Domestic animals, including dogs, cats, cattle, horses, poultry, sheep, and swine can transmit a variety of diseases to people. These are called Zoonotic Diseases. Noteworthy Zoonotic diseases include: Cat Scratch Fever, Wool Sorters Diseases, Milker’s Nodules, Q Fever, Ringworm, and Rabies. Anthrax, Parrot Fever and Salmonella also fall into this group.

Salmonella is a bacteria that causes severe diarrhea, and is a common cause of food poisoning. Chicken eggs can carry salmonella. Dogs, cats, birds and reptiles can also be carriers. Pets that carry Salmonella may or may not show signs but people become very ill. People that contract Salmonella are usually plagued with severe vomiting and intractable diarrhea which in some cases can be fatal. Transmission is by direct contact with pets, pet cages, living areas or food contaminated by Salmonella.

Preventative measures include, cleaning your pet’s living area thoroughly and washing your hands well with soap and water after handling contaminated pets, food or living areas. Be sure to contact your veterinarian and family physician for treatment.

Bookmark veterinarian and author, Dr. Carol Osborne, D.V.M. and www.carolonpets.com for the latest pet health news and updates for your dog and cat.

Life-threatening diseases people can catch from pets!

We are grateful to our pets for their unconditional love and attention, but host of lethal diseases that come from our four-legged friends have raised concern among pet lovers. Fortunately, science and common sense can help us avoid these dangerous bugs!

Diseases that can be transmitted from animals to people are known as zoonotic diseases. Among the multitude of sicknesses that can be spread from our pets to us are fatal viruses, malicious bacteria, and nasty intestinal parasites.

Rabies is the most feared zoonotic disease. Only found in warm-blooded animals, rabies invariably kills the host through painful seizures and other neurological problems within a very short period of time. Without a single effective treatment protocol, the thought of contracting rabies is one that would scare even the bravest person.

Bacteria, like the so-called “superbug” Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus, or MRSA, can be transmitted to pet owners. Other types can cause severe abdominal illness or even kidney failure in people.

Even the intestinal parasites, more commonly known as “worms”, can cause serious issues for us. Tens of thousands of people in the US and Canada test positive for canine and feline roundworms annually and some of these people will suffer partial or total vision loss due to the worms.

Fortunately, effective vaccination programs have lessened the effects of these illnesses on people. Rabies is almost unheard of in North America and many bacterial diseases have been kept in check thanks to routine wellness care for pets. Other diseases and parasites can be minimized by listening to your mother…wash your hands! Routine hand washing has been shown to lessen the spread of many germs and parasites.

Zoonotic diseases are truly the specialty of your family veterinarian. Their expertise is this area can help keep your whole family safe!

Cat Rabies is on the increase. Presently the number of documented cases of Feline Rabies exceeds that of all other domestic animals. Cat Rabies is a major public health concern.

Because of the fatal outcome and potential for human exposure, Rabies vaccination is recommended, it’s also a law in many states. All cats 12 weeks of age and older can receive an initial shot which is repeated at 1 or 3 year intervals, depending on the vaccine. Having your cat vaccinated for Rabies can also protect you legally. If an unvaccinated pet is bitten by another unvaccinated animal, the pet must be quarantined for 6 months or euthanized. Putting a healthy pet to sleep just because he was not vaccinated is a tragedy for all involved.

RINGWORM (DERMATOPHYTOSIS)
Ringworm is the most common fungal infection of dogs and cats in the world. The incidence is three times higher in cats than in dogs and prevails in warm, humid climates. Ringworm, or Dermatophytosis, is an infection of the hair and hair follicles caused by certain types of Fungi termed Dermatophytes. In cats, over 90 percent of the cases are caused by a Fungus called Microsporum canis. These Fungi live on “Keratin”, which is a product found in the superficial layers of the skin, hair, and nails.

Ringworm is easily spread to other animals and people. Children and young animals are most susceptible. The classic Ringworm lesion looks like a circular patch of skin with either no hair or broken hairs. The edges of the lesion are generally red, scaly, and crusty. Longhaired cats, less than a year old in multi-cat environments, are at highest risk. Ringworm is spread by contact with an infected cat, infected hairs, or skins scales shed into the environment.

Pets with Ringworm usually have lesions on their heads and/or faces, although lesions on other body parts may occur.
(NOTE: Some cats with Ringworm are “healthy carriers”. They carry and spread the infection but show no signs themselves.)

DIAGNOSIS

1. A fungal culture is the most reliable way to diagnose Ringworm. Infected hairs and scales are “plucked” from the edges of the lesion and sent to the lab. They are grown in a special medium that changes color in positive cases.

2. A woods lamp is an ultraviolet light under which infected hairs may fluoresce a yellowish green color. It can take up to five minutes for the infected hairs to fluoresce and those that do should be cultured to confirm the diagnosis.

