Tell me if this sounds familiar. It’s 7 o’clock in the morning, the kids still need to get on the bus, and you’re worried about getting to work on time. However, the vet told you “Fluffy” is due for his annual parasite exam and it needs to be fresh. So here you are outside in your business suit wearing the rubber gloves you normally wear to clean the bathroom with a Ziploc bag and one of the kids McDonald’s drink cups from last night, following the dog around the yard. You’re praying the neighbors aren’t secretly watching you from their kitchen window because you’ve been following the dog around the yard for about 10 minutes. Of course, this morning of all mornings he’s decided to take his time and sniff everything before going. Finally, though, you’re able to get the sample needed and right before the bus comes. Just when you think the tides are turning in your favor you realize, as you’re getting into the car, that you have to ride the whole way to the vet’s office with, what is in confined spaces, an unusually smelly pile of poop. And the only thing you can think of is that you hope the smell doesn’t stick to your clothes all day!
I could go on and on, but most of you know where I’m going with this. As a pet owner I’ve been there too. So I know the feeling of questioning whether or not it’s even worth it. Whether you own a cat, dog, ferret or potbellied pig I’m sure the words “zoonosis” and “stool sample” have been said to you more than once by your veterinarian. So, why is it sooo important?
Parasites, internal parasites to be exact, are one of the most common issues any pet owner has to face. Roundworms, hookworms, whipworms, tapeworms, giardia, coccidia, etc., etc., etc. There are hundreds of different internal parasites, some more common than others, some which pets can be born with, and some which are zoonotic. So what does zoonotic mean?? Zoonotic means they can be passed from pet to human. You can get them!! Without even taking into account the affect they have on your pet’s health the fact that they are able to be passed on to us is reason enough to don the yellow rubber gloves.
“But I always wear my rubber gloves when I scoop the yard or clean out the litterbox!” That’s great and if you don’t you should, but here are a few other things to keep in mind. Does your pet sleep in your bed? Does your dog or cat give you kisses? Or more importantly where was the last place they licked before they licked you? Do your kids have an outdoor sand box? Have you ever walked barefoot on the beach or in you own back yard? Do you take your pet to a dog park or any other public place where they could be exposed to infected animals? Is your cat a mouser? Do you garden?
If you answered yes to even one of those questions here are a few things you can do:
- Wear shoes when outside and shoes and gloves when gardening.
- Cover outdoor sandboxes when not in use.
- Only feed your pet cooked or already prepared foods. (Not raw.)
- Scoop the yard and/or litterboxes regularly.
- Keep pets and children from playing in any stagnant or standing water.
- Wash your hands before you eat and after playing with any animal or pet.
- Have a stool sample checked for all the pets in your household yearly and talk to your veterinarian about putting your pet on a parasite prevention program.
Want more information??
Visit the Companion Animal Parasite Council’s website at http://www.petsandparasites.org/
or the Center for Disease Control at http://www.cdc.gov/parasites/