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Good Pet Care is Important to Human Health
Did you say "I love you" to
your faithful pet today? If so, you are not alone; approximately 91% of pet
owners have said those same words to their pets at least once. Additionally,
surveys indicate that about 76% of pet owners feel guilty about leaving their
pets alone at home. No doubt about it, animals play an integral part of the
family unit and, in some cases, can be one of the most important beings in a
person's life. An estimated 59% (58.2 million) of US households contain a
companion animal. Although dogs and cats comprise the majority of the pet
population, birds, ferrets, fish, horses, rabbits, and an array of reptiles and
rodents also deserve honorable mention.
The human-animal bond
demonstrated in the home can also serve an important purpose in other arenas.
For instance, therapy dogs provide a positive presence in nursing homes, centers
for the mentally ill, and hospitals, to name a few. General patient health
benefits emanated from companion animals visiting these facilities include
promoting activity; improving mobility skills, use of affected extremities,
communication, and memory skills; helping patients forget about their pain,
loneliness, or boredom; providing a warm body to touch, stroke, hug, and offer
treats; filling the void felt by patients missing their animals at home; giving
a sense of being needed and of being a care-giver again; putting long-lost
smiles on faces; and, overall, restoring health and spirit to the lonely,
shut-in, or ill. Another direct health benefit includes the fact that many
animals have a sixth sense about a person's mental or physical condition, and
they alert facility staff members to potential problems.
In specific
health scenarios, pet companionship has demonstrated significant benefits for
sufferers of Alzheimer's disease; pets lowered hyperactivity, verbal aggression,
anxiety, and psychological suffering in these patients. Pets have also
demonstrated the ability to lower blood pressure in humans by their physical
presence. Some dogs have even been known to detect melanomas, a type of skin
cancer, which may have otherwise gone unnoticed.
With all that companion
animals do for us, shouldn't we return the favor by being responsible pet
owners? When you adopt an animal, a visit to a veterinarian should head your
list of things to do. In addition to having a general health assessment, many
animals, especially dogs, cats, ferrets, and horses, require a variety of
vaccinations, many of which are subsequently given on an annual basis. Some of
the diseases you are having your pet vaccinated against, such as rabies and
leptospirosis, can be passed between animals and humans. Therefore, by
protecting your animal, you are protecting yourself, family members, and friends
from potential exposure to certain diseases. Many animal diseases caused by
parasites, including a variety of worms, can also be shared with people;
however, application of an appropriate wormer and some preventive medicine
advice from a veterinarian can address any related animal and human health
concerns.
Don't forget that responsible pet owners also get their
animals spayed and castrated. Overpopulation in dogs and cats in particular
poses a serious problem. It is a sad realization that approximately 15 million
of these animals are euthanized yearly in animal shelters throughout the US
because there are just not enough homes to go around. Additionally, spaying
females helps to avoid potential infections and, if done early, reduces the
chances of the animal developing mammary cancer. Castrating males diminishes
fighting and subsequent injuries, roaming, prostate cancer, and, in cats, the
dreaded art of marking territory through spraying.
Pet owners should
also be aware that animal bites are a major public health concern. Approximately
400,000 dog bites occur annually in Texas, with half the victims being children.
As a responsible pet owner, keep your dog(s) confined, whether in a fenced yard
or on a leash, to avoid unfortunate encounters with people. Also learn about
special issues involving the family pet's interactions with newborns and young
children.
Texas Department of State Health Services - Infectious Disease
Control Unit
1100 West 49th Street, Suite T801, Mail Code: 1960 PO BOX
149347 - Austin, TX 78714-9347
(512) 458-7676 - Fax: (512) 458-7616 -
E-Mail
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