Do You Have to Give up Your Pet if You Have a Compromised Immune System?

Should Immune-compromised People Avoid Pets?

            Pets provide comfort and health benefits such as reduced blood pressure and reduced anxiety.  But, they may pose health risks to those who have compromised immune systems such as people with AIDS or those undergoing chemotherapy.  Does that mean someone with immune compromise should get rid of their pets?  The short answer is, no.  However, some precautions may need to be taken for a person with immune compromise to live safely with pets. 

            While dogs and cats pose lower risks, animals such as reptiles and birds or rodents may carry unusual diseases, cannot be vaccinated, and may be difficult to screen for disease.  It is advised not to choose these animals as pets or limit contact with these pets if you have any type of immune compromise to prevent transmission of disease such as salmonellosis, psittacosis and campylobacter. 

            Dogs and cats may also pose risks as carriers of parasites and bacterial and other infections that are zoonotic (may be passed to humans).  Bite wounds are the most common pet-associated injury encountered, and severe or even systemic septic infection from a bite, especially a cat bite, poses a much higher risk to an immunocompromised individual. 

            So, if you or a family member are undergoing immune-suppressive treatment or have an illness causing immune compromise, some guidelines should be followed to avoid potential infection from your pets.

            Limit or avoid contact with birds, reptiles and amphibians.

            Use proper hygiene and wash hands after handling your pet, especially before preparing or eating food.  It is also recommended to avoid kissing pets or allowing them to lick your face.

            Avoid feeding raw diets or allowing cats to go outdoors to hunt.

            All pets should receive routine broad-spectrum parasite control products such as Sentinel or feline Revolution as well as routine flea and tick preventatives.

            All pets should be examined regularly by a veterinarian, screened for parasites and other diseases, and regularly vaccinated against zoonotic diseases such as leptospirosis and rabies.

            Immune-compromised individuals should avoid cleaning cat litter pans, bird or reptile cages, and aquariums or should wear protective gear such as gloves and masks if no alternative exists.

Having a compromised immune system does not mean that you cannot own pets or that you need to get rid of your pets; however, providing your pet routine healthcare, using parasite prevention on your pet and using good hygiene are all important to keeping your pets healthy and yourself safe.

            This blog brought to you by the Patton Veterinary Hospital serving Red Lion, York and the surrounding communities.

Sources:

https://www.cliniciansbrief.com/article/should-immunocompromised-humans-avoid-pets

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3096326/