Step Perspective, Volume 5, Number 1; A Publication Of The Seattle Treatment Education Project - February 1993
Dyer Downing, RN, CRNI

If our immune system is suppressed through disease, age or medical treatments, we become more vulnerable to infections. When this hapens, we may become fearful of contact with other living creatures, including our pets. While there are a numbre of diseases we can catch from animals, very few of them psoe a threat to life. Furthermore, The Centers for Disease Control state that there is no evidence that dogs, cats or non-primate animals can contract HIV or transmit it to human beings. The benefits of animal companionship outweigh the risks.

--from Safe Pet Guidelines by Pets Are Wonderful Support

Pet Selection

Most experts agree that while immune suppression poses some risk to the pet owner, this risk can be almost eliminated by proper pet selection, proper pet care and good personal hygiene of the owner.

If you are looking for a pet there are a few things to keep in mind. How much physical care will your pet need, and are you able to provide that care? do you have adequate space for your pet to exercise? Will your pet have companionship or do you work 12-hour days? Can you afford regular veterinary care, grooming supplies and food for your pet?

Dr. Michael Desrosier, owner of the Broadway animal Hospital and founder of the Pet Support Network for people with HIV/AIDS offers these suggestions: "Puppies and kittens are not appropriate pets for immunosuppressed individuals because their naturally playful activities include much biting and scratching. Select an adult dog or cat (over 8 months) and be sure that your pet is spayed or neutered and receives regular vaccinations and veterinary care." Dr. Desrosier does not recommend wild or stray animals such as turtles, snakes and lizards or animals with known illnesses as pets for people with HIV/AIDS.

A new pet poses more of a health risk because its health history and vaccination record is usually not known. Adult pets are available for adoption from several local agencies. Not only do you get a potentially safer pet, but you may be rescuing your new friend by adopting it from an agency. The pet support Network may also have information regarding pets offered for placement if their current owner is no longer able to care for them.

Hygiene: Yours and Your Pet's

Wash your hands frequently, especially before eating, smoking or otherwise touching your face or eyes. Keep your pet and its living areas clean and well groomed; bathe dogs regularly. Keep your pet's nails trimmed short. Ask your veterinarian or groomer to show you how it's done.

While fleas cannot transmit HIV to your pet, they can transmit other diseases such as worms to your pet, and can frequently lead to scratching and/or sores. Kill those fleas! Talk to your veterinarian about flea control. this usually requires ongoing treatment of the animal, its sleeping quarters and the entire house.

Avoid contact with your pet's bodily fluids. Wear latex gloves to clean up accidents, wipe down the surface with a 10% bleach solution and wash your hands after removing the gloves. Or better yet, have someone not at risk clean up the mess.

Take care of any animal bit or scratch right away to prevent infection. Rinse the wound with running water, and disinfect it with Betadine solution. Betadine is available at all drug stores and many grocery stores in the skin care/antiseptic section. After treating your wound, you should contact your physician for further follow up. Signs of infection in a wound include swelling, warmth, redness, odor, drainage or a fever - if this happens you should be seen by your physician immediately. don't allow your pet to lick your wounds or your face - think about where it's tongue has been.

Cats and Toxoplasma Gondii

Most veterinarians and physicians feel that toxoplasmosis in a person with HIV is a reactivation of a prior exposure after the immune system is no longer able to keep it in check. Studies have shown that living in a home with cats does not necessarily lead to the development of toxoplasmosis. One study looked at 13 individuals who had initially tested negative for the toxoplasma antibody, but five years later tested positive; meaning these 13 individuals became infected with the parasite. Of these 13 individuals, only one lived in a home with a cat. A random sample of records kept on 80 individuals found that nearly half of these individuals lived with or had been in close contact with cats, yet none of these individuals became infected with toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii), the parasite which causes toxoplasmosis. a person can acquire toxoplasma by eating or handling raw meat or by contact with a litter box or garden area in which a cat with T.gondii has defecated. Cats get toxoplasmosis from eating raw meat, unpasteurized milk and hunting rodents and birds. A cat only sheds T.gondii (in the feces) for about two weeks after the initial infection. Even though the chances of acquiring toxoplasmosis from your cat are extremely slim, it never hurts to take some precautions.

It takes 24 hours for the T.gondii parasite in feces to become infectious so clean the stool out of the litter box daily. Wear latex gloves and wash your hands thoroughly after removing them. completely change the litter box every few days. Use disposable plastic liners and change them each time you change the litter. Wear gloves and gently gather the liner and seal it with a twist tie for disposal. disinfect the litter box at least monthly by filling it with boiling water and allowing it to stand for five minutes. No other disinfecting method seems to kill the T.gondii organism.

Of recent popularity is the new "clumping cat litter." This litter forms clumps of the urine that can also be scooped out of the litter box, and the litter is designed to be continuously reusable. However, it could be argued that this creates more need for the pet owner to be digging in the littler box, and may harbor residual bacteria in the reused litter. Check with your veterinarian to find out which kind of litter is best for you and your cat.

There is a theoretical risk that T.gondii can be inhaled if airborne, so wear a mask and don't dump the litter, which creates airborne particles. Disposable masks are available at medical supply stores, hardware stores or perhaps your veterinarian or pharmacist can help you order them. The mask is properly worn with a metal band over the nose bent to seal tightly against the skin and the bottom of the mask pulled down under your chin.

Diet

To prevent your pet from acquiring diseases which may be spread to humans, feed your pet only commercial pet foods. Never feed your pet raw meat or unpasteurized milk. Keep fresh water available at all times for your pet. Never let your animal drink from the toilet - keep the lid closed.

