Protect Your Family from Zoonotic Illnesses
Shining sun, outdoor play, and the risk of disease: These all increase as the weather warms. But you don’t need to stay cooped up inside to prevent zoonotic diseases, which spread between pets and people. Armed with the right knowledge, you’ll be able to keep every member of your family—furry or not—healthy and enjoying the fresh air this summer. Use this information to get a discussion going with your veterinarian, and maybe your family physician, if you suspect your pet has contracted any of these diseases.
Disease: Mange
Caused by mite species including Sarcoptes scabiei and Cheyletiella.
How it’s transmitted: Direct contact with mites on an infected animal
Signs and complications in pets: Itching, hair loss, dandruff or crusty lesions, and bleeding or oozing skin
How your veterinarian detects it: Performing a physical examination of your pet and taking skin scrapings (a diagnostic test)
Preventing the disease in pets and people:
- Clean pets’ bedding regularly.
- Vacuum furniture and carpets regularly.
- Keep pets on a monthly flea-and-tick-prevention product—many also kill mites—recommended by your veterinarian.
Disease: Hookworm Infection
Hookworms are thick, short (6- to 12-mm) worms that are whitish to reddish brown with a hooked front end. They live in the gastrointestinal tract.
How it’s transmitted: Through fecal-oral contact and, in pets, from mother to offspring
Signs and complications in pets: Diarrhea, anemia, weight loss, and deterioration of the skin and coat condition; adult dogs and cats may not show signs
How your veterinarian detects it: Performing a fecal examination and observing worm eggs under the microscope
Preventing the disease in pets and people:
- Promptly remove animal feces from your yard.
- To limit pets’ ingestion of infected feces, keep dogs on leashes or in a fenced area and keep cats indoors.
- Deworm puppies every two weeks until they can receive a monthly parasite-prevention product recommended by your veterinarian.
- Cover children’s sandboxes when not in use.
- Wear shoes and gloves when gardening.
- Wash your hands thoroughly after going outside.
Disease: Roundworm Infection
Roundworms are large (3- to 18-cm) worms that are usually tightly coiled when passed and look like spaghetti. They live in the gastrointestinal tract.
How it’s transmitted: Through fecal-oral contact; ingesting infected animals like rabbits or rodents; and, in pets, from mother to offspring
Signs and complications in pets: Vomiting, failure to gain weight, and deterioration of the skin and coat condition
How your veterinarian detects it: Performing a fecal examination and observing worm eggs under the microscope
Preventing the disease in pets and people:
- Promptly remove animal feces from your yard.
- To limit pets’ ingestion of infected feces, keep dogs on leashes or in a fenced area and keep cats indoors.
- Deworm puppies every two weeks until they can receive a monthly parasite-prevention product as recommended by your veterinarian.
- Promptly treat infected pets to prevent the shedding of roundworm eggs, which are hardy and long-lived.
- Monitor children playing in sandboxes and at parks.
Disease: Tapeworm Infection
Tapeworms are worms with a flattened, ribbon-like appearance. They live in the gastrointestinal tract.
How it’s transmitted: Ingesting infected fleas, rodents, and rabbits
Signs and complications in pets: Many pets show no signs; some pets might experience diarrhea and weight loss; pets may have anal itching that causes them to drag their hind ends across the floor
How your veterinarian detects it: Observing tapeworm segments in freshly passed feces and performing a fecal examination
Preventing the disease in pets and people:
- Make sure all family pets use a strict monthly flea-prevention product recommended by your veterinarian.
- Deworm pets that are good hunters with a broad- spectrum tapeworm medication every three months to keep the parasite burden down.