3. A “skin scraping” examined under the microscope for fungal elements also aids initial diagnosis.

TREATMENT
To get rid of this fungus completely can take three to four months. It requires patience and a lot of work. Exact treatment depends on the extent of infection and number of animals involved. Minor skin lesions may heal with topical anti-fungal creams, but in most cases, a combination of oral and topical anti-fungal medications are necessary for complete healing.

Trimming hair from small-localized lesions with scissors promotes healing (disinfect the scissors with bleach between lesions to avoid spreading the infection and don’t use clippers to remove the hair because they are too hard to disinfect.) For pets with lesions spread all over the body, clipping the hair is not recommended because that actually spreads the infection. Infected pets should be isolated. Owners can stop treating when fungal cultures generate negative results.

ENVIRONMENT CLEAN UP
Cleaning up the contaminated environment is extensive and costly. If possible, dispose of all pets bedding, brushes, blankets, scratching posts, etc.

Contaminated items you can’t dispose of must be disinfected.
To disinfect:
• Wash in a solution of hot water and iodine soap, then soak them in the same solution for one hour.
• Rinse them with a solution of 1 part chlorine bleach to 10 parts water.
• Air-dry them in sunlight.

Also:
• Dry clean drapes
• Steam clean carpets
• Clean floors and walls with chlorine bleach
• Vacuum and disinfect all heating and cooling vents
• Change air filters weekly
• Also disinfect your pet’s carrier and your car or van and cat flaps.
• Vacuum your home daily
• Clean pet’s cage daily
(NOTE: Be sure to wear rubber gloves and wash your hands well to avoid spreading Ringworm to yourself and/or other family members. A Ringworm Vaccine is available but is not routinely recommended.)

CHLAMYDIA VACCINE: FELINE PNEUMONITIS

Chlamydia Psittaci is a microscopic bacteria like organism that lives in the tissues of the eye called the conjunctiva. Chlamydial infection causes a syndrome called Pneumonitis and usually affects the respiratory system and/or the eyes. The most common sign is runny eyes due to conjunctivitis (X Ref Pg ). However, unlike the conjunctivitis caused by Feline Herpes Virus Type I (part of “Cat Flu”) these infections usually begin in just one eye then spreads to involve both eyes.

Chlamydia can also cause mild to severe respiratory disease with signs ranging from:

· Sneezing and a runny nose to

· Fever

· Pneumonia, and

· Diarrhea.

The runny eyes (conjunctivitis) respond well to topical eye ointments containing the antibiotic Tetracycline. Other medication may or may not be necessary depending on the severity of infection.NOTE: Chlamydial infections can be spread to people so be sure to wash your hands well after treating your cat. Humans generally develop a mild form of the disease called “Chlamydiosis”.

A vaccine for Chlamydia is available and may be given in combination with the Cat Flu (FVRCP) Vaccine. The vaccine will not provide complete protection but will decrease the severity of infection.

TOXOPLASMOSIS

Toxoplasmosis is the most common parasitic infection in the world. It affects an estimated 2 billion people or up to ½ of the world’s human population in theUnited States. This parasite is responsible for over 3,000 human infant infections, which occur as a result of congenital infection. Congenital infection is defined as transmission from mother to unborn baby during pregnancy. This is often called “Pregnant Woman’s Disease” because of the higher risk in pregnant women. Signs in infants can occur at birth, during the first few weeks or month’s of life, or several years later. The majority of cases appear at puberty. The most common signs in these children involve the eyes and/or the nervous system, and result in mental retardation. Deafness, fevers, liver dysfunction, skin rashes, and respiratory disease in a variety of combinations can also occur.In people with compromised defense systems, i.e., cancer, organ transplant patients, and individuals with AIDS, the disease is much more severe and often fatal.

The organism that causes Toxoplasmosis is a microscopic parasite called Toxoplasma Gondii. This parasite can be found in any cell of almost any warm-blooded animal. Cats are the primary reservoir of infection and are important in spreading the disease to other animals and people.

Cats become infected by eating infected prey; such as, rodents and birds acquired while hunting, and other raw meat. Two weeks later cats shed the organism in their feces, which remains infective for 7 to 14 days. Livestock become infected by eating feed contaminated with cat feces. Humans risk transmission by petting cats’ fur contaminated with feces or handling the litter of infected cats.

Most often people become infected through raw and undercooked meat. The initial infection in Human’s is mild and resembles a cold, so most people don’t even know they’ve become infected.

Most cats with “Toxo” show no signs. Occasionally, the Clinical Disease “Toxoplasmosis” does occur in cats. Kittens and adolescents are affected more often than older cats. Initially the signs are non-specific and include: Lethargy, Depression, Appetite Loss, and Fever. Pneumonia with severe respiratory distress is the classic sign in most cats.

