Watch out, your pet is going to make you sick!
- Thread starter misticaleclipse
- Start date
Interesting, (and factual) article. Working in veterinary hospitals a long time ago, for me, I've gone thru ring worm, complete disinfecting processes when I've been sprayed with blood, handled leukemia cats, parasites, giardia dogs often having to change my clothes and scrub before going home to my own pets and kids. Now, as a kennel owner, I'm all too aware of how crutial it is to keep a very sanitary environment when dealing with multiple dogs. Some of the viruses and parasites these days are pretty horrendous. Does this change how I handle my own dogs? Nope... I must admit I share food, they sleep with me on occassion, and we love a good snuggle. I just make sure they are in good health, very regularly wormed because of the other animals and livestock they're exposed to and are kept very clean.
- Joined
- Apr 17, 2006
- Messages
- 2,550
- Likes
- 0
- Points
- 36
Having worked in an animal shelter for three years, and having been exposed to the most disgusting animals you can imagine, I can honestly say I have never been healthier. Since working there I have never had the flu or other problems. I do however, get ringworm fairly frequently. Just seem to have a weakness to it. I do let my babies share my food and kiss my face, and it hasn't hurt me yet.
I think people are skipping over this quote. Obviously, the article is not anti-pet. I would also have a hard time seeing people getting rid of pets due to this article. I worked in a pet store for a long time, and you'd be amazed how many people thing little little kids- 5, 6, 7- should have reptiles, amphibians, and birds as pets. Never mind the questions about who would be responsible... What about, who will make sure the kid washes his hands every time he cleans the cage, touches the pet, or feeds it?
I think, as pet owners, we do get lax about hygiene. I know I do. But these sorts of articles are good reminders that we can pass things between our pets and ourselves. Something like 80% of emerging infectious diseases are zoonotic. It's just a good idea to keep disease transmission in mind when dealining with our pets- doesn't mean we love them any less!
I think, as pet owners, we do get lax about hygiene. I know I do. But these sorts of articles are good reminders that we can pass things between our pets and ourselves. Something like 80% of emerging infectious diseases are zoonotic. It's just a good idea to keep disease transmission in mind when dealining with our pets- doesn't mean we love them any less!
I agree, it is not an anti-pet article in the least. It only seems that way because quotes that could be considered anti-pet have been accentuated in bold.
All it's saying is that pepole often discount the health risks of having a pet, and should be aware of possible health issues arising from pets. And I agree wholeheartedly.
All it's saying is that pepole often discount the health risks of having a pet, and should be aware of possible health issues arising from pets. And I agree wholeheartedly.
Of course there are health risks when you own a pet, but simple hygeine practices can greatly decrease that risk.
I don't freak out if my dog decides to give me a big smooch on the face. I just wash up afterwards. It's not the end of the world. They both sleep in my bed, I just wash my sheets often and make sure I keep the dogs clean. I keep the dogs free of worms, fleas, ticks, etc that could be shed in the house. I've had dogs all my life and I've always been very healthy. *shrug*
People are trying more and more to live in a perfectly sanitary plastic bubble, I guess.
I don't freak out if my dog decides to give me a big smooch on the face. I just wash up afterwards. It's not the end of the world. They both sleep in my bed, I just wash my sheets often and make sure I keep the dogs clean. I keep the dogs free of worms, fleas, ticks, etc that could be shed in the house. I've had dogs all my life and I've always been very healthy. *shrug*
People are trying more and more to live in a perfectly sanitary plastic bubble, I guess.
B
In reading this thread, that was the exact same feeling that I had. Some people are not getting the point of the article in my opinion. The writer is not anti-pet, he is pro taking some precautions. I see people all the time that feed their kids lunch after they come in from outside without asking them to wash their hands, which isn't very bright. Same goes for playing with your pet and then eating dinner without washing your hands. Might as well dip your asparagus in the toilet bowl before eating it, if your dog is one of the many dogs that use the toilet as a water fountain. I think pet owners practicing some common sense and basic hygiene would eliminate most of the problems.
like others have pointed out, this is pro-pet...
