Thursday, September 25, 2008
You might want to think twice the next time you bend down to give Fido a big smooch.
Kayse Aschenbrenner, operations manager at the Lawrence Humane Society, says pets can transmit infections like hookworm, ringworm and scabies to their loving owners.
Pets can also transmit a parasite known as Giardia to humans by going to the bathroom in water, say in a stream. Then, if a human ingests that water they get really sick and suffer some nasty symptoms like throwing up and diarrhea.
Ringworm isn’t actually a worm, but looks like a worm and a ring on the skin. Roundworms can also be transmitted from dogs to humans. If roundworm eggs are ingested by humans they can go into the eyes and into the brain.
Aschenbrenner says the staff members at the Lawrence Humane Society rarely get infected by the animals there. The most common affliction the workers catch is ringworm, because it is airborne.
Aschenbrenner says to regularly take your pets to the vet to help prevent the spread of diseases. She also says to keep an eye on your pet and watch for signs like throwing up or blood in their feces, which are indications of parasite infections. Also watch their skin for scabs, flakiness and hair loss, which could indicate ringworm. As always, washing your hands often will help prevent catching an infection.
Although getting serious infections from your pet is fairly rare, it never hurts to take precaution.
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