Which of these have you heard (and feared) in the last few years? H5N1, influenza, anthrax, salmonella, MRSA … these are all potentially transmissible from animals to humans. Even if an animal has not been proven to transmit a disease to humans, they can still be carriers (reservoirs) of disease.

The news about H5N1 has actually done me a favor. It has forced me to look closely at my living situation and perform a reality check. Are my sanitation practices adequate? Is there anything else I should be concerned about other than H5N1? Are there other diseases that can be transferred between the different species (ducks, cats, dogs, macaws, conures) living with me? Is there anything I can transmit to my animals?

When you go to the doctor do you mention that you have animals living in your home? One thing that surprised me when I started researching the various zoonotic infections was how many of them have almost exactly the same symptoms as the “typical” flu. I cannot recall ever discussing the possibility with my doctor of an illness being associated with animal contact. It makes me wonder how many illnesses may have had an altogether different source than the assumed human to human contact. Reported cases [of zoonotics] are relatively low by comparison, but that may be because pet ownership/exposure is often left out of early diagnostic questioning. This question may seem superfluous due to mandatory and recommended vaccinations for domestic pets like cats and dogs. Many laws and regulations do exist that even include exotics, but the reality is many of the exotic animals are bred and sold by hobby breeders that typically fall outside of enforceable restriction. In other cases there simply are no safe vaccination or prophylactic treatments. We have gained a false sense of security based on our experiences with other domestic animals.

A good beginning is taking your pet in for routine health examinations. A veterinarian that specializes in exotic pets should be aware of the potential disease transmissions and will recommend any appropriate testing or procedures. Next, learn about the types of diseases your animal has the potential of carrying and/or transmitting. Discuss any relevant personal health concerns with your doctor – including information about your pets. Share knowledge from your veterinarian with your doctor.

We do not live in sterile bubbles so we are constantly exposed to things that can affect our health. Living in close proximity to animals is one type of exposure risk. An educated owner understands, assumes the risk and (hopefully) acts responsibly regarding his/her health, animal’s health, and the public’s health.

In future articles we will explore some of the more common zoonotic infections, good animal/human health practices, and sanitation.