I have to admit that when I take a history I don't usually ask about pets but a new study in the CMAJ reminds me that indeed pets can transmit diseases.

The researchers point out that the general public and people at high risk for pet-associated disease are not aware of the risks associated with high-risk pet practices or recommendations to reduce them.

Pets can be a great source of social support. However, 77 per cent of households that obtained a new pet following a cancer diagnosis acquired a high-risk pet.‎

All pets can transmit diseases to people. These include dogs, cats, rodents, reptiles and amphibians - all can transmit Salmonella, multidrug resistant bacteria (including Clostridium difficile), Campylobacter jejuni and other diseases. Parasites such as hookworm, roundworm and Toxoplasma can also be transmitted. Infection can be contracted from bites, scratches, saliva and contact with feces. 

Reptiles and amphibians can transmit disease indirectly, such as via contaminated surfaces and are estimated to be responsible for 11 per cent of all sporadic Salmonella infections among patients less than 21 years of age. Direct contact with such animals is not required for zoonotic transmission with one study showing 31 per cent of reptile-associated salmonellosis cases occurred in children less than five years of age and 17 per cent occurred in children aged one year or younger.  The authors highlight the heightened risk in children and the potential for reptile-associated Salmonella to be transmitted without direct contact with the animal or its enclosure. This should influence the type of pet that one might want to avoid with young children in the house. ‎

Those who are most at risk include newborns, children with leukemia and adults with cancer.

The authors make several‎ recommendations for reducing transmission of infection include:

  • Wearing protective gloves to clean aquariums and cages and remove feces
  • Proper hand washing after pet contact
  • Discouraging pets from face licking
  • Covering playground boxes when not in use
  • Avoiding contact with exotic animals
  • Regular cleaning and disinfection of animal cages, feeding areas and bedding
  • Locating litter boxes away from areas where eating and food preparation occur
  • Waiting to acquire a new pet until immune status has improved
  • Regularly scheduling veterinary visits for all pets.