i just was surprised no one commented on those other people dying from those organ donations...that is a HUGE doctor mistake isnt it??? That is really, really sad though
Pets have also shown to reduce blood pressure, stress, anxiety, etc...they are just good for you! yay doggies
i just was surprised no one commented on those other people dying from those organ donations...that is a HUGE doctor mistake isnt it??? That is really, really sad though
Pets have also shown to reduce blood pressure, stress, anxiety, etc...they are just good for you!
yay doggies Howdy and dittos to your post Gempress!!! Though my dogs work cattle and live on a ranch, their health and hygiene are meticulously maintained to minimize risks for them, livestock, and us. Of concern to me, is the illegal exotic game that's being sold to the general public without any quarantine period or advising the owner of the health risks involved---it's frightening.
Other humans are the most risky "animals" to be around in terms of spreading diseases. Because, duh, they have diseases that are infectious to us (other humans), whereas dog diseases tend to be infectious towards other dogs. Even fleas come in specific "varieties"--dog fleas prefer dogs, cat fleas prefer cats, etc. Of course there are some things you can catch from pets. There's something bad pregnant women can catch from cats (I forget what, but they say other people should clean kitty's litter box, not someone preggers), ringworm can be caught by humans, and a lot of the hookworms and tapeworms and such can be caught by humans. And we can't forget bird flu! It's good to be aware of that.
But in general small children are the biggest spreaders of disease, not pets.
But in general small children are the biggest spreaders of disease, not pets.
Well all of this does fly in the face of all the data presented regarding "Pet Prescriptions". Time and again studies have shown that pets reduce high blood pressure and triglycerides and have a positive affect on the elderly who are often lonely and seeking a reason to live, shut ins, disabled who would never be able to live happy productive lives without their beloved therapy animals, the blind...well....you get the picture.
As for me, someone could take my pets out of my cold dead hands, regardless of these risks, and even if they sneak a face lick now and then. This would be especially so in the face of a deadly illness, when people tend to abandon you and your pets do not.
As for me, someone could take my pets out of my cold dead hands, regardless of these risks, and even if they sneak a face lick now and then. This would be especially so in the face of a deadly illness, when people tend to abandon you and your pets do not.
I was watching the dog whisperer last night and a woman was training her dog to be a service dog to help her with her panic attacks. I suffer from sever panic disorder myself and thought I might try to get Bentley qualified as a service dog.
I agree w/Tosca. I suffer allergies and asthma for my dogs because they do something MORE important for me.... they keep my mood up and keep my happy. The risk does not outweigh what my spirit gets from my pups. I am a happier person because of them and they give me reason to get up in the morning when I'm feeling low and depressed.
I agree w/Tosca. I suffer allergies and asthma for my dogs because they do something MORE important for me.... they keep my mood up and keep my happy. The risk does not outweigh what my spirit gets from my pups. I am a happier person because of them and they give me reason to get up in the morning when I'm feeling low and depressed.
Oh dear.. most of the reason people get sick now is because their bodies can't build up an immunity to anything anymore.. it doesn't have a chance to. All the insane cleaning, hand sanitizer stuff.. everyone's so scared of germs! It's madness! What's the worse that can happen if you DO get sick from your dog? I mean really? You'll get the poops? A little nauseous? OH NO!
I can understand if someone has special conditions.. immune system problems or something.. but come on! There are bigger things to worry about I think..
I can understand if someone has special conditions.. immune system problems or something.. but come on! There are bigger things to worry about I think..
With the organ donation thing-thats all whoever is in charge of the donations fault. Here you have to know what the person died from and explain all there symptoms. I knwo the last bad case I heard of was the rabies one(I don't know if thats what they mentioned in this article-I didn't read it all ). I cna't beleive that got through becuase that perosn had to have symptoms but I guess some strage stuff happens. Rabies isn't one of the tests they run obviously but you think there could have been a way to prevent that. rabies could have come from a bat so that doesn't really go back to pets. I see more cases of wrong blood types.
). I cna't beleive that got through becuase that perosn had to have symptoms but I guess some strage stuff happens. Rabies isn't one of the tests they run obviously but you think there could have been a way to prevent that. rabies could have come from a bat so that doesn't really go back to pets. I see more cases of wrong blood types.