The Philippines holds the highest rate of dog ownership in Asia at 67%. (It’s also second in cat ownership at 43%.)
In terms of dog population, we are 7th in the world, estimated at 20 million.
But it’s not just dogs. Filipinos love animals in general. Birds, rabbits, reptiles, amphibians, fish, and other aquatic animals are pretty common pets too.
For every wag of the tail and every gentle purr, pets communicate their affection for their owners.
But this might not be the only thing communicated by our beloved home buddies. The silent exchange may include zoonotic diseases that can affect humans.
In this post, we look at some of the most common diseases pets can pass on to their owners and some of the practical ways to prevent this from taking place.
As a country that domesticates so many animals and lives in close quarters with them, we need to learn how to keep ourselves and our furry friends healthy and alert.
Most Common Diseases Of Our Pets
DOGS
Many diseases affecting “Bantay,” like distemper, heartworm, or parvovirus do not cross to humans. But some fungi, bacteria, viruses, and parasites can affect folks who come in close contact with them.
Examples are Salmonella, Brucellosis, Leptospirosis, Campylobacteriosis, tick-borne illnesses, and ringworm. Ringworm is a skin infection caused by fungi (not worms). In humans, ringworm looks like a raised, round, itchy, red spot that can be caught through contact with an infected dog’s fur, or indirectly through a contaminated environment.
CATS
Royal felines may act all haughty and holier-than-thou, but they can pass some nasty microorganisms to their doting owners.
Cat Scratch Disease (CSD) is caused by the Bartonella henselae bacteria. This happens through flea bites and fights with other infected felines. Many cats infected with CSD do not appear to be sick and show no signs at all, although some exhibit red eyes, swollen lymph nodes, low energy, low appetite, and vomiting.
In humans, the presence of a small raised bump at the site of the scratch (or lick) can be a telltale sign. Fever can ensue as a result.
Campylobacteriosis, Cryptosporidiosis, Giardiasis are some other common diseases passed on by cats. These are parasites and bacteria found in the feces of the animal.
BIRDS
They may look harmless, and often out of reach, because their usually caged up, but birds can still pass diseases to human beings. (Remember bird flu?)
Studies have found that birds and their poop have around 60 identifiable diseases. Many of these are airborne and can be contracted by humans.
For example, when birds peck on cow poop, the E. coli can pass into the bird’s system and be present in their droppings…wherever they happen to leave it.
Sometimes, human diseases like yeast infections, or infections of the urogenital tract can be traced to bird diseases—like candidiasis, which is a fungus infection from pigeons.
Other fowl conditions include Histoplasmosis, Cryptococcosis, St. Louis encephalitis, and Salmonellosis.
Birds are often part of a chain of inter-animal infections that ultimately end in humans. Like in cases of St. Louis encephalitis or West Nile Virus, mosquitoes feeding on infected birds can then transmit these diseases to humans.
FISH
Keeping fish as pets is well known for reducing stress. An aquarium in the room or a small pond in the garden can lighten the mood.
But keep your hands out of the water, especially if you have a cut or an open wound. The water can easily contain any number of parasites or bacteria that can enter through the breaks in the skin and cause trouble.
Examples are Streptococcus iniae, Campylobacter, Aeromonas, Vibrio, Edwardsiella, Escherichia, Salmonella, and Klebsiella.
By far, the most common is “fish tuberculosis” caused by Myobacterium entering the body through cuts. The infected region is often inflamed and uncomfortable and should be treated with antibiotics.
RABBITS & RODENTS
Rabbits and guinea pigs are too cute to be thought of as disease carriers. Nevertheless, immunocompromised individuals should not get too close as they might catch any of the common diseases from Bugs Bunny’s kin.
“Rabbit fever,” caused by the bacteria Francisella tularensis, has been known to transfer from rabbits and rodents causing the lymph nodes to swell and affecting the lungs, eyes, throat, and intestines, (depending on where the bacteria infects you.)
We’re already familiar with leptospirosis, which can be transmitted to humans through contact with urine or contaminated water.
The Salmonella bacteria can also be found in the droppings of rodents. Since these droppings are small and inconspicuous, they can easily contaminate food.
Rodents can often function as a reservoir of bacteria. And when fleas or mosquitoes feed on their blood, they become carriers of the disease and can easily infect humans with a single bite.
Keeping You & Your Pets Safe
1) Keep your animal healthy.
“Bantay” is healthy, then he won’t be a reservoir of diseases and he won’t be able to pass any to you.
Different animals have varying requirements, and you would have to provide nutrition and care appropriate for each type. Feed them well so their immune system can withstand and weather threats. Keeping them in good condition also means regularly giving them a bath, and being alert against ticks, mosquitoes, and fleas, which are often the delivery systems of disease.
2) Clean their environment.
Proper hygiene will go a long way in warding off unwanted infections. But more than cleaning or bathing your pet is required. Keep his surroundings clean and inhospitable to germs and bacteria. This includes cages and corners where your pet eats, rests, and plays. Unsanitary conditions like wet, damp, and dark places, quickly become breeding grounds for microorganisms that can harm your buddy.
3) Mind the poop.
Pay special attention to animal poop. You already know that these can carry parasites and bacteria that may be harmless to pets but can be harmful to you. Never forget to wash your hands and clean up after handling animal droppings and urine.
4) Limit close contact for certain individuals.
Family members and guests in the home should be educated on how to properly handle the family pet. Young children should only interact with pets in the presence of an adult. People who are immunocompromised should also keep a safe distance.
Pregnant women should avoid handling litter boxes and take extra precautions with certain pets, especially cats, to prevent toxoplasmosis.
5) Bring your pet to the vet.
Regularly bring him in for a checkup…even when things are fine. Vets can observe and see details and behaviors you may have not noticed. Many conditions don’t have any symptoms. Regularly taking him to the vet will ensure that you can stem any threat early on, become proactive, and avoid future complications.
Pets are members of our family. And as family members, it is our duty to keep them healthy. By doing so, we’re also safeguarding the well-being of the whole family.
BloodWorks Lab is your partner in health and well-being. Just as “Bantay” needs to come in for a regular checkup, so does the rest of the family. So BloodWorks offers various checkup packages to suit everyone’s needs.
As one of the country’s premier medical testing laboratories, we are your one-stop for all your blood test needs. We are the first in the country to introduce the Anti Acetylcholine Receptor (lgG) Antibody Test and the Anti N-Methyl-D-Aspartate Receptor (Anti NMDA Receptor) Antibody Test.
Book your appointment today.
Our branches are in Alabang, Katipunan, and Cebu.