Symptoms including:

• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Blindness
• Seizures, and
• Incoordination occurs when, and if, the infection spreads to other organs (the liver, pancreas, eyes, and brain).

Cats already infected with Feline Leukemia Virus or Feline Immune Deficiency Virus can be predisposed to develop “Toxoplasmosis”.

A presumptive diagnosis in cats is made by history, signs of illness, and blood tests that suggest Toxoplasmosis. An exact diagnosis requires microscopic examination of certain infected tissues. Treatment with antibiotics is generally effective in cats (Tribrissen for 2 weeks). No vaccine is available to prevent the infection or disease. Currently research is in progress.

To minimize your exposure risk, discuss Toxoplasmosis with your obstetrician if you’re considering having children.

1. A blood test can determine whether or not you have already been exposed.
a. A positive blood test prior to pregnancy means you’ve already been exposed and your baby should be protected.
b. A negative blood test means you are at greater risk of transmitting Toxoplasmosis to your baby if you become infected during your pregnancy.
To minimize human exposure risk (especially for pregnant women):
• Don’t let pet cats hunt – keep them indoors or put a bell around their neck to decrease successful predication.
• Wear rubber gloves when handling potentially contaminated soil, i.e., gardening, flower beds, children’s sandbox, litter box.
• Blood test household cats prior to becoming pregnant.
• Avoid handling litter box and have someone else change litter box daily or every other day.
• Wash all uncooked vegetables well before eating them (in case of cat fecal contamination).
• Wash your hands well after contacting soil, cats, uncooked meat, vegetables, and unpasteurized dairy products.
• Don’t eat raw or undercooked meat, and don’t consume unpasteurized dairy products.
• Cook all meat to 70C (158F) for 15 to 30 minutes before eating.

TICKS/LYME DISEASE

There are ten tick borne diseases recognized in the

United States.Three were identified in the last 25 years:

· Lyme Disease (1970’s)

· Human Ehrlichosis (1980’s)

· Human Granulocytic Ehrlichiosis (1990’s)

Ticks are external parasites that suck blood from other animals to survive. They are most prevalent in wooded rural areas but can be found anywhere animals live. Ticks bite dogs, cats, livestock, snakes, squirrels, turtles, ducks, robins, and people. Most ticks are just a nuisance but some transmit disease. For example:

· Lone Star and Deer Ticks carry Lyme Disease

· Brown Dog Ticks carry Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever

TICK LIFE CYCLE

The life cycle of the tick plays an important role in determining when disease can be transmitted.

1. Ticks lay eggs in the spring, one month later larvae emerge. The larvae feed once in the summer on small mammals (like rodents) especially the white-footed mouse, then over winter.

2. The next spring the larvae molt into nymphs. Nymphs feed on dogs, cats, deer and people in the late spring and early summer. Nymph are tiny, smaller than a mole therefore, difficult to detect in your pet’s fur.

3. In the fall, nymphs molt into adult ticks and feed on larger mammals, like white-tailed deer. They mate, lay their eggs, and die.

Nothing can actually prevent ticks from attaching to pets or people. The key is to remove the tick promptly.

TO REMOVE A TICK

Use tweezers and grasp the mouthparts of the tick as close to the skin as you can and pull back. If part of the tick’s head remains, use a sterilized needle to remove it, just as you would a splinter. Don’t squeeze the tick because that can cause the contents of the tick’s body to be injected into the person or pet, and if the tick is carrying a disease, the individual can become infected this way.

When you’re in an area that may have ticks, i.e., hiking or camping in the woods, check yourself, your children, and pets carefully in less than 12 hours. Most ticks don’t carry disease and if those that do are removed in less than 12 hours, it is unlikely that you and/or your family or pets will get a disease.

TICKS/LYME DISEASE

(NOTE: Wear rubber gloves to remove ticks, then put them in a sealed jar containing a little alcohol. Call your vet and/or physician to identify the tick, just to be sure.)

Lyme Disease is the most commonly reported tick borne disease in the

United States. A multisystem illness caused by the spirochete Borrelia burgderferi and transmitted by Ixodes ticks.

Lyme Disease is a complex illness that affects dogs, cats, other animals, and people. To date, cases have been reported in 44 states in

North America and many other countries around the world and the incidence is increasing. Lyme Disease is caused by a microscopic organism called a “spirochete”, which is transmitted through the bite wound of certain types of ticks, i.e., Deer Tick, Black-Legged Tick, Western Black-Legged Tick. The ticks must be attached to the victim for at least 24 hours to transmit Lyme Disease. If infection does occur, the disease affects the skin, joints, and nervous system.

In cats, signs are generally more vague than in the dog but arthritis with fever, lethargy, and appetite loss may occur two to five months after initial exposure.

