Page 3264 - Cote clinical veterinary advisor dogs and cats 4th

Immunosuppressed Pet Owners: Risk-Minimization Strategies

VetBooks.ir Pet ownership brings with it tremendous rewards; both the physical • Avoid stray animals. Instead, adopt from a reputable breeder
or rescue organization.
and mental benefits of living with pets are well documented. For
• Have any new pet examined by a veterinarian before it is brought
example, walking dogs promotes physical exercise, and early
exposure to animals reduces the risk of allergy in children. Pets into the home.
can reduce stress, anxiety, loneliness, and depression. Children
brought up with pets often have better social skills and display DISCUSSING THE ISSUES WITH YOUR MEDICAL
greater empathy than children that do not have pets. CARE TEAM
Yet for all of the benefits of pet ownership, pet ownership can • It can be helpful to let your veterinarian know that someone
also pose some risks. Among the most important are the risks in the home has a compromised immune system. There is no
of physical injury (e.g., bites and scratches), allergic reactions, need to go into detail, or to reveal private medical information.
and zoonotic infection. Zoonoses are infections that are shared Simply knowing that extra precautions may be needed will be
between animals and people. Because of the close relationship helpful, both for choosing appropriate precautions and avoiding
between people and pets, pet animals are uniquely important in excessive or inappropriate ones.
transmission of zoonotic infections. While all people are susceptible • If you have particular concerns about the pet, feel free to
to infections associated with pets, immunocompromised people bring them up with your veterinarian. There really are no silly
are at increased risk. questions.
The immune system is a complex set of protections that help • Let your physician know about any new pets within the household.
fight off infection with germs including bacterial, viral, fungal, and If your physician has questions about the animals in the home,
protozoal pathogens. Reduced function of the immune system feel free to provide the name and contact information for your
(immunocompromise or immunosuppression) can increase the risk veterinarian.
of illness due to infection with these pathogens. It is estimated that
nearly one quarter of the human population of the US is living with PRACTICAL ADVICE ON PET CARE
some degree of immune compromise. Some of the things that can • Keep cats indoors, and allow dogs outdoors only on a leash or
result in immune compromise in people include: in a fenced yard.
• Extremes of age: babies and the elderly often have weaker • Keep pets up-to-date on all recommended vaccinations.
immune responses • Keep pet on year-round ectoparasite-control products effective
• Congenital immunodeficiency: an abnormal immune system from against both ticks and fleas.
birth • Keep pets on preventatives that reduce the risk of endoparasites
• Acquired diseases: many diseases weaken the immune response, (worms). Usually, these products are combined with heartworm
including prevention.
• Cancer: both the disease and the treatment can reduce • Follow your veterinarian’s recommendations regarding fecal
immune protections exams and deworming.
• Infectious disease, such as human immunodeficiency virus • Keep pets’ nails trimmed, but declawing cats is not necessary.
(HIV) • Keep pets’ coats groomed.
• Kidney failure and liver failure • Do not feed your pet a raw food diet, and avoid feeding rawhide
• Organ or bone marrow transplant treats.
• Splenectomy • Do not allow pets on kitchen counters or other food handling
• Many drugs: steroids, chemotherapy, and other immunosup- areas.
pressive drugs • Spay or neuter pets to reduce risk of roaming.
Despite the risks, most people with weakened immune systems • Change the litter box often; ideally this should be done by a
can safely own pets. If you have specific questions about your healthy person.
own health, please speak with your physician. However, simple • Keep the pet’s area free of fecal waste (dispose of stools daily).
precautions can minimize the risks of pet ownership. • Prevent pets from drinking from puddles, toilets, or other non-
potable water sources.
PICKING A PET FOR PERSONS WITH COMPROMISED • Regularly launder pet bedding.
IMMUNE SYSTEMS • Seek veterinary care for pets at the first sign of illness.
• Dogs and cats can be good choices for pets.
• Reptiles, amphibians, rodents, and poultry should usually be PRACTICAL ADVICE ON PET-PEOPLE INTERACTIONS
avoided. • Supervise interactions between pets and young children.
• Exotic animals, and especially nonhuman primates, should also • Supervise interactions between pets and adults who are
be avoided as pets. unable to easily care for themselves (e.g., bedridden or other-
• Immature animals are more likely to transmit infections; consider wise immobile)
adopting an adult animal. • Teach dogs basic manners, including avoiding jumping on people.

From Cohn and Côté: Clinical Veterinary Advisor, 4th edition. Copyright © 2020 by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.