Are pets dangerous for your children?

Having pets and children under one roof can be worrying at times. When it comes to cats, they can sometimes carry diseases, but there are very few diseases that are transmissible from cats to humans.
Doctors recommend keeping the cat indoors and away from roaming cats, this is one of the safest ways to keep the cat free from disease and parasite.
If your children are cat lovers, then you should be wary of pets or rather some unwanted visitors they may be carrying — affecting the children’s brains, according to a new research.
According to a study by The Journal of Parasitology, parasites carried by cats are linked to reduced reading and memory aptitude in children. Toxoplasma gondii is a parasite grown in the guts of cats that hides in cells in the brain and muscles without producing any symptoms.
Children who tested positive for this parasite, which can be spread through contact with faeces, had poorer reading and memory skills.
Scientists at the University of Iowa and Florida International University conducted the study. They gave children a cognitive test to assess their reading and memory and found that children who tested positive for the parasite, scored lower in the tests.
Toxoplasma gondii can produce a flu-like illness, but in more severe cases, it can go on to form cysts in the brain cells.
The authors of the study also said that vitamin E could help reduce the effects of Toxoplasma gondii on the brain.
However, they said they would need more longer-term studies to confirm findings.
The scientists also referred to previous research that found this parasite can alter human behavior due to the effect it has on the brain.
Besides cats, other causes of this parasite infection include: undercooked meat, especially lamb and venison, and ingesting water, soil or anything else contaminated by cat faeces.
According to pediatrician Dr. Laila Jamal at King Abdulaziz Hospital, it is fairly rare to pick up a disease from a cat. “It is highly recommended that mothers take their cats to the vet for a full checkup before their child is born,” she said. “The vet should check the cat for ringworm. They need to ensure they stick to a regular worming and de-fleaing regime,” she added.

Below is a list of diseases that can be caused by pets, especially cats:

Salmonella: This diseases is caused by bacteria of the Salmonella genus existing in cats. It is most commonly acquired via oral ingestion. Cats are most likely to become infected after eating certain kinds of birds. Humans and cats are not allowed to be physically close to their nose and mouth.

Cat Scratch Disease: This is caused by a bacteria called Bartonella Henselae. This is rarely a problem in people with a healthy immune system; it is most often seen in immunocompromised people. Antibiotic treatment for you and your cat usually clears up this infection.

Toxoplasmosis: It is caused by a parasite called Toxoplasma gondii. Many animals can get toxoplasmosis including sheep and cattle. Cats shed the parasitic cysts in their faeces, which then infect humans and other animals. In healthy adults, Toxoplasmosis usually causes only mild symptoms. If a woman becomes infected during her pregnancy it can have devastating effects on the unborn fetus.
If a woman owns a cat while being pregnant it is advisable to do a blood test to see if she has antibodies to Toxoplasmosis, which would indicate a past exposure to the parasite. If she has been infected in the past, there is little to no risk of her passing it on to her unborn baby. If the new mommy hasn’t had prior exposure, it is advisable to have her partner clean litter trays during the pregnancy. Or if she chooses to clean it herself, she must use rubber gloves and try to avoid inhaling any dust from litter trays, it is advisable to wear a mask.

Humans can also be infected by eating undercooked meat and vegetables, one must ensure the meat is thoroughly cooked and that they wash their hands and utensils after handling meat. There is a greater risk of one becoming infected with Toxoplasmosis from raw and undercooked meat than there is from your cat, if kept indoors.

Ringworm: This is caused by a fungi, not a worm. It is more a nuisance than a danger. It can sometimes be hard to eliminate from the environment, however with stringent cleaning and the use of anti-fungal creams it can be cleared up. Again, if the cat is indoors and has been cleared as safe by the vet, there is little chance of catching the disease. Ringworm is more common in kittens and cats living in over-crowded conditions.
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