Health and Psychology

Many people who know me have met my fish DFW and my cat, Tatum, or at least have seen pictures.  In the past they knew me as the owner of Dalmatians-Zoey, Archie, Baxter, and Cinnamon.  Some people know that my last two Dalmations, Baxter and Cinnamon, died as a result of complications of methacillin resistent Staphlococcous aureous (MRSA) infections they acquired after my husband had a hip transplant that caused a hospital acquired infection in him that was transmitted to the dogs.  So let me talk about pets and health.  

The bad news:  There are several species of infections that can be transmitted from pets to humans.  Dogs and cats carry several species of parasites that can be accidently ingested or carry bacterial and fungal infections.

• Birds can carry bacterial and fungal infections.
• Cats can carry bacterial, fungal parasitic, and viral infections.
• Dogs can carry bacterial, fungal, parasitic, and viral infections.
• Fish can carry bacterial infections.
• Horses can carry bacterial, fungal, parasitic, and viral infections.
• Rabbits and small rodents carry bacterial and viral infections

The good news:   Pets can decrease your:

• Blood pressure
• Cholesterol levels
• Triglyceride levels
• Feelings of loneliness
• Symptoms of depression or anxiety

Pets can increase your:

• Opportunities for exercise and outdoor activities
• Opportunities for socialization

Not all diseases of animals are capable of being transmitted to people.  Tatum has a couple of infections.  She carries herpes viral infection of the eyes requiring special medication.  This infection impacts about 25% of cats and isn't transmitted to people or caught from people.  She has a current bout of tapeworms, and should be free of those in the next month.  I'm unlikely to catch those from her, she doesn't currently have fleas, which is how she caught them.  It's also likely why she has what's known as a rodent ulcer-from an alleric reaction to fleas.  Again it's not contagious.  She's previously had mange, which is far more common in dogs than in cats.  She gets a couple of medications bought over the counter to fix her health problems and a prescription medication for the tape worm.  

DFW (dead fish walking-named for my track record with fish) my Crowntail Beta Splendens, is quite healthy.  When the dogs had MRSA, the house was quarantined and no one was allowed in until they were bacterial free.  

Most animal borne diseases can be lessened for most people by simple hand washing after contact with the animal. If someone has a weak immune system it might be best to stay away from animals until the immune system is working better or at the least stay away from waste products, have someone else clean where the animal is housed, and keep the animal off the bed.  People undergoing chemotherapy, radiation, on immune supressing drugs such as prednisone, have HIV or are pregnant should reduce animal contact.

If you have a sick pet you should chek with your vet to see if the illness is potentially transmitted to people and what is needed to reduce risk.  The center for disease control http://www.cdc.gov/healthypets/browse_by_animal.htm has a list of various animals and possible diseases they carry.  

I think Tatum and DFW are wonderful additions to my family.  I tend to be more relaxed around them.  I get a kick about how my husband talks to the cat in that voice normally reserved for infants.  I use a lot more caution about the wild animals that visit my backyard including the squirrels, rabbits, moles, voles, and other rodents, possums, snakes, bobcats, coyotes, lizards, and all manner of birds, owls, hawks, and most recently today a road runner.  Those are best enjoyed on the other side of the sliding glass patio door.