Be Careful Pet Owners! Your Furry Friend Can Make You Sick

If you already have a pet, obliviously you know how much fun and love he can bring into human lives. But, did you know that pets also bring something else that put human at a high risk of contracting some diseases? Along with real happiness and great memories, pets can also pass a multitude of diseases to human.

To protect yourself and your family from such dangerous diseases, it is worth your time to be aware of these diseases. Well, here are some diseases you might inherit from your beloved pet:










Salmonella

Most of the people often think that salmonella usually results from ingestion of the bacteria from contaminated food, but that's not the only reason. Sometimes, human can get it from pets also, through their feces. This bacterial disease usually doesn't make the dogs sick, however, it can cause serious illness when it is passed to human. Children and elderly persons and people who have weakened immune systems are generally at salmonella risk. If you are infected with salmonella, its signs and symptoms may include stomach pain, vomiting, fever, diarrhea, abdominal cramps and fever.

To lower the risk of salmonella:

• Wash your hands with soap and water habitually after contact with the infected animal and animal feces.
• Avoid any infected animal if your immune system is weak.

Ringworm

There is also a chance to get ringworm, a fungal infection if you are hanging out with dog or cat which has infected skin or hair. An itchy, scaly and reddish ring-shaped rash is a primary symptom of ringworm in people. If its infection spread to the scalp or beard, you might discover bald patches or brittle hair in some area. It can also affect the nails and make them thicker, discolored, brittle and crumble.

To prevent ringworm infection:

• Get in a habit of washing your hands with soap and water after playing with pets.
• If your pets have infected with ringworm, consult your vet immediately.
• In case of skin infection, keep the affected area clean and dry.
• If infection in scalp, do not share your combs, hairbrushes or hats.
• Daily change your underwear/socks if you have foot infection.
• Use flip-flops in locker rooms and public showers.
• Avoid sharing towels, clothing or other personal items with others.
• Wear loose-fitting clothes, that especially in cotton and natural materials

Cat Scratch Disease

As the name cat scratch disease already imply, people can get this disease from infected cat’s scratch or bite. The affected people shows the signs of a bump or blister at bite or scratch site, fever, swollen lymph node, poor appetite and exhaustion.

Sometimes, the mild flu-like symptoms can also occur. In rare occasions, it leads to brain swelling and heart infections.

Reduce the risk of this disease:

• Avoid playing with cat that may result in a scratch or bite.
• Always wash your hands properly after playing with your cat.
• If your cat bites and scratches you, instantly wash the wounded area with soap and water.
• Apply a basic antibiotic ointment on the wounded area. Otherwise, consult your doctor right away for appropriate treatment.
• Take flea control measures to reduce the chances of developing in your home and on your pets.
• Never allow your cat to lick your wounds.
• Don't touch stray or feral cats.

Lyme Disease

Pet are habitually ready to eat anything and hang out anywhere. It’s pretty common. So, their mouth and fur can carry bacterial-bearing deer ticks and drop them onto carpets or furniture in your home. Then such ticks come in contact with human and infest them with lyme diseases by biting. Pet is not a direct source of transmitting lyme diseases to human. Symptoms in human can include a bulls-eye rash at tick bite area, fever, fatigue, red patches on the skin, lethargy and swollen lymph nodes. If left untreated, it can be fatal and cause arthritis, loss of facial muscle tone and heart inflammation.

To decrease your risk of getting lyme disease:

• Don’t allow your dog to play in tick-infested areas
• Keep your yard and home tick-proof
• Use tick preventives on your pet
• Regularly check your dog’s coat and skin
• Wear light-colored long sleeves clothing and cover legs and arms with shoes, socks during hiking
• Remove a tick as soon as possible with tweezers.
• Don’t squeeze or twist it with your fingers as it can release Lyme-containing dangerous bacteria into the air. Simply, put it in a jar of alcohol to dispose of it.

Rabies

Rabies is a highly contagious viral disease that often spread through bites or scratches of rabies virus-infected pets like dog or cat to humans. This disease directly affects the central nervous system including the brain and spinal cord of humans and results into a fatal disease. Weakness, fever, and headache are early signs of this disease. Afterward, the disease quickly develops into symptoms of anxiety, insomnia, confusion, behavioral changes, lethargy and delirium.

To prevent being infected with the rabies virus:

• Keep your pet up-to-date on the rabies vaccine
• Stay away from rabies-infected animals
• Contact your healthcare provider immediately if a dog or other animal bites you
• Keep your pet and yourself away from wild animals
• Report your local animal control authorities, if you suspect rabid animal.

A final point, thorough hand wash routine, some common adequate hygiene measures and a good vet care are very important for the well-being of both pets and humans. By this way, you can keep unwanted diseases at bay and enjoy a long, happy life with your furry companion.

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