by Sally Uhrich

Owning a pet can be a wonderful, rewarding experience for you and your family. However, pets can transmit diseases that may be harmful to humans-especially young children and people with certain medical conditions. These are called zoonotic diseases.

There are two types of zoonotic diseases that concern pet owners; illnesses that can be transmitted from animals to humans-like leptospirosis-and diseases that infect both people and pets-like Lyme disease. The following is a list of zoonotic diseases that affect people:

Ehrlichiosis is a bacterial disease transmitted by ticks. Symptoms include fever, muscle aches, vomiting and other, more serious symptoms. Many patients require hospitalization.
Giardia may occur by coming in contact with a pet’s stool. Signs include flu-like symptoms.
Leptospirossi is spread by contact with urine from an infected animal, including dogs, raccoons, squirrels and skunks. “Lepto” can cause high fever, severe headache, vomiting and, if left untreated, kidney damage or liver failure.
Cat scratch disease is transmitted from a cat’s scratch or bite. Symptoms include pimples at the scratch site, with swollen lymph nodes that may persisist for six weeks or longer.
Lyme disease, spread by ticks, can cause arthritis and kidney damage.
Rabies is found in saliva of infected animals and transmitted to people by bites, It is invariably fatal, if not promptly treated.
Ringworm is a fungal infection transmitted by contact with the skin or fur of an infected dog or cat. Signs include a bald patch of scaly skin on the scalp, or a ring-shaped, itchy rash on the skin.
Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever is a very serious, tick-borne disease that causes fever, headache and muscle pain, followed by a rash. It may be fatal if left untreated.
Toxoplasmosis is a parasitic disease spread by contact with cat feces in soil or litter, although the major route of transmission is contaminated meat. It can cause serious health problems in pregnant women or in people with compromised immune systems.

Simple ways to protect your family include:

Wash hand often when touching, playing with or caring for pets.
Never handle animal waste without wearing disposable gloves or using a plastic barrier.
Avoid kissing your pet or letting them lick your face.
Do daily, “tick checks” on yourself, your kids and your pet. Use tweezers to slowly pull out ticks. Immerse the tick in rubbing alcohol. Wash the tick bite wound and your hands with soap and water.
If you are pregnant, ask someone else in the family to clean the cat’s litter box. If you must do it yourself, wear gloves and wash hands immediately after changing the litter.
Wash hands after gardening or working in soil where pets and other animals may have relieved themselves.
If you are scratched or bitten, wash the area with soap and water and administer first aid.
Don’t let your pet drink from standing water outdoors
Don’t let your pet come into contact with feces or urine of other animals
Remove food, garbage or nesting materials that may attract disease-carrying wildlife

Many zoonotic diseases can be prevented by vaccination. Vaccines are now available for leptospirosis, lyme disease, rabies and giardia.

In addition, twice-a-year wellness exams performed by your veterinarian can help detect and treat zoonotic infections before they become serious, or are transmitted to other pets or people in your household.

For more information about zoonotic disease protection for your family and your pet, contact your veterinarian and visit www.NPWM.com.