We love our furry companions, but did you know pets can occasionally pass on diseases to humans? These diseases are called zoonotic diseases, and they range from mild to serious health issues. Cats, dogs, birds, and even reptiles can carry germs like bacteria, viruses, parasites, and fungi, which can lead to conditions like toxoplasmosis, ringworm, or salmonella.
Common Zoonotic Diseases
- Toxoplasmosis: Often transmitted through cat feces, toxoplasmosis is a parasitic infection that can lead to flu-like symptoms in humans. It’s particularly concerning for pregnant women, as it can cause complications for the unborn child.
- Salmonella: Reptiles, birds, and rodents often carry this bacteria in their feces. Direct contact with these pets or contaminated surfaces can lead to gastrointestinal distress.
- Ringworm: This fungal infection is highly contagious and can spread through skin-to-skin contact or from shared items like bedding or grooming tools. It appears as circular, red patches on the skin.
Recognizing the Symptoms in Both Pets and Humans
Understanding the signs of zoonotic diseases in both pets and humans is crucial. If your pet shows symptoms like diarrhea, lethargy, or skin lesions, or if you experience flu-like symptoms, a persistent cough, or unexplained skin conditions, consider consulting a healthcare professional and your veterinarian.
The Human-Pet Bond: Health Benefits Beyond the Risks
It’s not all about the risks! Pets can significantly enhance our lives by lowering stress levels, boosting mood, and offering companionship. Their presence can improve cardiovascular health and even reduce anxiety. The benefits often outweigh the risks, especially with proper hygiene and care.
Real-Life Example: A Cautionary Tale
One case involved a dog owner who began experiencing persistent flu-like symptoms. After visiting multiple doctors, the diagnosis was traced back to leptospirosis, a bacterial infection the dog unknowingly passed to its owner. The solution? Better hygiene practices and a trip to the vet for some preventive measures.
By taking precautions and staying informed, you can continue to enjoy the joy your pet brings without worrying about the possible health risks.
Cat Scratch Fever- Don’t play rough with kitty or let him lick your wounds because about 40 percent of cats are a natural reservoir of Bartonella henselae, an organism that’s also transmitted by ticks. Growing up, my rather savage cat named “Sugar” attacked me all the time. I was lucky! If you’re not, cat scratch disease causes swollen lymph nodes, headaches, fatigue, low appetite and/or fever. It’s almost impossible to eradicate and can cause life-long problems: Anxiety, panic attacks, seizure disorder, encephalopathy, memory problems, fog, chronic fatigue, joint pain, rheumatoid-like pain and foot pain. I’ve archived an article about this at my website.
Hookworms- This intestinal parasite has mouth “hooks” and latches on to your gut. Puppies and kittens may have it until they’re dewormed, but that’s not 100 percent insurance so be careful changing the litter box, or picking up dog poop, or letting your child play in sandboxes. Hookworms are passed by the fecal-oral route and can cause skin rashes, intestinal bleeding and abdominal pain. Toxoplasma gondii, another cat and dog-transmitted parasite is associated with schizophrenia.
Lyme Disease- It’s not a zoonotic disease but it’s epidemic, so it gets honorable mention. Borrelia burgdorferi causes Lyme and it travels with other pathogens like Bartonella, Babesia or Rickettsia. Pets carry ticks which jump on you and bite (you will never feel it, and rarely see it). Hundreds of symptoms can occur, causing you to get misdiagnosed with any one of 300 disorders, mainly autoimmune or fibromyalgia/chronic fatigue.
Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis Virus (LCMV)- If you love your guinea pig, hamster or mouse watch out, this virus is transmitted from rodent urine, droppings or saliva. No bite is necessary, LCMV can be transmitted into your mouth, nose, eyes or broken skin. When I was 18, I had a pet hamster named Tootsie (a left-over from my science project). He was cute and fuzzy so I know these critters are hard to resist. Still, don’t kiss them, and use gloves when cleaning their cage.
Salmonellosis- Salmonella is associated with contaminated food but your pet dog, cat, horse, turtle, snake, gecko or farm animal can pass salmonella into their feces. Touch it and you could get it! Great time to remind parents to keep an eye on your kids at the petting zoo! Symptoms include diarrhea, fever and stomach cramps. If it gets into the blood stream it’s bad news.
Parrot Fever- Caused by an organism called Chlamydophila psittaci, this can cause diarrhea, low appetite, weight loss, weakness, difficulty breathing, and eye infections. It’s dangerous and in some cases fatal.
How to Prevent Illness from Pets
While the risk of zoonotic diseases shouldn’t keep you from enjoying your pet, here are ways to protect yourself:
- Good Hygiene: Always wash your hands thoroughly after handling pets, their food, and their waste.
- Regular Vet Visits: Keeping your pet healthy through vaccinations, parasite preventatives, and regular check-ups reduces the risk of transmission.
- Proper Cleaning: Clean cages, tanks, and litter boxes regularly and avoid sharing your pet’s eating and grooming supplies.
Suzy Cohen, has been a licensed pharmacist for over 30 years and believes the best approach to chronic illness is a combination of natural medicine and conventional. She founded her own dietary supplement company specializing in custom-formulas, some of which have patents. With a special focus on functional medicine, thyroid health and drug nutrient depletion, Suzy is the author of several related books including Thyroid Healthy, Drug Muggers, Diabetes Without Drugs, and a nationally syndicated column.
