Sleeping with Pets Talking Points
1) In a recent Emerging Infectious Diseases journal, the authors call out
a concern about allowing your pets to sleep with you. Citing more
than 100 zoonotic diseases that can be passed by our pets, Dr.
Bruno Chomel states that pets should not be in our beds.
2) Specific cases in the article included a man who developed
meningitis after his dog slept with him and licked his hip replacement
wound and a young boy who developed plague after sleeping with his
cat.
3) In other cases, 3 different owners contracted a rare respirtatory
infection (Pasturella) while caring for their dying pets. In each case,
the owners allowed the pets to lick them excessively or the owners
shared eating utensils with their pets.
4) While there is certainly a concern of zoonotic transmission, the good
news is that most of these diseases can be kept at bay with good
preventive veterinary care for your pets and common sense hygiene
for you.
5) Diseases like plague, tularemia and cat-scratch disease are all
directly or indirectly connected with fleas. Using a veterinary
approved flea control medication can help control and stop flea
infestations in the home.
6) Additionally, making sure all pets in the home are treated for fleas will
stop the life cycle. You should also ask your veterinarian about
products that can be used on carpets and furniture to kill flea eggs
and flea larvae.
7) Zoonotic parasites, like hookworms and roundworms, are found in a
large majority of puppies and kittens. It is estimated that about
10,000 people in the US contract roundworms each year. Some of
these people suffer a loss of vision due to the larvae of the worms.
8) Following your veterinarian’s guidelines for strategic de-worming of
your pets, as well as the use of monthly heartworm preventives, is
instrumental in stopping the transmission of these parasites.
9) You should always pick up your pet’s stool as soon as possible to
prevent contaminating your yard.
10)
Good hygiene practices, like washing your hands after playing
with your pet, can help minimize any potential spread of bacteria.
11)
Some people are going to be more susceptible to these
zoonotic diseases. Cancer patients, AIDS patients, the elderly and
very young children often have suppressed immune systems.
12)
It is even more important these individuals ensure their own
health by keeping their pets as healthy as possible.
13)
Bottom line…there is a risk of catching something from your
pet. However, the risk can be minimized and even removed
altogether by following your veterinarian’s recommendations for your
pet.
14)
Don’t let unfounded fears keep you from the unconditional love
of a pet. Ask your veterinarian how you can keep your pet healthy
and a part of your family.