TICKS/LYME DISEASE

Treatment is with antibiotics given for two to four weeks and your cat may suffer relapses.

PREVENTION

Since nothing can stop ticks from attaching, prompt removal and preventing exposure to ticks in the first place are the solution. In the past insecticides applied to the coat as a spray, powder, or dip killed the ticks but their protection only lasted three to five days. Therefore, in high-risk areas, treatment had to be repeated every seven to ten days. New monthly medication prescribed by your

vet can be given to cats as a pill or drops. These new products are easier to give and far more effective than those previously available. Frontline is a new, over-the-counter product that kills adult fleas on contact and controls ticks. Frontline is approved for cats over 12 weeks old and dogs. It comes as a liquid, which is applied to the skin between the shoulder blades at 30-day intervals.

(NOTE: Cats are very sensitive to insecticides and only products specifically labeled for cats should be used. Your vet will be able to recommend the best product for your pet.)(NOTE: Vaccines are available for people and dogs living in high-risk areas.)

LEPTOSPIROSIS

Two types of leptospirosis can affect people:

· Weil’s disease – caused by leptospira icterohemorrhagica. A serious and sometimes fatal infection that is transmitted to humans by contact with urine from infected rats.

· The second form is caused by leptospira hardjo and is transmitted from cattles to humans.

Both diseases start as a flu-like illness with a persistent and severe headache. Anyone who is exposed to rats, rat or cattle urine or to fetal fluids from cattle is at risk. Farmers are now the main group at risk for both Weil’s disease and cattle leptospirosis, the cattle form is a special risk for dairy farmers. Other people who have contracted leptospirosis in recent years include: vets, meat inspectors, butchers, abattoir and sewer workers. Workers in contact with canal and river water are also at risk.

LEPTOSPIROSIS TRANSMISSION

The bacteria can get into your body through cuts and scratches and through the lining of the mouth, throat, and eyes and after contact with infected urine or contaminated water, such as in sewers, ditches, ponds, and slow-flowing rivers. People working in dairy parlors are often in contact with cattle urine. Rat urine may also contaminate animal feedstuffs on farms.

PREVENTION

· Get rid of rats. Don’t touch them with unprotected hands.

· Consult your vet about the cattle infection.

· Cover all cuts and broken skin with waterproof plasters before and during work.

· Wear protective clothing.

· Wash your hands after handling any animal, or any contaminated clothing or other materials, and always before eating, drinking, or smoking.

Report any illness to your doctor. Leptospirosis is much less severe if it is treated promptly.

Early treatment and diagnosis are vital in Weil’s disease as jaundice is often absent in the early stages. The illness in leptospira hardjo may also be greatly shortened by appropriate antibiotic treatment.

Vaccinate pet dogs for leptospirosis annually.

Cat scratch disease is caused by an organism called Rochalimaea henselae.  This is a gram-negative bacteria and a member of the Rickettsia family.  Each year approximately 22,000 people in the

Studies have determined that the cat flea “ctenocephalides felis” carries the bacteria Rochalimae henselae, which is responsible for causing Cat Scratch Disease. (NOTE:  The cat flea also infects dogs and may be referred to as the dog flea.) 

 Antibiotic therapy (doxycycline or erythromycin) for up to 3 months usually clears the infection in people without immune compromise.  Individuals with defective immune systems, i.e. HIV positive, the disease may or may not respond to therapy. 

With 57 million cats living in over one third of

Teach your cat not to scratch or bite you.  Provide a scratching post.

Individuals with reduced immunity are more susceptible to Zoonoses, i.e., people undergoing cancer therapy and/or those positive for HIV, and should take extra precautions around pets.

According to a recent survey, the two disease agents of greatest concern for immune compromised individuals are Salmonella species and Toxoplasma gondii. Veterinarians listed Salmonella first. Because of the high incidence of Salmonella in reptiles, most vets recommend that immune compromised persons not own reptiles. Physicians listed Toxoplasma gondii as their greatest concern. This is why many medical doctors advise against pet cat ownership in immune compromised persons.

The potential health risks with these two disease agents also pose several questions. For both, contact with pets is not the only or even the most important source of infection for people. Contaminated foods are the most common source of disease transmission for Salmonella. Ingestion of undercooked meat and handling raw meat are much more important in transmission of Toxoplasma gondii than contact with infected pet cat feces. In addition, up to ¼ of the lamb and pork we eat already contains infective Toxoplasma tissue cysts. Cat ownership has not been associated with an increase in Toxoplasma positive blood tests (seroconversion) among HIV infected people.

Communication between physicians and veterinarians about Zoonotic diseases is minimal at best. The two groups also have significantly different views regarding the risks posed by certain infectious agents. Consideration to broader scale links between health care professionals would foster a wider consensus concerning infectious disease risks and would facilitate prevention of Zoonotic diseases for all of us, man and animal, in the future.