Scott Weese
Scott Weese is an Associate Professor in the Department of Pathobiology at the University of Guelph, and Public Health and Zoonotic Disease microbiologist for the University's Centre for Public Health and Zoonoses. After graduating with a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree and spending time in private practice, he completed an large animal internal medicine residency and Doctor of Veterinary Science graduate program. He is board certified in internal medicine by the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine and is Chief of Infection Control at the Ontario Veterinary College Teaching Hospital. He has an active research program focusing on infectious diseases, particularly those that can be transmitted between animals and people. He lives outside of Guelph, Ontario with his family and a collection of pets, including a dog, cat, fish and a herd of rare-breed sheep.
"Pet" bat bites child
A woman from Kansas was cited for keeping exotic pets within city limits after her son was bitten by one of the family's pet bats. The bats were confiscated and will be tested for rabies.
Some animals make good pets, some are mediocre and some are completely inappropriate. Bats are in the last category. Bats are the main vector for rabies virus in North America and they do not have to look sick to be carrying rabies. Bats can bite when being handled and bites are often very small, so they are not always taken care of or even noticed. A person not reporting a seemingly harmless bat bite is a common history in human rabies cases.
Even if rabies didn't exist, keeping pet bats would still be a bad idea. Bats are very difficult to care for properly, and rarely survive for long in captivity, except in well-run zoos with excellent facilities and very knowledgeable caretakers.
More information on rabies is available on our Resources page.
Exposure to animal blood
Periodically, pet owners may be exposed to blood from a pet. This can range from exposure to small amounts of blood through minor injuries like cut foot pads or broken toenails, to large amounts of blood following severe trauma.
In people, there are detailed protocols for avoiding blood exposure in healthcare situations, and protocols for managing people exposed to human blood in hospitals and in the community. This is mainly driven by concerns about HIV and hepatitis viruses that can be transmitted by contact with blood. But these viruses are not present in animals, and the risks of transmission of disease from pets to people through blood are very low. Even contact with blood from a rabid animal is not considered rabies exposure, because the virus is found in the saliva, not the blood. This has led to a rather cavalier approach towards blood exposure in veterinary medicine, which is understandable but not ideal. New infectious diseases continue to emerge in animals and people, and eventually there is likely to be one that can be transmitted between species by blood. Therefore, it is prudent to try to reduce exposure to animal blood when possible, but without getting overly concerned (or paranoid).
- Direct contact with animal blood should be avoided whenever possible.
- In particular, avoid getting animal blood on any cuts, scrapes or other broken skin, and avoid getting the blood in your mouth, nose or eyes.
- If you do get animal blood on your skin, wash it off as soon as possible.
- While it is extremely unlikely for a person to get sick from touching animal blood, make sure you tell your physician about the incident if you do become ill.
Rabies infection in adopted Iraqi dog
Another incident of importation of a dog with rabies has been reported. A number of dogs have been brought home by US soldiers, and a few cases of rabies have been found. In the latest case, rabies was diagnosed in 1 of a group of 26 dogs that was flown back to the US to join returning soldiers. All customs and health regulations were followed, but rabies was diagnosed in the dog approximately 3 weeks after arrival.
This incident highlights a few things, including the fact that rabies, even in dogs, can be quite common in some areas of the world, and that movement of animals across borders may increase the risk of introducing infectious diseases. Certainly, cases such as this should not be used to say that these dogs should not be adopted. Rabies (or other serious disease) is a rare event in these situations, and the overall risks to people are minimal if proper procedures are followed. This includes making sure that all animals remain accounted for after arrival, and pursing proper diagnostic testing in the event that they show signs of illness (as was done here). The other dogs that came back with the rabid dog are being monitored. The risk of transmission from this dog to the others is quite low, since it is unlikely that the dog was able to transmit rabies 3 weeks ago, well in advance of developing signs of disease. In some cases it can be weeks to months from the time a dog (or other animal) is exposed to rabies until they become infectious to others. Presumably, people that had contact with this dog recently are now undergoing post-exposure treatment.
More information about rabies can be found on the Worms & Germs Resources page.
Tapeworms in dogs and cats
Finding a tapeworm in a pet's stool can be a concerning event for some people. Tapeworms are intestinal parasites that can be found in varying percentages of dogs and cats. A common tapeworm (at least in North America) in dogs and cats is called Dipylidium caninum, and it can be found in a high proportion of dogs and cats in some regions, particularly animals that go outside and are infested with fleas. There is minimal concern about transmission of this tapeworm to people. Taenia pisiformis (dogs) and Taenia taeniaeformis (cats) are also common, and neither of these can infect people. 
