Healthy together: The vet about the rules of life with animals
interview: Karina Sembe
Life with pets - this is not only a holiday and joy, but also a big responsibility. Owners of cats, dogs or lizards are accustomed to monitor their health and just rush to the clinic, but do not always think that the agenda is not only the health of pets, but also the owners. “A bunch of infections from a walk,” “versicolor in the country,” “rodents have no place in the house where there are children” - the excitement is often exaggerated. Nevertheless, there are some very real problems, and it is easier to prevent the danger than to cure the consequences. We asked the veterinarian Tatyana Babenko how to protect themselves from diseases transmitted by domestic animals, and what their owners should take into account in order to maintain hygiene in the house.
About diseases transmitted by pets
If you dream of a pet, do not deny yourself for hygiene reasons. Of course, there are enough diseases that can be infected from domestic animals - anthropozoonosis, but the observance of the simplest security measures can significantly reduce the risks. There are several of the most common anthropozoonosis, and you can protect yourself from all of them. The most famous rabies among people, which is transmitted with animal bites, is quite rare, but very dangerous, since it is very likely to be fatal if clinical symptoms develop. Cases of recovery after a long stay in artificial medicinal coma are described, but this is the exception rather than the rule.
Both people and pets can get infected by bite or saliva of a wound with wild or already sick pets. From the time of infection to the disease can take up to two years, and your pet can become contagious even before the appearance of clinical signs. It is also dangerous that shallow bites can be easily missed, and forms of rabies are often not classic, with manifestations of aggression, but on the contrary: an animal can become very affectionate, after which it begins to weakness and paralysis. For protection, it is recommended to vaccinate dogs and cats annually from rabies and to sterilize those animals that you do not plan to breed: sterilized pets are less likely to go far or fight with their brethren.
Pregnant women who have pets are often afraid of contracting toxoplasmosis. The disease is really dangerous - primarily for women who are expecting a child and who are not immune to Toxoplasma. All animals suffer from toxoplasmosis, but you can only get it from cats: they secrete an infectious stage with feces, which, once in the body of any mammal, will reproduce in almost any internal organs. In humans, this can lead to severe fetal abnormalities.
Raw meat is not recommended for pets, and the cat tray must be cleaned regularly and with gloves on.
However, it is also not easy to get infected: for this it is necessary that the cat's feces lain for more than a day and then get into the mouth. Most often, the parasite can be picked up through unwashed vegetables and fruits, which have cat feces, or through raw meat - amateur cooks often try stuffing. For the same reason, raw meat is not recommended for pets, and the cat tray must be cleaned regularly and with gloves. Before pregnancy, you need to donate blood for antibodies M and G: in the first case, a positive result indicates the disease and the need for treatment, in the second - that immunity has been developed and there is no need to worry.
Dogs and cats, as well as rats, hamsters, guinea pigs, rabbits, and in general any mammals can reward deprive. It is a fungal disease transmitted through direct contact or through the air with spores. Most often, children, the elderly, or those with a weakened immune system are ill. There is no special prophylaxis, that is, vaccination: it is better to simply not allow animals on the street, especially to communicate with yard and basement brothers. Animals taken from the street must be checked in the clinic, especially when there are areas of baldness and itching.
The well-known salmonellosis can also be infected from any mammal and bird through feces or feed, even industrial. Remove trays with gloves and keep children away from the cat's bowl. An acute infectious disease called leptospirosis, which affects all internal organs - from the liver and kidneys to the brain, is often found in dogs and rodents, and in rare cases in cats. Dogs become infected by drinking water from puddles or by eating rodents. Sick animals secrete leptospira in the urine, so it is quite difficult to get infected, but cases are known. Again, vaccination protects, but only dogs are vaccinated. If you do not want to become infected with helminths (in common parlance - worms), it is important to carry out prophylaxis with pets: I recommend giving them drugs every three months - or as directed by your veterinarian. Even if the pet is not on the street, it may well lick the floor where the street shoes were.
About veterinary examinations and vaccinations
If an animal feels well, during the first six years of its life, one routine inspection and a year and, accordingly, annual vaccination is sufficient. Vaccination is an obligatory step that will protect the owners of animals, so it is important for everyone to be aware of the order of its conduct. According to the recommendations of the International Veterinary Association (WSAVA), vaccinations against rabies are considered basic for dogs and cats in regions where rabies is common. Russia is one of such regions. Dogs living in Moscow also need to be vaccinated against leptospirosis - preferably twice a year, especially those who walk a lot, can drink water from a puddle or catch mice.
By law, rabies vaccination should be carried out from two months of age, but if you are not going to an exhibition or a trip soon, it is better to do it later - when the pet is 16 weeks old. The fact is that in puppies and kittens maternal antibodies interfere with the effective action of most modern vaccines, therefore it is recommended that they introduce basic preparations in three approaches at intervals - the last dose should be 14-16 weeks old or older. If you can only afford one approach, then this should be all basic vaccines and should be vaccinated at the age of 16 weeks.
If the dog is properly vaccinated and treated for worms and fleas, then it is perfectly possible to sleep in the same bed with the owners.
An adult animal should not be vaccinated more often than necessary. After the initial series of vaccines for puppies and kittens need re-vaccination in a year. Next, the animal must be vaccinated no more than once every three years. Immunity lasts a long time - it can be enough for a lifetime. Vaccinations against specific diseases of dogs and cats are needed more likely to your pets, and you will be saved on treatment. For dogs, vaccines against canine plague virus, canine adenovirus, parvovirus dogs of the second type are recognized as such, for cats - against parvovirus of cats, calicivirus of cats, herpesvirus of cats of the first type. If you want to do everything possible for your pet and your own health, and even a little more, I advise you to pay attention to WSAVA recommendations for optimal research and analysis. In addition, it is important to monitor the chronic diseases and weaknesses of the animal, as well as to keep under control the diseases characteristic of the breed.
Before vaccination, the doctor will carefully examine the animal, because only healthy people can be vaccinated. If the doctor notices any symptoms of the disease, he will ask you to diagnose and, maybe, postpone vaccinations. For animals older than six years, we recommend a routine check-up with a doctor twice a year. One of these examinations takes place simultaneously with vaccination, and for the second one you can simply go to see any therapist. In addition, the owners of pets older than six years, veterinarians are advised once a year to bring them to screening tests (general clinical and biochemical analysis of blood) to identify age-related pathologies in the early stages.
About hygiene in the house with pets
Each owner decides for himself, but, in my opinion, if the dog is properly vaccinated, dewormed, treated for fleas, then it is perfectly possible to sleep in the same bed with the owners and be in close contact with them. It's harder with mice: they can't be vaccinated as reliably, because there are simply no vaccines. On the desktop, let them crawl, if you have the habit of washing your hands before eating, but if you often put pizza on the keyboard, then it is better not to.
As for children, I consider growing up with a puppy and a kitten, and it is better with both a puppy and a kitten, but the rules of hygiene must be followed. Of course, there are parents who believe that if a child reaches for a cat's bowl, these are animal problems, but you need to follow this. Let everyone eat from his plate, and the child washes his hands before eating. If the children clean the tray for a kitten, then be sure to wear gloves. Hug, sleep together - please. Reliable studies confirm that children who grow up with pets are less susceptible to allergic and autoimmune diseases. Of course, we are talking about pets that are vaccinated, treated for parasites and undergo regular checkups at the vet.
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