Vet Talk: Pet owners and vets need to work together to prevent infectious zoonotic diseases
Pet owners can protect their pets and themselves through regular vet check-ups, good hygiene, and informing doctors about animal contact if unwell.
SINGAPORE – The Covid-19 pandemic and mpox and Ebola outbreaks globally serve as stark reminders of how diseases can be transmitted from animals to humans with severe consequences.
These high-profile outbreaks have raised public awareness about zoonotic diseases – those that spread between animals and humans . Yet, these headline-making diseases are just the tip of the iceberg.
Infectious animal diseases take various forms, such as newly discovered contagious diseases, familiar pathogens which appear in new areas and even common bacteria that develop resistance to the usual treatments.
It is particularly concerning that 75 per cent of emerging infectious diseases in humans originate in animals, according to the World Organisation for Animal Health.
Why pet owners should be concerned
Urbanisation is increasing interactions between wildlife, pets and humans; climate change is allowing disease-carrying insects to survive in new areas; and global connectivity means diseases can spread faster.
These increase the risk of pets being exposed to pathogens. In addition, evolving pet-care practices, such as feeding raw meat diets and the closer sharing of living spaces between pets and owners, are creating conditions that encourage the spread of zoonotic diseases.
The good news is that veterinarians are at the front line of detecting and preventing these zoonotic disease threats. They are part of an early warning system that helps identify potential infectious disease risks before they become major outbreaks.
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When veterinarians notice unusual health or behavioural patterns in their pet patients, it can signal broader health concerns that might affect the community.
This reflects Singapore's One Health approach, which recognises that the health of humans , animals and the environment are closely interlinked, with government agencies, academia and the private sector working closely together on transdisciplinary issues.
Zoonotic diseases to watch for
For pet owners, the challenges of infectious animal diseases might seem daunting, but by working together, veterinarians and pet owners can create strong defences to keep both animals and humans healthy.
There is plenty of information on how Singapore works to prevent incursions of major zoonotic diseases, such as high pathogenicity avian influenza and rabies.
Here are some examples of under-discussed zoonotic diseases that are more commonly found in pets and what people can do to minimise these risks.
1. Toxoplasmosis
This is a zoonotic disease that occurs worldwide. It is caused by a parasite and infects most warm-blooded animals, including cats and humans .
Most cats that are infected do not show signs of disease, but some may develop fever, loss of appetite and lethargy. To protect cats from toxoplasmosis, owners should avoid feeding them raw meat.
Another measure to protect cats is keeping them indoors to prevent them from hunting rodents. Under the new cat licensing requirements that started in September 2024, cat owners must ensure that their cats do not freely roam outdoors.
Humans may be infected by the parasite that is shed in the faeces of infected cats. Reduce the risk of infection by removing faeces from the litter box at least once a day and wash your hands after handling the litter box.
2. Salmonellosis
Raw meat is also a risk for another zoonotic bacteria that causes salmonellosis, which may cause severe gastrointestinal signs in pets and humans .
Avoid feeding of raw meat to protect your pets and people from multiple zoonotic disease risks.
3. Leptospirosis
Leptospirosis is a bacterial disease that occurs worldwide, including in Singapore, and can affect both dogs and humans . It is common in urban areas where there are rat populations capable of spreading the bacteria and stagnant puddles of water from heavy rainfall.
Dogs can get an annual vaccine that protects them from leptospirosis. The vaccine reduces the severity of disease and decreases shedding of bacteria, which provides protection to other animals and people who handle them.
As transmission to humans can occur through contact with the urine and body fluids of infected animals, pet owners should practise good personal hygiene by washing their hands with soap and water after handling the urine of their pets.
Proper food waste disposal and responsible feeding of community animals can help reduce rat populations and hence reduce the likelihood of pets encountering infected rodents or contaminated environments.
Tips on protecting your pets
1. Schedule yearly health check-ups with your veterinarian. For older pets, more frequent visits are recommended, typically every six months.
2. Vaccinate your pets and keep them up to date with boosters.
3. Feed nutritionally balanced, age-appropriate commercial pet food (such as kibbles or canned food) or consult your veterinarian on appropriate home-cooked diets.
4. If your pet is unwell, seek veterinary advice promptly.
How to protect yourself and household members
1. Practise good hygiene, such as washing hands thoroughly after handling pets and keeping your pet's living area clean.
2. If you are unwell, seek medical attention promptly and let your doctor know if you came into contact with animals.
3. Take extra precautions when high-risk groups are interacting with pets, including pregnant women, elderly individuals or people with compromised immune systems.
By staying vigilant and working together, we can better protect both our pets and our communities from zoonotic health threats, and that is the essence of One Health.
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