People typically realize their pet has tapeworms when they see small tapeworm segments in the animal's stool. These whitish, rice-sized pieces (called proglottids, see the picture on the right) are parts of the adult tapeworm, which break off and are passed in the stool.
Tapeworms are not usually harmful to dogs and cats, particularly if only one or a few worms are present. In some situations, weight loss can occur. Affected animals may 'scoot' (drag their rear end across the ground) because of irritation from tapeworm segments that are passed in the stool.
Diagnosis of a tapeworm infestation is easiest through identification of tapeworm segments in stool. Identification of tapeworm eggs in stool samples through routine testing used for other intestinal parasites is less useful, as the bare eggs are infrequently shed in stool. Therefore, a negative fecal egg examination does not rule out tapeworms.
Dipylidium infections are extremely rare in people. Children are at greatest risk. Disease in people, if present, is usually mild and easily treated. However, finding tapeworms in a person's stool can be distressing to the individual (and their family). Dipylidium cannot be transmitted directly from animals to people. People and pets get infected by ingesting a flea that is infected with tapeworm larvae. Therefore, flea control is the most important aspect of tapeworm prevention. People that find tapeworm segments in their stool should contact their physician to determine whether they are actually tapeworms (people often mistake other things for tapeworm segments) and to determine whether any treatment is needed.
There are specific dewormers that can be prescribed by your veterinarian to eliminate tapeworms in pets. It is also important to take measures to control fleas and prevent dogs and cats from catching and eating animals that might be carrying fleas.
Do you know where 'that doggy in the window' came from?
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Nearly 700 dogs were seized in the largest puppy mill raid ever in Tennessee. Puppy mills are large scale breeding operations that produce large numbers of puppies under questionable to horrible conditions. They typically raise dogs under intensive conditions, such as in cages in barns. There may be little attention to the quality of parents, with the goal being production of a large number of puppies, not production of healthy, happy and safe household pets. These conditions lead to increased risk of health problems, carriage of infectious diseases that can be transmitted to people and behavioural issues related to lack of proper care, inbreeding, poor veterinary care, lack of socialization with people and little attention to breeding appropriate parents. The high rates of infectious diseases can lead to excessive and inappropriate use of drugs like antibiotics and antivirals. Some puppies receive multiple rounds of drugs while passing through puppy mills and pet stores. Overuse of antibiotics and important antiviral drugs like Tamiflu is a major concern.
Unfortunately, puppy mills (and smaller poor-quality breeding operations) are widespread, especially in some US states. Puppies from these operations can be sent across North America and sold through newspaper ads, internet ads and pet stores.
Puppy mills exist because there is a market for the puppies. I've never understood why people often spend incredibly large amounts of money for dogs of questionable background, marginal health and potentially raised in inhumane conditions. Why buy a puppy that might have originated from a puppy mill when you can get a puppy (probably healthier) from a humane society or reputable breeder? Great dogs are awaiting adoption at humane societies. Otherwise, get to know the breeder. Good breeders make sure that their dog is appropriate for you, and you are appropriate for the dog. Places offering multiple breeds, that always have puppies available upon demand and don't ask a lot of questions about potential buyers are a concern and could indicate that the puppies are being raised in puppy mill-like conditions.
Dog bites cost millions
A recent report by the Insurance Information Institute stated that 1/3 of US homeowner insurance
liability claims that were paid in 2007 were due to dog bites. This represented a cost of over $356 million! The average cost per claim was an astounding $24 511.
This is just one more piece of evidence indicating the importance of dog bite prevention. The $356 million cost is just insurance claims. Not all bites are associated with insurance claims but can still be associated with financial costs, in addition to the obvious pain and emotional costs. There were ~14 500 insurance claims in 2007, but it is estimated that 4.7 million people are bitten by dogs in the US each year, with 800 000 people requiring medical care.
In the US, dog owners are liable for injuries caused by their pets in the following circumstances:
- if the owner knew the dog had a tendency to bite
- if a state statute makes the owner liable, whether or not the owner knew the dog had a tendency to bite
- if the injury was caused by carelessness on the part of the owner
It is important that everyone, pet owners and non-pet owners alike, know how to reduce the risk of being bitten by a dog. More information on bites can be found in the bites archives or in the dog information sheets in the Resources section.
