Man's best friend?

Cats and dogs have lived with homo sapiens for thousands of years. Dogs were domesticated from wild canid species, most likely wolves before recorded history. Cats are well represented in the hieroglyphics of the ancient Egyptians and their remains have been found in even more ancient cultures by archaeologists. We seem to have an innate need to be with animals. Studies have shown that merely petting a dog or cat can lower blood pressure and reduce the levels of stress hormones. Reptiles, birds, fish and the occasional hedgehog or pot bellied pig are all part of the household menagerie of our society.

The ER take on household animals is a reality show called "When Pets Go Bad". 4.5 million people in the US will be bitten by a dog in the average year. 75% of these bites are from the family pet or a friend's pet. Small children and adult males are the most likely victims. Dogs attack because of threats to their food, water, territory or out of fear or insecurity. Any dog may bite, but larger more aggressive breeds bite more often, and the resulting injuries are more severe. The size and shape of dog's teeth and the strength of their jaw muscles produce both crushing and tearing trauma.

Dog bites should be copiously irrigated with clean water or saline solution. Tetanus prophylaxis may be given. The location and severity of the bite will determine if primary closure is appropriate. Dog bites are less likely to cause bacterial infections than human or other primate species' bites.

Dogs may be a source for parasitic infections from hook and pin worms. Good hygiene habits, having your dog wormed and cleaning up your dogs droppings will help to reduce this health risk

Like their wolf ancestors, dogs are pack animals. In the home, it is important that the owner be the dominant member of the pack. Proper training, socializing, neutering and spaying are crucial. Controlling the dog with fencing and a leash will prevent most dog bites. Dogs have been bred for many functions from herding to tracking to hunting to protection. I admit that I own a male dog of one of the breeds considered dangerous. He is very much beta to my alpha status. It has been said that there are no bad dogs, only bad owners.

Being allergic to cats, I am not a cat person. Cats make wonderful pets but they carry specific risks to their owners. A cat bite is a puncture wound. The bacteria in their mouths are driven deeply into the tissue. Vessels and tendons may be injured. Cat scratch fever is a bacterial infection transmitted by scratches or bites. The symptoms include fever, headaches, swollen regional lymph nodes and a nodule at the site of the injury. Cats are a known source of toxoplasma. This parasite can cause severe birth defects if a pregnant woman is exposed. Women who are pregnant or may be pregnant should not handle litter boxes or soil where cats defecate.

Rabies is a viral infection that is transmitted from an infected animal by bite or scratch. Even contact with an infected animal's fur may be enough to pass on the infection. In the US, canine rabies is extremely rare. Unvaccinated cats, especially feral cats are a known reservoir. Bats, foxes, raccoons, coyotes, skunks and even cattle have been known to harbor the virus. To confirm the presence of rabies requires that animal be quarantined or more commonly euthanized and the brain examined. If the source animal is not available, the patient must undergo a painful but uniformly successful course of treatment.

Rabies immune globulin is given as soon as possible after the exposure to provide passive immunity to the virus. A series of rabies vaccinations is also started to induce active immunity to the disease. The treatment cost several thousand dollars. Untreated rabies was once thought to be fatal in all cases. A treatment regimen, the Milwaukee Protocol has been developed and has been successful in preventing death in some cases. The patient is placed in a medically induced coma and antiviral medications are given. Vaccinating cats and dogs and using common sense in dealing with any feral animal is far better than the alternatives.

Exotic pets are becoming ever more popular. Reptiles, birds, fish, and mammals (ferrets, hedgehogs, monkeys) are all kept as pets. Besides the inevitables injuries from tooth, claw or beak, many of these pets harbor specific diseases that effect and infect their owners. Reptiles and birds often carry salmonella, a nasty gastrointestinal bacterial infection. Parrots and their relatives may be sources of C psittaci, the bacteria that cause psittacosis. The pneumonia from this organism is especially dangerous to those with diminished immunity or pre-existing lung disease. Pigeon droppings often contain cryptococcal spores. In immunosupressed people, cryptococcoal infections of the central nervous system are very dangerous. Allergic lung problems can also be caused by pigeon droppings in some owners. Monkeys often carry hepatitis B and monkey bites have a very high risk of bacterial infection.

Why do we share our lives with our pets? When I arrive home tired and cranky (my usual condition), even when I reek from sweat, my "puppy" greets me with wagging tail and lapping tongue. My saintly wife makes me bath before giving me a kiss.