Your pet can give you love, and pleasure, and devotion. But your pet can also give you a zoonotic disease.
Zoonotic diseases ,
(or Zoonoses) are diseases and infections that are naturally transmitted between vertebrate animals and man
There are two types of zoonoses: those that can be transmitted from animals TO humans, and those that infect animals AND humans. For instance, you can only get rabies from the bite of an infected animal. You and your pet, however, can each get Lyme disease independently from ticks.
While more common in developing countries and tropical climates, zoonoses pose a potential risk in industrialized nations as well, particularly to children, the elderly and pregnant women.
“Cat scratch fever,” isn’t just a song, it’s an infection you can contract from a cat’s scratch or bite.
“Ringworm” isn’t a worm, but a fungal infection that can be ring shaped. It can be transmitted by contact with the fur or skin of an infected domesticated pet.
Semiannual veterinary exams can help detect and treat zoonotic diseases in your pet. Other vaccinations such as, Lyme disease, rabies, giardia or leptospirosis, may be recommended. Meanwhile, keep your pet from coming into contact with urine or feces of other animals.
Water bowls left outside should be replenished frequently with fresh, clean water.
