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A Guide to Pet Care for the Immunocompromised Edited by Teresa Y. Morishita, DVM, PhD, Dipl ACPV Poultry Veterinarian and Professor of Poultry Medicine & Food Safety

There are many benefits of having a What are some diseases could I get from my companion animal and these benefits pet? often outweigh the risks of pet owner- Type of Pet Potential Diseases ship. The infections that are shared by Cats Cat Scratch Fever, Toxoplamosis, people and animals are termed Cryptosporidiosis, zoonoses. These zoonoses can be Salmonellosis, serious in immunocompromised Campylobacteriosis, Giardiasis, Ringworm, people. The risks of contracting an Roundworms, infection can be minimized by Hookworms, Q-Fever following some basic preventative Dogs Cryptosporidiosis, Salmonellosis, measures. In some of these diseases, Campylobacteriosis, the sources of infection can be pets. Giardiasis, Ringworm, Therefore, education on disease Roundworms, Hookworms transmission and prevention are Reptiles (snakes, Salmonellosis important to minimize the risk of lizards, turtles) infection from all possible sources. Fish Mycobacterium marinum Who is immunocomprimised? Birds Chlamydiosis, Avian Tuberculosis, Immunocompromised people are Salmonellosis, more susceptible to acquiring in- Campylobacteriosis fectious diseases and include indi- viduals undergoing chemotherapy for What diseases pose the greatest risk? cancer, organ transplant recipients, Toxoplasmosis: Household cats are only one and bone marrow recipients. This of many sources of the protozoan parasite, group also includes the elderly, Toxoplasma gondii. Many cases of human especially those in nursing homes, central nervous system toxoplasmosis are hospice care, and hospitals; and actually reactivations of previous infections infants and children under five years from the ingestion or handling of of age, whose immune system may be contaminated meat products, such as pork. impaired or not fully developed. Contrary to popular belief, touching or caring

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for household cats is not the major trans- litterbox should be cleaned daily, preferably mission route. Once an infected cat has shed by an immune competent person, or if an the Toxoplasma oocyst (egg), they are immune compromised person must clean it, unlikely to shed again. Cats are most likely they should wear gloves and wash to shed infectious oocysts after ingesting immediately afterwards. The litter box infected tissues. Therefore, cats should not should not be kept in the kitchen, dining be allowed to hunt or eat raw meat. Oocysts room, or any place where there is food. Pet need at least 24 hours to become infectious poultry have been sources of Salmonella and so daily litter box cleaning should be done, Campylobacter as poultry can shed the preferably by an immunocompetent person bacteria in their feces and/or contaminate the or while wearing gloves. Improper meat area with their feces. Use proper hygiene, preparation, contaminated soil in the wash hands and disinfect areas that have had environment, and stray cats are most likely pet poultry contact. sources of infection. Stray cats can Cryptosporidiosis: This infection is caused contaminate the environment and gloves by the protozoan parasite, Cryptosporidium should be worn when working outside, such parvum, and is predominantly acquired from as when gardening. Moreover, the handling ingestion of fecal-contaminated food and/or of stray cats should be avoided. Proper water, such as in pools, lakes, rivers, and kitchen hygiene will help decrease the risk municipal water supplies. Therefore, from meat contamination. Don’t reuse any drinking bottled water and taking care not to utensils or cutting surfaces that were in accidently ingest water at public pools and contact with the raw meat without cleaning other bodies of water may help to greatly them. Don’t taste marinades that have decrease the risk of infection. Any pets with contacted the raw meat. diarrhea should be avoided and they should Cat Scratch Disease: This disease is caused be examined by a veterinarian to determine by the bacteria, Bartonella henselae, and the cause of the diarrhea. this disease has been associated with cat Giardiasis: Giardiasis is a disease caused by contact, especially if one is scratched or the protozoan parasite, Giardia lamblia. bitten; and/or having exposure to cat fleas. Infection usually occurs from the To help prevent infection, the immunocom- environment, especially water sources. The promised individual should avoid kittens frequency of transmission of Giardia (since they tend to scratch more than adults); between animals and people is not well avoid contact with stray cats; and use proper established. Human outbreaks usually flea control. Immediately wash the wound if involve young children with exposure to any scratches or bites occur. day-care environments or originate from a Salmonellosis and Campylobacteriosis: water source, such as multiple-use pools. Dogs and cats can be a infrequent source of Any pets with diarrhea should be avoided infection of the bacteria, Salmonella and until the cause of diarrhea has been deter- Campylocater. In addition, the most com- mined. mon sources for humans are contaminated water; and milk or food contaminated by How can we keep ourselves and our pets domestic or farm animals. To prevent dogs healthy? and cats from being sources of infection, • Wash hands with soap and water they should be fed a quality commercial diet after contact with pets or feces; and no raw or undercooked meat. They • Wash hands well after working in should not be allowed to hunt. The cat dirt;

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• Keep pets healthy and have them • Animals with diarrhea should be regularly examined by a checked by a veterinarian for veterinarian; infection with Cryptosporidium, • Don’t feed pets undercooked or raw Giardia, Salmonella, meat, and do not let them get into Campylobacter, and Toxoplasma; garbage. Don’t allow them to hunt, • Stray animals and wild birds; eat feces, or drink from toilet bowls; • Exotic pets, until their health status • Keep pets free of fleas and ticks; is known; and • Avoid being bitten or scratched and • Reptiles and amphibians as they are keep pet nails trimmed for indoor major sources of Salmonella. pet; The benefits of pet ownership outweigh the • Discuss your concerns with your potential risk of disease in people. For many physician and veterinarian. zoonoses, people are more likely to get the disease from sources other than their pets. The What pets should be avoided? risks can be minimized for all people, including • Animals younger than 6 months old the immunocompromised, by practicing basic are more likely to carry diseases preventative measures. Contact your veterina- that can make you ill. rian and physician for more information.

Revised in 2019 from Original Source: Arendt, R.A. and T.Y. Morishita, A Guide to Pet Care for The Immunocompromised. Extension Factsheet, Veterinary Preventive Medicine. The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, #VME-17-03, 2003.