How To Live In Healthy Harmony by Patricia Thomblison, DVM, MS (NAPSA)—More than half of all U.S. households with children also have pets. Dogs and cats can be wonderful companions and can teach children about responsibility. Unfortunately, pets can also be a potential source of health risks. Most pet owners are familiar with diseases like rabies and vaccinate their animals accordingly. Yet few understand the dangers of other zoonotic diseases—those that can be transmitted from ani- mals to humans—suchas intestinal parasites. “While uncommon, pets can and do infect children with parasitic disease,” said Dr. Daniel McCrimons, a pediatrician from Sacramento, Calif. “Some children have no reaction to these diseases, while others develop more serious symptoms. When disease is present, the pediatrician should work closely with the veterinarian so that the animal is treated appropriately as well.” Incidence of wormsin animals Almost all puppies and kittens How To Live In Healthy Harmony Preventing Zoonotic Disease 1) Be sure your pet receives regular veterinary care and that you follow your veterinarian’s recommendation for deworming. 2) Good hygieneis important. Wash hands frequently, especially after playing in the yard, handling pets or picking up pet waste. 3) Thoroughly washall fruits and vegetables before eating. Wear gloves when gardening. 4) Do notallow children to go barefoot, sit or lie on playgrounds or in parks where they are exposed to animalstools. Try fo avoid beaches where dogs are allowed to roam. 5) Clean cat litter boxes daily. 6) Control fleas and ticks on your pets. Follow good hygiene for your pet as well. Keep pets clean, and bathe them after your veterinarian has administered deworming medicine. @ Preventing the spread of zoonotic disease in the United States are born with worms or acquire them shortly “Zoonotic parasitic disease is a preventable condition,” said Peter Schantz, VMD, PhD, with the and kittens while pregnant and Prevention. after birth. Mother dogs and cats pass some wormsto their puppies others in the milk when their offspring nurse. These infections can lead to serious disease or growth retardation in the puppy or kitten and can cause widespread contamination of the environment with parasite eggs as well. After the eggs have been in the environment for only a few days, they become a potential source of infection for your pet, your children and adults alike. One worm may produce as many as 100,000 eggs every day, eggs that can survive in thesoil for many years. Although most children will have no symptoms atall, others may develop serious illness or tis- sue damage. When migration occurs in the eye, damage to vision or even blindness may result. When other organs are involved, the child may experience abdominal pain, headache, weak- ness, lethargy and wheezing. Centers for Disease Control and Although the transmission of serious parasitic diseases from pets to humansis rare, regular veterinary care and good hygiene will reduce the risk and allow you to fully enjoy the manybenefits of pet ownership. Parents can take steps to keep their pets and children healthy (see sidebar), includ- ing seeing their veterinarian for regular deworming of their pet. Pet owners need to be aware that heartworm prevention medicines do not necessarily protect their pet from intestinal worms. The benefits of having an animal companion far outweigh the risks. Following some simple steps to prevent parasite infection pro- tects the beloved two- and four- legged members of your family. Patricia Thomblison, DVM, MS,is a veterinarian with a master’s degree in Parasitology, and a member of the American Association of Veterinary Parasitologists.
