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How to protect your family and your pet. What Are Zoonotic Diseases? 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 or zoonoses (pronounced zoo-NO-sees). 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. That's why it's important to take precautions to protect both your family and your pet from zoonotic diseases. You share many things with your pet, but disease shouldn't be one of them. Cat scratch disease - also known as "cat scratch fever," this flea-borne infection is typically transmitted from a cat's scratch or bite. Signs include pimples at the scratch site and swollen lymph nodes that may persist for six weeks or longer. Ehrlichiosis - Transmitted by ticks, this bacterial disease can cause fever, musele aches, vomiting and ether; more serious symptoms. As mar:lY as half of. all patients require hospitalization'. Giardia - People become infected when they drink water containing the parasite Giardia lamblia. You can also become infected by putting something in your mouth that has come into contact with a pet's stool. Signs include diarrhea, stomach cramps and nausea. Leptospirosis - "Lepto" is a bacterial disease 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. Lyme disease - Spread by ticks, Lyme disease can cause arthritis and kidney damage. The number of Lyme disease cases has nearly tripled since 19902, and the disease is now found in virtually every state. Rabies - This well-known disease is caused by a virus found in the saliva of infected animals and transmitted to people by bites. It is invariably fatal if not promptly treated. Ringworm - Ringworm is a fungal infection - not a worm 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. Toxoplasmosis - This 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. • Wash your hands often when touching, playing with or caring for pets. • Never handle the stool of any animal without wearing disposable gloves or Iusing a plastic barrier. • Avoid kissing your pet or letting your pet lick your face. • Do daily "tick checks" on yourself, your kids and your pet. If you find a tick, use tweezers to slowly pull it out. After removing the tick, immerse it 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 immediately wash your hands after changing the litter. • Wash your hands after gardening or working in soil where pets may have relieved themselves. • If you are scratched or bitten, wash the area with soap and water right away and administer first aid. If you are concerned, contact your health care professional. See your veterinarian and make sure your pet is protected against zoonoses and other disease threats in your area. |