Worms, eggs, bacteria and disease often come free with your family pet. Ed Power reports on the potential health hazards of your pet.
For many parents, a pet is the perfect companion for a child. Affectionate and loyal, animals are the friends who will never let you down or lead you astray. Yet introducing a pet to a household with young children may bring health risks.
Toddlers and babies (along with the elderly and pregnant women) are susceptible to animal-borne (or zoonotic) illness. In extreme cases, a disease contracted from a pet may cause severe disruption to the digestive system and may even cause blindness.
The most common condition which can spread to babies and toddlers is worms. It is estimated that 5-20 per cent of children have been infected by dog roundworm at some stage in their lives.
If left untreated in pets, homes and yards are likely to become contaminated from worm eggs. More than 90 per cent of puppies are born with worms, which may be passed easily on to children who handle them. Symptoms include painful inflammation beneath the skin, stomach cramps and damage to internal organs. In severe cases, children have suffered damage to their eyes and gone blind.
Prevention and early treatment are the best defences against worms, says vet Paul Kelly. Vets advise using de-worming drugs in dogs and cats beginning at two weeks of age and to continue de-worming on a regular basis. "Sometimes there is a tendency to think it's enough to worm an animal once. In fact, you should worm your pet every three months. Doing so every year - or even every six months - really is insufficient. It needs to be on a regular basis," Kelly says.
Cats can also spread toxoplasma gondii, a parasite causing the disease toxoplasmosis, which has flu-like symptoms such as swollen glands and muscle aches and which, in pregnant women, may lead to miscarriage, premature birth or birth defects.
While antimocribrila drugs are used to treat people infected with toxoplasmosis, prevention is the surest protection , says vet Patrick Condren.
"If you are a pregnant woman, then you need to take care around cats. In particular, avoid changing a cat's litterbox and always wash your hands after handling the animal," he explains.
Changing the box daily is recommended as it takes the toxoplasma parasite at least 24 hours to become infectious.
Exotic pets also bring potential dangers. Reptiles, such as lizards or terrapins, are a source of salmonella. Most, if not all, reptiles carry salmonella, which is found on the skin, their cage and other surfaces they come into contact with. Reptiles cannot be screened for salmonella, which is part of their normal bacteria. For this reason, good hygiene in the home is essential. There should be no eating, drinking or smoking around the animal.
Nor should the pet be allowed to roam freely through the house, particularly in areas where food is prepared or eaten. And ensure you wash your hands with hot, soapy water after handling reptiles, their cages or equipment, says Kelly.
There are also health risks associated with pet rodents. Two diseases of emerging concern, particularly in young children, may be spread by pet hamsters, mice and rats. Lymphocytic choriomeningitis (LCM) is a viral disease that people contract from inhaling infectious airborne particles of saliva or waste or by ingesting food contaminated with the virus.
Rat-bite fever is a bacterial illness transmitted through the bite or scratch of a rodent or by ingesting food or water contaminated by a rodent.
Both diseases are especially dangerous because their initial flu-like symptoms - fever, headache and muscle aches - are easily underestimated.
If left untreated, however, they can escalate to muscle weakness, fever and paralyses. There are no specific drugs to treat LCM, and severe cases may require hospitalisation. Rat-bite fever is usually cured with antibiotic drugs.
Even a pet as innocuous as a goldfish is a potential health hazard. Fish and the water they live in often harbour bacteria that may cause illness in people. Mycobacterium is one of the main infections linked to fish and aquarium water. A common route of this infection in humans is through cuts or scrapes on hands or feet.
Birds too can be vectors for disease. Parrot fever (psittacosis) spreads easily to humans, sometimes leading to flu-like symptoms and pneumonia. Parrot-like birds, such as budgies or parakeets, are often infected with the condition.
Like humans, pets are prone to envy and may be jealous of a new child. However, if the animal is treated sensitively this rarely becomes a problem, says Kelly. At the same time, a pet must not be encouraged to feel as though the household revolves around them.
"It's important that the dog knows who the boss is. He shouldn't believe he's the alpha, the dominant presence in the house. He needs to be aware of his place."
However, parents should not be dissuaded from keeping pets as the benefits to children can be huge, he says.
"Dogs, in particular, give everything and expect very little in return. They are fantastic companions and very good for one's psychological wellbeing."