While many diseases will only affect one species of animals, there are some that will cross from one to another. A zoonotic disease can be transmitted from animals to people. As we share our home with pets, as well live in a community with many domesticated and non-domesticated animals, it is good to be aware of those diseases we could easily share. With good hygiene and preventive care, the risk of acquiring something from your pet is minimal, but remember that pets lacking care, feral or roaming pets, as well as wild animals will always pose a threat.
There are numerous diseases that pets and people can share. I will focus on the diseases we more commonly encounter in this area. The first article will discuss parasites and the second will cover other infectious diseases.
While reading about these parasites can be unnerving, with good hygiene and prevention measures, risk of disease can be kept to a minimum. The Companion Animal Parasite Council (CAPC) website for pet owners has extensive information about many parasites. It is a great resource for pet owners. The CAPC is the veterinary authority on parasitism.
Roundworms and Hookworms
If you have ever had a young puppy or kitten, your veterinarian probably prescribed a course of dewormer. This is because the life cycle of roundworms and hookworms is very difficult to break. The intestinal parasite exam (fecal sample) we recommend for every pet checks for these and other parasites. Most heartworm preventatives also protect against intestinal parasites, therefore year around preventative is recommended.
Roundworm—Pets with these parasites shed eggs when they defecate which will remain in the environment for years! Roundworm eggs can be accidentally eaten by people, most often children. A larvae from the roundworm egg can migrate into the liver, lung, brain, or eye tissues, causing significant and serious illness.
The raccoon carries a particularly nasty roundworm with similar characteristics. While it can migrate in organs or the eye, it has an affinity for brain tissue. It can affect pets as well as people.
Hookworm—While this parasite’s eggs will not survive in the environment for a long period of time (they are killed by freezing temperatures), they will also affect humans. The larvae “hatches” from the egg and will penetrate the skin of people that come in contact with it. It migrates under the skin causing an irritating rash.
Toxoplasmosis
The intended host of Toxoplasmosis is the cat. Cats are infected with Toxoplasmosis when consuming small prey, eating raw infected meat, or consuming Toxoplama eggs. An infected cat will shed eggs for approximately three weeks, but often show no signs of illness. The eggs must be in the environment for 24 hours before they can infect humans. Toxoplasmosis is acquired by humans (or other mammals) through either accidental ingestion of eggs shed by a cat or consumption of immature forms in undercooked meat. Toxoplasmosis is of particular concern for expectant mothers as it can harm the unborn child. Immunocompromised people are at higher risk of disease if exposed, as well. This parasite also has an affinity for brain tissue. Given the lifecycle of this parasite, an indoor kept cat on a commercial diet poses less threat to an expectant mother than the outdoor and feral cat population. One may encounter their feces when doing yardwork. Eggs can remain in the environment for months to years. Raw meat, particularly meat raised where food animals and cats comingle, can also have encysted immature Toxoplasma organisms.
Human exposure can be limited by daily scooping of litter pans, keeping cats indoors, not feeding raw meat to your cat, proper handling and cooking of meat for yourself, and wearing gloves while gardening.
With all parasites, picking up pet waste immediately, good hygiene, and preventative care for pets will limit likelihood of exposure. For more information on parasites and your pet, visit the website for the Companion Animal Parasite Council (www.petsandparasites.org).
article written by:
Laura Rau-Holl, DVM
Wolf Merrick Animal Hospital, Kenosha, WI
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