Understanding Zoonosis
Zoonosis is a disease that can be transmitted from animal to human. This section is dedicated to helping you become more informed about the health and safety of you and your pet. It is not meant to take the place of a good qualified veterinary advice or the advice of your doctor. However, it hopefully will assist in answering some of the more basic questions. Zoonotic diseases include bacteria, viruses and parasites. These illnesses can by spread by the bacteria, virus, fungus or parasite entering your mouth, through the air or by a open wound on the skin. Some illnesses, such as ring worm, can be by contact alone. Understanding what is at risk between you and your rat will help you become a more responsible, well informed, pet owner.
To begin, it is important to note that there are hundreds of different animal spread illnesses that have been around throughout the centuries. EVERY pet has the potential to transmit disease to human. Salmonella, for example, has been transmitted from amphibians, reptiles and rodents. But it can also be found on poultry, beef, vegetables, eggs and milk. You can also pick it up from a dirty kitchen counter. And this is why human hygiene, such as thoroughly washing your hands, is so important. Proper hygiene prevents many illnesses from being transmitted. Not only from our pets, but from other people as well.
So, who is more at risk? Infants, young children, pregnant women, the sick and the elderly are more at risk. Young children especially need to be watched and monitored when around pets. Their immune system is still developing. And they are more prone to putting their fingers or even the animals itself, in their mouth. It is, therefore, imperative that children be supervised around any pet. It is also imperative that after touching, they be helped with proper hand washing techniques.
The golden rule to responsible pet ownership is hand hygiene! Please, remember to wash your hands immediately after handling or cleaning a habitat (including all items inside the habitat). If for any reason soap is not available, then an anti-bacterial hand sanitizer can be used. For more information about hand sanitizers and proper hand washing techniques please click here :
To begin, it is important to note that there are hundreds of different animal spread illnesses that have been around throughout the centuries. EVERY pet has the potential to transmit disease to human. Salmonella, for example, has been transmitted from amphibians, reptiles and rodents. But it can also be found on poultry, beef, vegetables, eggs and milk. You can also pick it up from a dirty kitchen counter. And this is why human hygiene, such as thoroughly washing your hands, is so important. Proper hygiene prevents many illnesses from being transmitted. Not only from our pets, but from other people as well.
So, who is more at risk? Infants, young children, pregnant women, the sick and the elderly are more at risk. Young children especially need to be watched and monitored when around pets. Their immune system is still developing. And they are more prone to putting their fingers or even the animals itself, in their mouth. It is, therefore, imperative that children be supervised around any pet. It is also imperative that after touching, they be helped with proper hand washing techniques.
The golden rule to responsible pet ownership is hand hygiene! Please, remember to wash your hands immediately after handling or cleaning a habitat (including all items inside the habitat). If for any reason soap is not available, then an anti-bacterial hand sanitizer can be used. For more information about hand sanitizers and proper hand washing techniques please click here :
PLEASE NOTE! It is not only what our pets can give to us, but what WE can give to our pets. Our mouth contains a lot of bacteria that is harmful to our pets. That's right, we can harm them! Do not put your pet in your mouth! To learn more about what exactly lives in our mouth please click here:
Is this scary stuff? Yes, but the good news is most of the zoonotic diseases mentioned are mostly found within the wild rat population and not domesticated pets. As with anything, there can be exceptions. But if you follow good hygiene practices, the risk are further minimized. The key is to educated yourself. Learn. Read. To do so will enable a safe and happy relationship with your rat. Here are some helpful links to get you started: