anthrozoology.org

Rabinowitz, PM; Gordon, Z.; Odofin, L.;

South African Family Practice.  2007. 49: 10, 27-33.

Human contact with cats, dogs, and other pets results in several million infections each year in the United States, ranging from self-limited skin conditions to life-threatening systemic illnesses. Toxoplasmosis is one of the most common pet-related parasitic infections. Although toxoplasmosis is usually asymptomatic or mild, it may cause serious congenital infection if a woman is exposed during pregnancy, particularly in the first trimester. Common pet-borne fungal infections include tinea corporis/capitis (ringworm); campylobacteriosis and salmonellosis are among the most common bacterial infections associated with pet ownership. Less commonly, pets can transmit arthropod-borne and viral illnesses (e.g., scabies, rabies). Infection in a pet can provide sentinel warning of local vectors and endemic conditions, such as Lyme disease risk. Treatment is infection-specific, although many infections are self-limited. Prevention involves common sense measures such as adequate hand washing, proper disposal of animal waste, and ensuring that infected animals are diagnosed and treated. Special precautions are indicated for immunocompromised persons. Increased communication between primary care physicians and veterinarians could improve treatment and prevention of these conditions.

Ichhpujani, R. L.; Mala Chhabra; Veena Mittal; Bhattacharya, D.; Singh, J.; Shiv Lal;
 

 Journal of Communicable Diseases. Indian Society for Malaria and other Communicable Diseases, Delhi, India: 2006. 38: 4, 355-362. 8 ref.

Rabies continues to be the most feared of all communicable diseases. Despite the availability the state-of-the-art tools that ensure near complete protection against rabies, India has the highest rabies mortality in the world. A multicentric study was carried out between April 2001 and September 2002 to assess the knowledge, attitudes, beliefs and practices (KAP) about animal bites and rabies in the general community. The proforma for interviewing the general community was developed and used after field testing. The study was carried out in six selected centres across the country (i.e., Delhi, Hyderabad, Raipur, Jamnagar, Coonoor and Rajahmundry) and was coordinated by National Institute of Communicable Diseases (NICD) in Delhi, after thorough briefing of designated nodal officers. A total of 1129 (male:female ratio, 48.5:51.5) adults (aged 18-80 years) were interviewed. Of these subjects, about 75% had attended school at some level, while the rest were illiterate. About 68.7% of the subjects had heard about rabies, and 60.7% believed that rabies is associated with dog bites only. Only 360 (31.9%) subjects felt that washing the wound with soap and water is the best option. Application of indigenous products such as chillies (11.4%), turmeric (5.6%), lime (6.8%), kerosene (2.3%), and herbal paste (4.2%) was also reported, along with visit to an occult medicine practitioner (1.5%). People were not aware of the number of injections needed for the treatment of animal bites. Negligence and ignorance (n=354, 31.4%), fear of multiple painful injections (n=365, 32.3%), expensive treatment (n=169, 15%), and long course requiring daily visits to anti-rabies clinics (n=73, 6.5%) were cited as reasons for non-compliance to treatment. Results suggest that there is need to create awareness among the masses regarding the epidemiology of the disease and the advantages of prompt and appropriate post-exposure treatment through enhanced IEC activities.

Sudarshan, M. K.; Mahendra, B. J.; Madhusudana, S. N.; Narayana, D. H. A.; Abdul Rahman; Rao, N. S. N.; Meslin, F. X.; Derek Lobo; Ravikumar, K.; Gangaboraiah;

Journal of Communicable Diseases. Indian Society for Malaria and other Communicable Diseases, Delhi, India: 2006. 38: 1, 32-39.

This was a WHO sponsored national multi-centric rabies survey and one of its objectives was to find out the incidence of animal bites, anti-rabies treatment practices, pet dog populations and the state if pet care. Twenty-one medical colleges in India chosen with geoscatter representation conducted the survey during February-August 2003. The survey was conducted in 18 states, covering a population of 52 731 chosen randomly from 8500 households. The annual incidence of animal bites was high, 1.7%, and it was more in rural areas (1.8%), children (2.6%) and poor/low income groups (75%). The main biting animals were dogs (91.5%; mostly strays (63%)), followed by cats (4.7%). A high proportion of bite victims did not wash their wounds with soap and water (39.5%), preferred Government hospitals (59.9%) and nerve tissue vaccine (46.9%). The use of rabies immunoglobulin was low (2.1%). A single animal bite episode led to a loss of 2.2 man-days and the cost of medicines including anti-rabies vaccine was Rs.252 (US$6). The recourse to indigenous treatment (45.31%) and local application to wound (36.8%) was quite prevalent. About 17% of households reported having a pet/domesticated dog and the pet dog:man ratio was 1:36. Pet dog care/management practices were not satisfactory with a low veterinary consultation (35.5%) and vaccination (32.9%). The situation was slightly better in urban areas. The people also reported the presence (83%) and menace (22.8%) of stray dogs. It is recommended to initiate appropriate community awareness and dog vaccination campaigns and effective stray dog control measures.

Enoch, D. A.; Karas, J. A.; Slater, J. D.; Emery, M. M.; Kearns, A. M.; Farrington, M.

Journal of Hospital Infection. Elsevier, Amsterdam, Netherlands: 2005. 60: 2, 186-188. 8

Abstract An 11-year-old border collie acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in a UK general hospital after visiting care-of-the-elderly wards. The dog and owner were both asymptomatic and had no apparent source of MRSA. The swabs taken after the ward visit grew MRSA. The antibiotic susceptibility profile was typical of MRSA found in the hospital. mecA gene was detected by polymerase chain reaction. The isolate was confirmed as MRSA and genotyping by pulsed field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) showed it to be a variant of EMRSA 15. Two other pet therapy dogs were screened before visiting the hospital and were found to be MRSA-negative. MRSA screening of the index dog two weeks later was negative. The isolates from seven known MRSA patients in the wards visited by the dog were identified as EMRSA 15 and displayed five different PFGE patterns. All differed from the dog isolate. It is suggested that pet therapy dogs can acquire and spread MRSA. Some guidelines for the prevention of spread of MRSA from pet therapy dogs for use in hospitals and in other health care settings are outlined. Further studies are required to assess carriage sites and prevalence of MRSA in pet therapy dogs and the potential risk to patients.

Fontaine, R. E. and P. M. Schantz

Anthrozoos 3(1): 45-49. (1989)

In a telephone survey in September 1986, 62% of interviewed households had pets (42% with dogs and 30% with cats). Respondents were poorly informed about the potential health hazards associated with animals. Only 63% of household heads believed that diseases of pets could be transmitted to humans and few could recognize specific zoonotic infections other than rabies. Other diseases such as ringworm, infectious diarrhoea, intestinal helminths (Toxocara), toxoplasmosis, heartworm, distemper and parvovirus were included in the list, and were spontaneously mentioned by only 10% of respondents. It is suggested that veterinarians could convey advice on prevention of zoonoses to most pet owners

Conti, L., S. Lieb, et al. (1995).

American Journal of Public Health 85(11): 1559-61.

Interviews were conducted among 408 adults with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome at three local health departments to determine the proportion who owned pets, their perceived attachment to their pets, and the proportion who were informed about zoonoses. Nearly half (187, or 46%) were living with pets, most commonly dogs (64%), followed by cats (38%), fish (15%), birds (8%), reptiles (3%), and rodents (2%). Most pet owners (81%) reported an attachment to their pet. Only 10% were informed of zoonoses, albeit some incorrectly. Health care providers should recognize the high pet ownership rate among persons infected with human immunodeficiency virus and correctly inform their patients of strategies to sustain a low zoonotic disease incidence.

Bugg, R. J., I. D. Robertson, et al.

Vet J 157(3): 295-301, (1999)

A study was conducted to determine the prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites in a sample of urban dogs in Perth and the knowledge of their owners about the control and zoonotic transmission of these parasites. Faecal samples (421), collected from dogs originating from five sources, were examined by microscopy and questionnaires administered to dog owners and managers/owners of pet shops. The prevalence of gastrointestinal parasitism was higher in pet shop puppies (51%), than in dogs from refuges (37%), breeding kennels (32.7%), veterinary clinics (15.6%) and exercise areas (5.3%). Protozoa, in particular Giardia, were detected more frequently (22.1%) than helminth parasites. After adjusting for other factors with multiple logistic regression, puppies less than 6 months of age, dogs living in households with more than one dog, and dogs from refuges were significantly more likely to be parasitized. The prevalence of Giardia was found to be directly associated with the number of doses of anthelmintics given in a year, increasing 1.2 times for each dose administered. The majority of owners were aware of the potential risk to human health from canine helminths, however only one third were aware of the means of transmission to humans. It is concluded that veterinarians can play an important role in increasing the level of awareness of canine zoonotic parasites.

Wong, S. K., L. H. Feinstein, and P. Heidmann.

Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, v. 215, p. 335-8. 1999.

Zoonoses, diseases that can be transmitted from animals to humans, can pose serious health risks to immunocompromised people. Although pets can carry zoonoses, owning and caring for animals can benefit human health. Information exists about preventing transmission of zoonoses, but not all physicians and veterinarians provide adequate and accurate information to immunocompromised pet owners. This disease prevention/health promotion project provides physicians and veterinarians with information, created specifically to share with patients and clients, about the health risks and benefits of pet ownership. Further, "Healthy Pets, Healthy People" encourages communication between veterinarians, physicians, clients, and patients and can serve as a model program for a nation-wide effort to aid health professionals in making recommendations about pet ownership for immunocompromised people.