS
Dr.
Kenneth Harkin, assistant professor in the clinical sciences department in the
"The
animal does not necessarily have to be sick to transmit the disease,"
Harkin said. "Dogs may serve as vectors for tick-borne disease, while cats
can serve as vectors for both flea and tick-borne diseases.
"It
is also important to note that as populations expand and encroach on areas
previously occupied by wild animals, we may be opening ourselves up to
re-emerging or new zoonoses."
He
said there are several ways for a pet to contract diseases associated with zoonoses.
"Some
of them (diseases) are transmitted from the mother to the puppies or kittens
either in utero or shortly after birth," Harkin
said. "Others are obtained by hunting, such as eating rabbits, mice, rats,
or other wildlife, and being exposed to ticks and fleas."
There
are several ways an owner can become exposed to disease, Harkin said.
"Transmission
can be in the form of bites and scratches from the animal. Aerosol, tick
transmission, fecal to oral, and contact with
infective exudates, like draining skin lesions, are all major examples,"
Harkin added. "It is especially important to teach children good
hygiene."
He
also said persons with damaged immune systems should be cautious with their
pets.
"Patients
with HIV or on chemotherapy or immunosuppressive drugs are at a high risk of
pet-associated diseases. Toxoplasmosis, bartonellosis
(cat scratch disease), campylobacteriosis, salmonellosis and dermatophytosis
(ringworm) are probably the biggest worries," he said. "In humans,
toxoplasmosis can present itself as a neurological disease, lung disease,
malaise, lymphadenopathy, and chorioretinitis
(inflammation of the eye). Cat scratch disease can be present as an inoculation
papule that may spread and develop into a painful swollen regional lymph node.
Harkin
said an individual with bartonellosis might show
signs of a flu-like illness with fever, malaise and fatigue.
"They
may develop generalized lymph node enlargement, which may be abscessed,
seizures, inflammation of the eye, pneumonia, bacillary angiomatosis,
and peliosis hepatica, which is more common in AIDS
patients."
Because
animals with zoonoses may show no signs of being
sick, Harkin said it is difficult to identify specific symptoms in them.
However, the first line of defense for pet owners is
to ensure their animal is protected from disease.
"I
like to think veterinary care has reduced the risk of many pet-associated
diseases, but it is also likely a result of changing demographics of pet
ownership," he said. "Good flea and tick control and making cats
indoor only and preventing dogs from roaming will definitely help.
"Pet
owners should be aware of the risks, versus being concerned. It's fairly
uncommon for an owner to contract a disease from their pet. However, they
should seek annual health care to make sure their pet is healthy and free of
intestinal parasites."
Copyright 2001 Kenneth Harkin,
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