Can Your Pet Make You Sick?

You love your pets, and they love you. They give you love, companionship and are a constant source of entertainment. They make you happy, but can they also make you sick?

Unfortunately, in some cases, the answer is yes. While it's unlikely, it is possible for illnesses to be transmitted from animals to humans. Many of these illnesses-called zoonotic diseases-are caused by parasites, but some have a bacterial origin. While this is not intended as a medical guide, here is a brief overview of some of the more common zoonotic diseases.

Rabies. Do you remember how your parents used to tell you not to try to play with the raccoon in the backyard or touch pets you don't know? This is one reason. Rabies is a very serious (fatal!) virus transmitted through contact between broken skin and the saliva of an infected animal. It can be passed through mucous membranes such as the mouth or eyes, but it is most commonly caused by bites. Because of this, most communities require that pet owners have their pets vaccinated annually. Any mammal can be affected, but it is mostly seen in wild animals such as raccoons, fox, squirrels and bats. Do all you can to keep your pet (and children!) from coming into contact with possibly infected animals because, trust me, you do NOT want to have to get the treatment required after you're exposed to rabies! I got bit by a dog once and had to have a lot of painful and expensive shots. Keep your pets vaccinated, cover your garbage cans and don't leave out food because it can attract wildlife.

Toxoplasmosis. As I mentioned in a post on another blog, toxoplasmosis is a parasitic illness spread through contact with infected cat feces. This rare infection doesn't bother most people, but people with weakened immune systems and pregnant women can be adversely affected. It can cause birth defects such as vision problems, hearing loss, low muscle tone and mental retardation. This can be avoided by not handling or eating raw meat (pigs and sheep can have it too) and not coming into contact with sandboxes or a cat's litter box. If you ever needed an excuse for your husband to clean up after the cat instead of you, this is it!

Cat Scratch Fever. No, it's not just a Ted Nugent song. Cat Scratch Fever (also called Cat Scratch Disease) is caused by a bacterium called Bartonella henselae that is transmitted through scratches or bites from kittens and cats. As its name implies, this illness causes fever, fatigue, loss of appetite and swollen lymph nodes. Infections usually show up 1-2 weeks after contact with an infected cat. Since there is no way to tell an infected cat from a non-infected cat, you and your children can avoid it by not playing roughly with felines and washing any scratches or bites with soap and water.

Hookworms. Basically, they are parasites that can live in your pet's digestive system and 'hook' onto a person, causing painful skin infections. They are transmitted through animal feces, which means that your child can catch them by walking barefoot and/or playing in the dirt where a pet has used the bathroom. They can also cause severe abdominal pain if ingested, which is why you should make sure your pets are de-wormed.

These are just a few of the illnesses that can be transmitted from pets to humans. You can read more about them and other zoonotic diseases at WebMD.