Zoonoses are infectious diseases that can be transmitted between animals and humans.  Ebola, Zika & Hanta virus along with Swine & Bird flu may come to mind.  HIV was a zoonotic disease transmitted to humans in the early 20^th century but has now evolved into a separate human-only disease.  In fact, 61% of the pathogens affecting humans are zoonotic!  The increasing number and significance of zoonotic diseases emerging worldwide are due to multiple converging factors: climate change, increasing urbanization, human encroachment in wild areas, increased global travel and, for companion animals, increasing intimacy with humans (Yay! They ARE part of the family!)  Zoonotic injuries include dog bites, cat scratches, tick and insect bites and stings, however…

Humans canNOT get Distemper from your canine pal any more than he can get Feline Rhinotracheitis from his kitty housemate.  Knowing which diseases transfer between species and their signs and symptoms is vital if you share your life with animals, but also practice proper hygiene by thoroughly washing hands and wearing gloves when cleaning up after your best pal. The tiniest paper cut is bacteria’s highway into your bloodstream!

ANYTIME you are bitten or scratched, wash the area for 10 minutes with Chlorhexidine, find out the animal’s vaccination info and have the wound looked at by a medical professional.  Symptoms of Rabies range from fever and muscle aches, to nausea, agitation, hallucinations, aggressiveness and paralysis, while swollen lymph nodes are usually a sign of Cat Scratch Fever.  Learning to properly handle pets and respond to their ever-changing body language may keep you safe.

Toxoplasmosis can cause blindness in an unborn human, so it is of concern to pregnant women as well as anyone with a compromised immune system.   Most people possess the antibody, but a blood test can let you know for sure.  Outdoor cats are the primary hosts shedding this parasitic disease via their feces.  They may or may not demonstrate symptoms of lethargy, fever, weight loss, vomiting and/or diarrhea.  In humans, enlarged lymph nodes, headache, fever (mononeucleosis-like symptoms) may indicate infection.

Giardia & Coccidia are intestinal parasites.  To prevent, provide pets with clean water and bowls and discourage them from eating feces.  Also don’t let them drink from communal bowls at dog parks, and bring along fresh water so that they don’t lap out of lakes and streams.  If in spite of your best attempts, massive quantities of vomit or diarrhea erupt, always wear rubber gloves when cleaning up and save those kisses for when your pooch is back in good health!

Got Ringworm?  Avoid direct contact with pets having a missing patch of hair or scabby circle.  This fungus will leave ring-shaped bumpy spots on human skin requiring medical treatment.

Lyme Disease (measles-like eruptions accompanied by muscle aches, nausea and swollen lymph nodes) and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (‘target’-shaped rash bringing with it headache and nausea) are both tick-borne diseases.  Keep pets free of parasites and check yourself after hikes.  Although humans don’t get this one, watch cats for Cytauxzoonosis!  It comes from the Lone Star and American Dog Tick.  Also known as Bobcat Fever, it causes felines to go down fast and they can die within days of being bitten as the infection prevents blood from flowing to tissues resulting in multiple organ failure.  Please be reminded that even indoor cats CAN get parasites!

Also keep dogs up-to-date on vaccinations and/or titer testing for Springtime-emerging  Leptospirosis (wetter environments, near lakes and streams) which humans can get as well.  Actually it is the the most widespread zoonotic disease in the world that has been found in almost all species of mammals!

Don’t downplay the importance of Heartworm testing BEFORE you see your first mosquito. Prevention costs less than one weekly bistro-made coffee, whereas treatment can be expensive and difficult.  Initial symptoms are unseen, but cough followed by shortness of breath, abnormal lung sounds, fluid retention, loss of blood to the brain and death can occur if a heartworm positive dog goes untreated.  Watch my VIDEO VLOG here to learn more:  https://youtu.be/fRxUIoIAxgs

Wear a dust mask when cleaning bird cages, and note green droppings and eye or nasal discharge.  Psittacosis or Parrot Fever also infects budgies, gulls, cockatiels, sparrows and ducks.  Humans end up coughing, vomiting and having pneumonia-like symptoms.

In actuality, you are more likely to contract Salmonella from under-cooked food, but still, wash hands thoroughly after handling reptiles and amphibians.  Abdominal cramping and diarrhea are effects of Salmonella which can be fatal!  Remember though that any symptom can be associated with a number of diseases, so only your medical care professional knows for sure!

In spite of disease we may catch from our pets, pets ARE part of the family and they can improve our human family members’ health!  The inverse of Zoonoses is Zooeyia (ZOO-ey-ah).  The word comes from the Greek root word zoion (animal) and from the Greek Goddess of Health, Hygeia.  If you share your life with a pet, this should come as no surprise, but there is now scientific proof that including pets in the family unit can actually improve wellness.

