JP/17/DONYA

Understand your pets may prevent illness

Donya Betancourt Pediatrician drdonya@hotmail.com

This is part 2 of pets and disease.

Disease from fish

Mycobacteria can be found in aquariums. Infection usually occurs when minor skin injuries are exposed to contaminated water. Mycobacteria also can be found in swimming pools. Such infections are rare and usually lead to only mild symptoms. However, they can be a concern for people with AIDS and other diseases of the immune system.

Disease from reptiles

Salmonella is the most common disease spread by reptiles. This bacterial infection commonly leads to gastroenteritis, an inflammation of the stomach and intestine. Diarrhea and vomiting are common symptoms.

Salmonella can be serious in young children, the elderly and people with weakened immune systems.

The organism can also leave the intestinal tract and invade other organs, a more serious form of the disease. All reptiles carry salmonella.

Snakes, lizards, salamanders and turtles can transmit salmonella bacteria and are not recommended as pets.

Diseases from birds

Parrot fever (psittacosis) is a bacterial disease that affects more than 100 species of wild and domestic birds. Signs of an infected bird include drooping feathers and a change in eating habits, although some birds with psittacosis have no signs or symptoms.

In humans, psittacosis leads to coughing, chest pains, fever, chills and vomiting. Infection occurs through contact with bird feces or with the dust that accumulates in bird cages. Treatment for both animals and humans includes antibiotics.

Cryptococcosis is a fungal disease transmitted to humans when they inhale organisms found in bird droppings, especially from pigeons. The infection can lead to encephalitis and pneumonia. People with compromised immune systems are at a higher risk of contracting cryptococcosis. People with compromised immune systems as well as the elderly should avoid areas with bird droppings. Histoplasmosis, a similar fungal infection, is transmitted when people inhale dust from barnyards or other areas with bird droppings.

Diseases from other animals

Cestodiasis is an infection that mainly affects children. The source is a tapeworm found in rodents, including hamsters, and in contaminated food and water.

The rodent tapeworm is transmitted when people accidentally swallow infected rat fleas, beetles or cockroaches, usually after they have gotten into cereals or other stored foods. Signs and symptoms include vomiting, hunger, dizziness, irritability and fatigue.

In severe cases, the infection leads to diarrhea and abdominal pain. Medication can usually eliminate tapeworms within 48 hours.

Lymphocytic choriomeningitis is caused by a virus found in hamsters and mice. You can get infected by contact with the animal's urine, feces, blood or other secretions. In most cases, the resulting disease is mild. However, you can develop meningitis, and pregnant women can pass the infection to their fetus.

Prevention

Here are some tips to prevent infection:

Choose pets carefully. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that child care centers avoid keeping turtles, iguanas, venomous or aggressive snakes, spiders, or tropical fish. Those are wise suggestions to follow at home, too, especially if you have young children.

Ask your veterinarian for specific guidelines on caring for your pet. Clean aquariums, bathe your pet or clean objects from your pet's cage. If you use a bathtub for these purposes, clean it carefully afterward. Teach your children about caring for the family pet. Closely supervise this activity and be ready to take over. Wash your hands often, especially after handling your pet or cleaning its cage or tank. Make sure your children do the same.

Teach your children to avoid their pet's bodily fluids and feces. Remind them not to kiss their animals. Wear rubber gloves while cleaning cages and fish tanks. When caring for your bird, wear a dust mask while you clean its cage.

Keep pets in a confined area. Don't let small animals wander freely through your house. Keep your pet away from the kitchen and any other place where you prepare food.

Don't use the kitchen sink for pets at any time. Pets can be a marvelous companion to our children so let's insure that they give our children the happiness they deserve by teaching our children the responsibility of proper care for their pets.