Could Stroking Your Pet Lead to Cysts in Your Brain?

You may see nothing wrong with stroking your cat or rubbing your dog’s belly, but your wellness may be at risk by doing so. Pets are carriers of germs that are unintentionally passed on to you, and can cause you to develop health concerns such as skin infections, respiratory ailments and even cysts in your liver and brain.

 

‘The scabies is a skin disease, wherein tiny spider-like mites on the pet results in an itchy rash around the belt,’ explains Dr Bimal Kanish, dermatologist at Christian Medical College and Hospital. ‘This disease is quite common as we do come across one or two cases in a day where one of the sources of infection can be pets. Apart from that, bites by mites on the pets, also results in irritation and redness of skin in humans. We suggest the patients to maintain personal and domestic hygiene apart from the medical treatment.’

 

Dr Gurpreet Singh, chest disease specialist at SPS Apollo Hospital, commented, ‘Some people do complain of symptoms of asthma and bronchitis aggravating after they come in contact with a pet just returning from outside. I get around seven to eight cases of asthma and bronchitis on daily and during consultation they inform of their symptoms aggravating after coming in contact with their pets. The hair of the pets should be cleaned properly as they act as a carrier of allergens like dust and pollens.’

 

According to wellness experts, it is possible for the tapeworm in your pet’s body to transfer to you, which may affect your wellbeing with cysts in your liver and sometimes in your brain. Dr Harmeet Singh Saluja, gastroenterologist at SPS Apollo Hospital, advises, ‘Proper hygiene is a must to avoid hydatid cysts in the liver and brain. I do get one such case in a week, whereas we hardly used to get any case about a decade ago. This is mainly due to the increase in the trend for pets in the city.’ Dr Jaspreet Singh Mauj, a veterinarian from Sarabha Nagar, added, ‘The pets need to have a good hygiene apart from the proper cleanliness where they live. They should be frequently bathed. Their de-worming should be done in proper time span apart from their regular check ups. They should also not be allowed to go anywhere near the place where food is getting cooked.’

Asthmacystspets