Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Diseases transmitted from pets to man: an evolving concern for veterinarians.
- Journal:
- The Cornell veterinarian
- Year:
- 1978
- Authors:
- Kahrs, R F et al.
Plain-English summary
While pets are generally not a major source of infections for people, they can still pass on certain diseases, especially if there is close contact or poor hygiene. This means that if you don't wash your hands after handling your pet or cleaning up after them, you might be at risk. Veterinarians help prevent these diseases by promoting rabies vaccinations, encouraging proper cleaning of pet waste, and advising pet owners on how to safely care for sick animals. It's also suggested that people avoid keeping wild or exotic pets and limit how much they handle pets, especially children and pregnant women. Overall, the focus is on responsible pet ownership and hygiene to keep both pets and people healthy.
Abstract
Pets are not a major source of human infections but they can transmit certain diseases to man. This transmission usually is complex, requiring close contact with pets or their excretions and frequently involves a breach of sound hygienic practice. In some instances, pathogens of animal origin are acquired inadvertently because infectivity can persist after evidence of gross contamination has gone. Veterinarians participate in controlling zoonotic diseases by encouraging rabies vaccination and hygienic treatment of pet feces and urine, by supporting community efforts toward responsible pet ownership and by advising on precautions for handling sick animals. It is recommended that veterinarians discourage the keeping of wild or exotic animals as pets and excess fondling of pets (particularly by children and pregnant women). Clients and kennel workers should be advised to use caution with animals that have aborted.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/213237/