Besides helping us develop stronger immune systems, lowering our stress and blood pressure…

• Pets get us moving. Humans of all ages with dogs in the family exercise more than those who do not share their life with a pet as the dog’s need for walks gets us up and moving too. When we don’t move, obesity and diabetes can reach epidemic portions in both children and adults.  Physical activity also supports mental acuity. Studies show that humans who had walked over 72 blocks per week had a greater volume of grey matter 9 years later!
• Pets lower the impact of chronic disease. Studies have shown cats decrease the risk of cardiovascular disease in their owners and dogs provide comfort and support to cancer patients. Animals also help in the treatment of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, and dogs who suffer from PTSD as well may benefit from helping a human.
• Pets help kids. It has been shown that children who bond with a pet grow up to be more empathetic adults.  They also often develop stronger immune systems and many develop a stronger sense of responsibility for caring for another species.
• Pets help us ‘kick the habit.’ Knowing secondhand smoke can harm our pets has motivated some smokers to quit!  Inhaling secondhand smoke is a widely recognized risk factor for many diseases, including cancer as well as cardiovascular and respiratory diseases.
• Pets make us more social. Loneliness and isolation occur in our increasingly urbanized lifestyles, especially among the elderly. Having a pet gets people out meeting people (dogs can be ‘babe magnets’), taking part in activities with other pet parents, heading to parks, hiking and just staying in touch with the world. Caring for a pet gives many a reason to get up each morning!

 A few vowels make a big difference between disease and good health when it comes to sharing life with our animal friends.  Familiarize yourself with the signs of zoonotic diseases and embrace the good health and times that come to us via zooeyia!

Catch my Video VLOG on this topic:  https://youtu.be/TSy7epI-qk4

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For 20 years Denise Fleck’s Sunny-dog Ink motto has been “Helping people to help their pets,” and she has…teaching more than 15,000 pet lovers animal life-saving skills and millions more on “The Doctors,” CNN, “Kirstie Alley’s Big Life,” Animal Planet and other TV shows.  Denise is a frequent conference speaker, developed a line of pet first aid kits and now offers classes online.  

Note:  The articles on this page are copyrighted.  Please do not reprint or use portions for any purpose without written permission from the author.  Request permission for usage by sending an email explaining how you’d like to use the materials and what parts specifically.  Thank you in advance!

The post Zoonoses OR Zooeyia?  One Can Make Us Sick While the Other…Increases Wellness appeared first on Pet Safety Crusader.

One late summer morning, two Scottish Fold kittens were playfully exploring their fenced yard when Rudy caught Abigail off guard and bounded at her from behind the rose bushes.  As Abby took a tumble landing dazed and confused, a bee buzzed passed her.  The twosome, quickly distracted by this new found fun, attempted to play a game of pounce with the tiny flying creature.  Fun did ensue for a few moments, but it then turned nasty as the bee planted his stinger right onto the tip of Rudy’s nose!  The kitten pawed furiously at his face, and as it began to swell, Rudy started looking more like a bulldog than a fluffy kitty!

Insect Stings

Cats generally paw at and remove an insect’s stinger when bitten, but should you see one through her fur coat (or on her nose, lip, paw or elsewhere), scrape it away with a credit card, popsicle stick or similar stiff object.   Pulling the stinger with fingers or tweezers could rupture the poison sac allowing the toxin to enter your pet’s body.  Administer 1 mg Benadryl per pound of your cat’s body weight (usually comes in 25mg tablets so a smaller half will suffice for most kitties) and apply a cold pack (a bag of frozen peas works well) to any swelling.  Remove it every 3-5 minutes to prevent frost bite. Should severe swelling or any breathing difficulties develop, get to your veterinarian at once.  If anaphylactic shock occurs (a severe allergic reaction), her tongue may swell making rescue breathing difficult, so don’t delay!  Homeopathic Tip:  Meliffica, also known as Honey Bee, can aid the body to reduce burning or stinging pain.  A dose is considered to be 3-5 pellets crushed or liquefied with 6c being given every 4-6 hours.

About Pet First-Aid

Have you ever gotten out of bed just to step on a squishy fur ball, discovered ticks on your gorgeous long-haired cat or couldn’t yell quick enough when she leaped for the hot stove?  Bandaging, removing parasites and treating upset tummies are basic Pet First-Aid skills every pet lover should possess.  Don’t wait until tragedy strikes before you learn animal life-saving skills.  According to the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA), 25% more pets could be saved if their humans attempt even one first aid technique prior to getting them to veterinary care.  Knowing what to do at the time of the injury can make a difference — lower body temperature, prevent blood loss, alleviating choking, induce vomiting in poisoning incidents or perform rescue breathing and CPR.

The Sunny-dog Ink  CAT FIRST-AID & CPCR Certificate Course is now available!   The Pet Safety Crusader will take you through a self-guided tour of learning to help a cat in need BEFORE veterinary care is available.  Veterinarians are the experts, but most of us are not lucky enough to have one velcroed to our hip 24/7.  Even if you live with 5 people in your home, odds are that when the cat stops breathing or cuts her paw…you will be home alone and it will be after veterinary hours.  To be a pro-active cat parent or pet professional, you MUST know how to rescue Fluffy or make her feel better BEFORE professional medical care is available.  What happens in those first few moments after the onset of injury or illness, can truly make a difference in your best friend’s recovery.

