ASK THE VET
Dr. Marieke Wevers DVM, MSc
Considering a family pet…
Q: I want to buy a pet for my
children. Are there any human health concerns that I should be aware of?
A: While animal ownership has many benefits that far out-weigh the risks, there are some human health concerns that all pet owners should know about. When a disease or infection is transmitted from animals to people it is known as a zoonotic disease.
Dogs and cats can
harbour intestinal parasites such as hookworms and roundworms. Most young
animals get these parasites from their mothers through the placenta and mother’s
milk. A pet infected with these worms will shed microscopic eggs in the bowel
movement and subsequently contaminate the environment when defecating outside.
People get roundworms and hookworms through exposure to contaminated soil, and
children are especially at risk when playing barefoot in sandboxes or areas
where animals have defecated. Hookworm larva (hatched eggs) migrate through the
skin and cause a skin irritation called cutaneous larva migrans. Roundworm eggs
enter the body when ingested (for example from contaminated hands) and cause a
condition called visceral larva migrans. In the most severe case the roundworm
larva can lodge in the eye and cause damage or loss of vision.
Other zoonotic
diseases include scabies, giardia, salmonella and leptospirosis. There are
several basic steps that can be taken to prevent the risk of transmission of
zoonotic diseases. Good hygiene practices like disposing of your pet’s bowel
movements immediately and encouraging your children to wash their hands
frequently will help deter the transmission of parasites. A full physical exam
of your pet at initial purchase and subsequently once per year will allow your
veterinarian to detect and treat these types of diseases. An annual bowel
movement examination (samples are examined under the microscope to detect eggs)
by your veterinarian will also prevent the spread of intestinal parasites.
Dr. Wevers can be reached at:
Foothills Veterinary Services
Hwy. 125, Acton Tel. 519-853-3246