PET ZONE
There are few things more uplifting than getting plenty of excited affection from your pooch when you arrive home or when you meet a friend ’ s puppy for the first time . The waggy tail , wiggly body , big smiles and sweet little licks and kisses can be the best happiness boost on the planet . The problem with the latter is that dogs spend a lot of their time with their mouths and noses in very unsavoury places . Because of this , their mouths are full of all sorts of bacteria , viruses and germs . When a dog licks your face , these unwelcome bugs can enter your body through mucus membranes via your nose , mouth or eyes , or through the skin if there ’ s even a tiny scratch or wound .
While it ’ s true that your dog ’ s mouth contains plenty of bacteria that are completely harmless to humans , it can also carry a number of pathogens that are “ zoonotic ”, meaning they can spread from animals to humans and cause disease . These include both bacteria and parasites , like Salmonella , Pasteurella , Campylobacter , Cryptosporidium ,
When your dog has diarrhoea , you should take extra precautions , since he or she will be shedding millions of microorganisms in their faeces . If possible , try to isolate your pup to one room or area , don ’ t let them on your bed , wear gloves when you clean up after them , and make 100 % sure you wash your hands after touching them .
statistics may not be that alarming in terms of numbers , the fact is it can happen and the only way to prevent it is to avoid a dog ’ s tongue near your or your child ’ s face .
Marltons Tick & FleaPro Spot-On – Dogs • Large • 2.68ml - R149
• Small • 0.67ml - R89 • Medium • 1.34ml - R119 • X-Large • 4.02ml- R179
Promotion price available from 25 April - 14 May 2022 at your nearest Agrimark .
It ’ s very important to wash your hands properly after cleaning up after your dog , since it ’ s possible to contract infections from their infected faeces - and there is no way to know if it ’ s infected .
Clostridium , E . coli , Leptospira , Giardia , ringworm and hookworm . There are also cases of dogs spreading Haemophilus aphrophilus to humans , causing brain abscesses , inflammation of the heart and severe tapeworm infection ( Dipylidium caninum ).
Between 2001 and 2011 , tests in France revealed that Pasteurella multocida , a dog ’ s normal mouth bacterium , was to blame for meningitis in 42 infants who had been “ kissed ” by the family dog . While these
Between 2001 and 2011 , tests in France revealed that Pasteurella multocida , a dog ’ s normal mouth bacterium , was to blame for meningitis in 42 infants who had been “ kissed ” by the family dog .
Earlier this year , a 70-year-old woman nearly died from septicaemia from the Capnocytophaga canimorsus bacteria . Her dog was tested for the bacteria , and it was confirmed that it was spread from dog to owner through “ harmless ” affection . Just this month , an outbreak of Campylobacter infections in sick puppies in the US spread to 67 people , with 17 of them hospitalised . These outbreaks are a common occurrence in America , with at least a few bouts in various US states every year . The scariest part is that people can also pick up the bacteria and have the infection without any symptoms at all , and then pass it on unknowingly to the people around them .
MARKtoe ! Februarie 2022 31