By Knowing Pet First Aid, YOU can:

• Lower your cat’s body temperature to prevent brain damage or death.
• Minimize blood loss and prevent infection by properly bandaging a wound. Knowing where the critical arterial pressure points are on kitty can be a life saver!
• Alleviate choking with the kitty Heimlich-like maneuver.
• Expel poison from your pet’s system by properly inducing vomiting.
• Be the pump your pet’s heart can’t be, moving life-giving blood and oxygen throughout her body, until you can get her to professional medical help.

Pet First-Aid is by no means a replacement for veterinary care, and CPR (now Cardio Pulmonary Cerebral Resuscitation) is not a cure, but both can make a difference in the life of your feline friend.

In addition to first-aid skills for bleeding, burns, choking, drowning, heatstroke/frostbite, high rise syndrome, insect stings, poisoning, seizures, splinting and cardiopulmonary arrest, some of the topics covered in this course include:

1. Down on all fours and Up on counter tops and shelving

Look at life from your cat’s perspective.  What appears as a neatly kept room from a 5’ 6” to 6’ 2” viewpoint is a completely different scenario 7” off the floor.  If it’s in claws reach, it’s fair game for even the most obedient cat.  Cleaners and fertilizers not absorbed through paw pads will be ingested when kitty grooms, so read labels on products you use to clean counter tops, floors and use in the yard (you may track indoors on shoes even if your cat never ventures outdoors), choosing only pet friendly chemicals.  Add to that the fact that felines jump and climb, so counter tops, books shelves and other high areas where they perch must be danger-free zones and secured so that they can not topple when kitty leaps!

2.  Head-to-Tail check

Look your cat over from head-to-tail every week feeling for lumps and bumps. Notice if her skin his dry, her coat dull or shiny, if there is evidence of parasites (flea dirt or the actual critters), ticks (Do you know the dangers of cytauxzoonosis?), burrs or foxtails.  Anything you find early (especially a lump) may prevent a nightmare from occurring, so bring it to your veterinarian’s attention at onset.  Know your cat’s baseline vitals and pay attention to what she looks like when she stands/sits/jumps and how often she uses her litter box. The more quickly you spot something ‘not quite right,’ the better chance of fixing it.  Never miss annual vet exams as each calendar year brings changes.

3. Pet First-Aid Kit

Just like a carpenter or plumber, pet owners must have the right tool for the job.  So that you are prepared to bandage a wound, pull a tick or soothe an upset tummy, at the very least, have the following items on hand in an easily accessible place:

• 3% Hydrogen Peroxide to induce vomiting
• Eye Wash (saline or purified water)
• 2″ X 2″ Gauze Squares and Gauze Roll
• Triangular bandage to make ring pad or secure kitty to back board
• Adhesive Tape of Self-adhering Bandage
• Cold Pack
• Antibiotic Ointment
• Needle-less Syringe or Eye Dropper
• Digital Thermometer (cats normally run 100.4°-102.5° F)
• Styptic Powder to stop bleeding toe nails
• Scissors & Tweezers
• Antihistamine & Antacid Tablets
• Pumpkin fiber
• Leash to create a figure 8 harness to restrain kitty as well as a muzzle
• Towel or Blanket to wrap kitty
• Phone Numbers/Addresses of your Veterinarian & Animal ER
• Cat First-Aid Handbook

4. Animal ER

Drive there before you need to, so that you know where to enter, what services are offered and how they accept payment.  Don’t just program the number into your cell. When you have an ill or injured cat, you want to know which side of the street it is on and where the closest entrance is.

5. Quality Time Daily

Cats are part of the family!  That’s why we bring them into our hearts and homes, so unplug from electronics and don’t mindlessly pet Fluffy while you’re reading a book. Animals live in the moment, so be present for them!

Click here to learn more about the Cat First-Aid & CPCR Course https://www.petsafetycrusader.com/shop/classes/cat-first-aid-cpcr-webinar/

and WATCH MY VLOG ON THIS TOPIC HERE https://youtu.be/WywQAAO5Tq0

For 20 years Denise Fleck’s Sunny-dog Ink motto has been “Helping people to help their pets,” and she has…teaching more than 15,000 pet lovers animal life-saving skills and millions more on “The Doctors,” CNN, “Kirstie Alley’s Big Life,” Animal Planet and other TV shows.  Denise is a frequent conference speaker, developed a line of pet first aid kits and now offers classes online.  

Note:  The articles on this page are copyrighted.  Please do not reprint or use portions for any purpose without written permission from the author.  Request permission for usage by sending an email explaining how you’d like to use the materials and what parts specifically.  Thank you in advance!

The post CAT FIRST-AID CERTIFICATE CLASS NOW AVAILABLE appeared first on Pet Safety Crusader.