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| |    Health Concerns and Pets: Parasites, Rabies, and Other Problems by Susan E. Davis reviewed by Lynn Cates, M.D., F.A.A.P. Diseases caused by bacteria like Salmonella aren't the only health threats pets can unleash on their owners. Other potential problems include: Parasites (e.g., roundworms, hookworms, and tapeworm) Roundworms, hookworms, tapeworms, and many other kinds of parasites can take up residence in dogs and cats and then be transmitted to humans. Parasitic infestation can result in skin rashes, abdominal pain and distention, vomiting and diarrhea, weight loss, malnutrition, and, in some cases, organ damage. The best strategy for avoiding these parasites is to have the stool of your puppies and kittens checked and your animals de-wormed regularly. (Your vet can advise you on how often this needs to be done.) It is also crucial to teach your children to wash their hands with soap and water after handling animals or playing in areas where the animals may have relieved themselves (including sandboxes, playgrounds, gardens, and yards). In areas where hookworms are prevalent (generally warmer, wetter areas, like the southeastern United States), children also should not go barefoot where animals may have urinated or defecated. Flea control is crucial to avoiding some kinds of parasites, as infestation occurs after a pet or child is bitten by an infected flea. Rabies Wild animals are more likely to carry the rabies virus than domestic ones, but if your pet gets bitten by a diseased animal, it puts your family at risk for this fatal illness. The best prevention for rabies is keeping your cats' and dogs' rabies vaccinations up-to-date. It is also important to keep your cats indoors and your dogs under control when they're outdoors (so they don't tangle with a rabid critter like a raccoon, skunk, bat, coyote, or fox). Keep your yard free of garbage, pet bowls, and food that might attract wild animals. If your dog or cat is unvaccinated and bites a person, the incident must be reported to the local health authorities; the animal will be confined for observation by a veterinarian for 10 days. If the pet shows any signs of rabies, it must be euthanized and examined for the disease. Toxoplasmosis This disease caused by a protozoan (Toxoplasma gondii) usually is spread through contact with cat feces or eating raw or poorly cooked contaminated meat (e.g., lamb, pork, or beef). Toxoplasmosis infection in a pregnant woman poses a very serious threat to the fetus and can cause miscarriage. The severity of fetal damage depends in large part on when the infection occurs (the earlier in pregnancy, the more severe the damage). Harmful effects of congenital toxoplasmosis can include brain damage, blindness, growth retardation, and serious damage to any vital organ. This means that pregnant women should eat only well-cooked meat and wear rubber gloves when they clean litter boxes-or better yet, assign that task to some other member of the household. Pregnant women also should garden with rubber gloves on, so they don't accidentally touch infected feces outside. Bites and scratches Whether it's inadvertent or deliberate, most pets eventually will hurt their owners with their teeth, claws, or beaks, causing wounds that can get infected. Many bites and scratches can be prevented by training the animal--and the children--to behave properly around each other. Children also need to learn to read and respect the body language of a pet--that a kitty's lashing tail means she's getting angry or that a rabbit running away is saying "no, thank you." And keeping animals busy--with toys, training, or daily tasks (like fetching the newspaper)--can keep them calmer and happier. All these injuries and diseases can sound rather daunting, but the primary message is this: Pets are good for children, and with proper hygiene habits and veterinary care, every member of the family can stay healthy.
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