Rabies awareness month
June has been declared Rabies Awareness Month in New York State. The focus of the occasion is on education, particularly with respect to bats. Since 1990, 38 of 41 human rabies cases in the US involved bats. Approximately one-third of bats tested in New York are positive for rabies. In 2007, 559 animals were confirmed as infected with rabies in New York, and more than 3000 people were treated for rabies exposure. Further, more than 1400 New Yorkers undergo treatment each year following exposure to bats that were not caught and tested. State health personnel are emphasizing the need to catch and test bats if people have had contact with them, or when a bat has been present in a house with a sleeping person. They have produced a video on how to safely catch a bat in the house.
Important points to remember about rabies and bats are:
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Never touch a bat.- Consider every bat to have rabies until proven otherwise.
- If you have slept in a house overnight with a bat, you are considered exposed. Unless the bat is caught and tested (and shown to be negative) you should undergo post-exposure treatment.
- If you or your pet may have been in contact with a bat, try to catch it (safely) so that it can be tested for rabies.
- Vaccinate your pets against rabies, even if they never leave the house.
Photo: Little brown bat (M.B. Fenton)
EU Antibiotic Awareness Day
The European Union has announced that November 18 will be the EU's Antibiotic Awareness Day.
Antibiotics are incredibly important drugs and save countless lives (human and animal) on a daily basis. Resistance to antibiotics is a major threat to human and veterinary medicine. While antibiotic resistance is a complex issue, overuse and improper use (in animals and people) undoubtedly contribute to the emergence and spread of resistant bacteria like MRSA. Awareness of these concerns is important for healthcare professionals (both human physicians and vets) and the general public. Here are some general points to remember with respect to pets and antibiotics:
- Do not encourage your vet to prescribe antibiotics when they are not necessary. Vets (and physicians) often feel pressure to prescribe 'something', even though they have no clear evidence of a bacterial infection. Antibiotics do not work for viral infections.
- Never give antibiotics to your pet without the direction of your vet.
- Always give the full antibiotic course, as prescribed. Do not stop early. Your pet may look better but the infection could still be there.
- Never save antibiotics for 'future use'. If your pet develops another infection, you need to have your pet evaluated by a vet to determine if antibiotics are needed, and what antibiotic would be best.
FDA Requests Seizure of Animal Food Products at PETCO Distribution Center
The US Food and Drug Agency (FDA) has issued a warning about pet food produced by PETCO in the US and sold at PETCO stores in Alabama, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, and Wisconsin. The food production facility was inspected in April and had a serious bird and rodent infestation. The problems had not been corrected by the next visit so the FDA seized the food. They are concerned that the poor hygienic conditions in the facility could put pets at risk from eating the food, or people at risk from handling the products. No illnesses in people or pets have been reported, but au
thorities are urging people to report any possible cases. They are also recommending that people wash their hands thoroughly if they have had contact with these products (including packaging), and that they wash any surfaces that have come into contact with these products (including packaging). Presumably, people should contact the store about a refund (I'm not sure I'd want a replacement from a plant that was shut down for repeated serious hygienic breaches).
Any potential illnesses associated with these products should be reported promptly to the FDA's consumer complaints coordinators.
There is no indication any of these products were sold in Canada.
Pet store sued over bird owner death
Once again, a pet store is being sued following a death related to a pet sold at the store. Earlier, we
reported a pet store being sued by a woman whose husband died of lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus. Now, a pet store is being sued after a man died of psittacosis. This disease is caused by Chlamydophila psittaci, a bacterium that is most commonly found in psittacine birds (parrot family). It can cause disease in birds but can also be carried by healthy birds. The family had purchased a cockatiel prior to the man's illness, although details about the timing of disease, the bird's health and whether the bird was identified as carrying Chlamydophila psittaci aren't clear.
Typically, psittacosis causes flu-like disease and is easily treated, if diagnosed properly, however more severe disease can develop. Infected birds can shed the bacterium through feces and nasal secretions. People usually become infected by inhaling aerosolized bacteria from dried feces or nasal secretion.
Psittacosis is an uncommon disease. Only 125 human cases were reported to the CDC in the US between 2000 and 2006, however many more cases probably occurred. The risk of acquiring psittacosis from a pet bird is very low.
- Bird owners should make sure that their physician is aware that they have contact with birds. Psittacosis should be considered in people with flu-like disease that have bird contact.
- Do not buy birds that look unhealthy (lethargy, nasal or eye discharge, ruffled feathers...).
- If you have other birds, isolate new birds for 30 days before allowing them to have contact with existing birds.
- Reduce aerosolization of materials when cleaning cages. Lightly wetting cage paper will reduce the risk of aerosolization.
- Wash your hands after handling birds or cleaning their cage.
