DOG ROUNDWORMS/HUMANS
Humans may acquire roundworm (Toxocara canis) infections from their pets. Ninety-eight percent of puppies are infected with roundworm, as are 20 percent of adult dogs, and up to 70 percent of cats. The larvae, when taken into the body, may remain inactive for ten years before producing such symptoms as fever, cough, wheezing, paleness, weight loss, irritability, skin rashes, itching, and may cause seizures, loss of vision, respiratory problems and blood abnormalities. Toxocara canis infections may even lead to death. (Indiana Medicine 78(3)210-211, March, 1985) Copyright Phylis Austin

EYE INFECTIONS IN PETS/TONSILLITIS IN OWNERS
People who own dogs and suffer from streptococcal infections of the eyes may acquire the infection and develop tonsillitis. (Lakartidningen 84:847-8, 1987) Copyright Phylis Austin

MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS/PETS/SOLVENTS
Rates of multiple sclerosis were shown to be higher in men exposed to solvents (particularly gasoline and white spirit petroleum) and welding materials in the course of their employment. Females exposed to caged birds and dogs showed higher incidences of multiple sclerosis. X-ray examination was noted to be more frequent in multiple sclerosis patients than in controls. (Archives of Neurology 45:620-623, June, 1988) Copyright Phylis Austin

CATS/LYME DISEASE
Cat owners are at increased risk of developing Lyme disease, according to a report from New York Medical College. In the mid- 1970's, when the method of transmission was unclear researchers observed that cases were more common in cat owners than in non-cat owners.
A more recent follow-up to this observation reveals that cats which are allowed outside during the day and kept in the house at night carried in the disease-transmitting ticks.
Lyme disease manifests as an arthritic process, usually involving large joints, with symptoms lasting one to two weeks to months. Symptoms may resolve, only to recur, and in some may be persistent. There is often an associated skin rash. Complications include meningoencephalitis (inflammation of the spinal cord and brain), neuritis (inflammation of a nerve), and carditis (inflammation of the heart). (New England Journal of Medicine 320(3)183, January 19, 1989) Copyright Phylis Austin

MENINGITIS/PETS
Parents should not allow the family pet to nuzzle or lick a child's face according to a study from New Jersey. Physicians at St. Peter's Medical Center in New Brunswick, New Jersey, report that a young infant acquired Pasteurella multocida bacteria which caused meningitis (inflammation of the brain and/or spinal cord). The parents were attempted to bond the infant and the family pet by allowing the dog to lick the child's face. (Pediatric News 24(8)23, August 1990) Copyright Phylis Austin

CATS/GASTRITIS
A recently identified form of gastroenteritis may be transmitted from cats and pigs to man, according to a report from the University of Iowa College of Medicine. (Gastroenterology 102(4 Part 2)A651, April 1992) Copyright Phylis Austin

CATS/TOXOPLASMOSIS
Pregnant women have been warned to let someone else clean the cat litter box to prevent exposure to toxoplasma, which may be fatal to the developing infant. A recent study suggests that even living with a cat may expose one to toxoplasma. Rural children who shared their house with more than one cat were more than twice as likely to be infected as those with only one cat. They were three times more likely to be infected than children who did not have cats in their home. (Pediatrics 89(6)1169-72, June 1992) If you have children, don't have pets in the home. Copyright Phylis Austin

FEVER/HOUSE PETS
Pediatricians who are confronted with a child with an unusual fever should inquire about household pets, according to Dr. Glen Mathisen, Chief of the Division of Infectious Diseases at Olive View/UCLA Medical Center.
Cats may carry toxoplasmosis or cat scratch disease. A person may be exposed to psittacosis by merely walking past the cage of an infected bird. (Pediatric News 25(9)3, 38, September 1991) Because household pets may appear to be healthy they are not suspected as disease carriers. Copyright Phylis Austin

CATS/TOXOPLASMOSIS
Pregnant women have been warned to let someone else clean the cat litter box to prevent exposure to toxoplasma, which may be fatal to the developing infant. A recent study suggests that even living with a cat may expose one to toxoplasma. Rural children who shared their house with more than one cat were more than twice as likely to be infected as those with only one cat. They were three times more likely to be infected than children who did not have cats in their home. (Pediatrics 89(6)1169-72, June 1992) If you have children, don't have pets in the home. Copyright Phylis Austin

FEVER/HOUSE PETS
Pediatricians who are confronted with a child with an unusual fever should inquire about household pets, according to Dr. Glen Mathisen, Chief of the Division of Infectious Diseases at Olive View/UCLA Medical Center.
Cats may carry toxoplasmosis or cat scratch disease. A person may be exposed to psittacosis by merely walking past the cage of an infected bird. (Pediatric News 25(9)3, 38, September 1991) Because household pets may appear to be healthy they are not suspected as disease carriers. Copyright Phylis Austin

APPENDECTOMY/PIG EXPOSURE
A study of pig farmers and slaughterhouse workers revealed that more slaughterhouse workers and pig farmers had undergone appendectomy than had a comparison group of grain or berry farmers.
The researchers observed that exposure to Yersinia bacteria, common in pigs, may be a risk factor for appendicitis. (British Medical Journal 303:345-346, August 10, 1992) Copyright Phylis Austin