Physicians and veterinarians team up to prevent domestic pets from infecting their owners. (Photo credit: pixabay)
A group of physicians is recommending certain precautions and greater collaboration between veterinarians and physicians to reduce the risk of diseases associated with owning a pet.
Pets are a potential source for more than 70 human diseases yet the researchers who reviewed existing studies found that physicians generally fail to regularly discuss the risks of disease associated with pet ownership.
In addition to recommending greater collaboration between family physicians and veterinarians, the authors make the following recommendations for higher risk patients especially those under five-years or those over 65-years, pregnant women, and people with with compromised immune systems:
-
Washing hands after handling animals or touching their living environments;
-
Keeping cats indoors and changing their litter boxes daily;
-
Protecting the skin from contact with feces through the use of vinyl gloves, household cleaning gloves, or a plastic bag.
Original research paper published in CMAJ on April 20, 2015.
Names and affiliations of selected authors
