Posted on Sunday, 26th June 2011 by Brooke Richmond
Chrissy Carew’s and her five dogs all sleep together.
“I consider them full-fledged members of our family,” she said.
More than half of dog owners in the U.S. let their pets sleep next to them. Many are unaware of potential health risks.
“Sometimes we forget that they aren’t our children. They are pets and also they have their own life and there are diseases that can be transmitted,” Dr. Bruno Chomel, University of California, Davis, School of Veterinary Medicine
Dr. Chomel helped conduct the study for the Centers for Disease Control. He tracked people who let pets sleep in their bed or allowed animals to lick them.
In rare instances, some caught illnesses such as intestinal parasites, ringworm, bacterial infections and cat scratch fever.
“Some can be very dangerous,” said Dr. Chomel.
The very young and very old are the ones most at risk.
“You always think it will never happen to me, but when it happens to you it can be very sad and very bad,” said Dr. Chomel.
Eric Marlowe Garrison caught a case of ringworm from his roommate’s cat.
“The experience to me was pretty awful,” he said.
Eric says it forever changed his behavior around pets.
“It has certainly taught me a lesson,” he said.
Vets say the best defense is to keep a dog or cat “flea-free.” The insects bite and spread disease.
”Anytime human beings have close association with animals including their pets there’s some risk, but it’s very, very small,” said Dr. William Schaffner, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine
Dr. Schaffner lets his cat sleeps with him and the study results won’t change that. Chrissy makes sure her pets have regular checkups and she keeps them clean.
“My pets will continue to sleep with my husband and I forever and ever, we love it,” she said.
Of course, researchers have also found that pets provide positive health benefits, like reducing stress and anxiety, but experts agree you do need to practice good hygiene, like washing your hands after handling pets.
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Tags: Pets
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