Most cheap grocery store pet foods contain a lot of fillers. Often you can decrease the amount of food your pet requires (and thus the volume of stool your pet puts out) by feeding it a higher quality pet food available from your veterinarian or pet supply store. "You have to look at the total value. Your pet will require less food yet be much better nourished. And it's been shown that well-nourished (not over-nourished) pets live longer, healthier lives," states Susan Stout, manager at the Seattle Pet Pros pet supply store. Ask your veterinarian for a dietary recommendation for your pet.

Keep your dog fenced or on a leash while walking to prevent it from scavenging, eating other animals' feces, or getting into garbage cans. Keeping our cats indoors will prevent it from hunting rodents and birds which can spread diseases.

Veterinary Medicine

Have your pet examined by your veterinarian at least once a year. Keep all vaccinations current. Keeping your pet's vaccinations current is essential to your pet's continued good health as well as your own. Cats are subject to viral diseases, including feline leukemia virus (FeLV) and feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV), which can be spread from cat to cat but not to humans. However, since these diseases affect the immune system, your cat may be more susceptible to other illnesses which could be passed on to you. It is recommended that people with HIV not keep a cat with FeLV or FIV. These feline viruses are different from the human immunodeficiency virus, which cats cannot contract. Remember that dogs, cats and other non- primate animals cannot contract HIV, nor can they carry or transmit it to humans.

Cat scratch disease seems to be a bacteria acquired from the scratch of a cat or when a cat licks your wounds. It is different from a scratch that later becomes infected. Although this disease is rare, many individuals with HIV choose to have their cats declawed as an extra precaution. Declawing is usually only done to the front paws and under general anesthesia. There is minimal post-surgical pain for the cat. Keep the rear claws trimmed.

Other Pets

Fish are very calming to watch, and can be a rewarding hobby. There are several fish diseases that an immunosuppressed person can catch, but these can be avoided since most people don't pet or play with their fish. Keep the aquarium clean, and when putting your hands into the tank, always wear gloves and wash your hands afterward. Ask your veterinarian to order you some disposable latex calf-birthing gloves which fit up to your shoulder and should protect you when cleaning your tank.

Turtles and other amphibians are not recommended as pets. Turtles defecate in their water and carry it all over the tank. Turtle feces harbors salmonella, which is especially dangerous to someone with a compromised immune system.

Birds are not recommended as pets. Birds carry many airborne diseases, including mycobacterium avium (MAI or MAC) and psittacosis. MAI disease is frequently seen in people with AIDS; however, the organism is everywhere in the environment and probably unavoidable. Other disease in birds can be tested for, but the tests are unreliable and negative results don't necessarily mean the bird is "safe."

Services for Pet Owners with HIV/AIDS

Pet Support Network is a nonprofit group dedicated to helping people living with HIV/AIDS to keep their pets healthy and with them as long as possible. PSN offers a veterinary clinic on the first Saturday of every month, from 4-6 pm for routine vaccinations and screening. In keeping with current safe-pet recommendations, the PSN clinic will only see adult dogs or indoor cats who have been spayed or neutered. In addition, PSN has volunteers available for in-home care, including feeding, walking, grooming, bathing, nail trimming, litter box care, transportation to the vet, and delivery of donated pet food. For more information and/or educational literature, contact the Pet Support Network c/o 1824 - 12th Ave., Seattle, Wa 98122 (206)328-8780

Pet Pros is a pet supply store with several outlets here in Seattle. They carry a vast array of pet supplies and premium pet foods. Pet owners get free delivery for a $10 minimum order. Call 527-8766

Mobile Veterinary Services - Dr. Tina Ellenbogen offers veterinary care in the home for pets of owners with impaired mobility or transportation difficulties. Dr. Ellenbogen is highly acclaimed for her ability to perform "well pet" care, disease treatment, diagnostic blood work and even euthanasia in the home. She caters to the homebound and has become indispensable to persons living with AIDS. Dr. Ellenbogen has also compiled a "pet resource guide" for homebound people. For more information call 485-7387.

The Pet Project, a Humane Society program, delivers donated pet food and cat litter free to people with transportation or financial difficulties. Food and litter donations are made from individuals or as memorials and are routed from other agencies to the Humane Society for delivery. For more information, or to make a donation, call 641-0080.

The Chicken Soup Brigade has volunteers to help with pets, i.e.: assistance/transportation for veterinary appointments, dog walking, cat box changes and other chores. For more information all 322-CARE.

PAWS, the Progressive Animal Welfare Society in Lynnwood offers a shelter for pets available for adoption. For more information call 743-3845.

PAWS, The Pets are Wonderful Support volunteer agency in San Francisco, is dedicated to improving the quality of life for persons with HIV disease by offering them emotional and practical support in keeping the love and companionship of their pets and by providing them with information of the benefits and risks of animal companionship. They produce the valuable brochure "Safe Pet Guidelines." For more information, write PAWS, Education Dept. PO BOX 460489, San Francisco, Ca 94146-0489 (415)824-4040

Delta Society is an organization devoted to studying and promoting the benefits of animal companionship. They have a resource library and also operate many different pet therapy groups. The Delta Society has put together an informational guide for pet owners with HIV, available for $16. For more information call 226- 7357

City of Seattle Animal Shelter and spay/Neuter Clinic offers pets for adoption and operates a low-cost spay and neuter clinic. For more information call the shelter at 386-4254 or the clinic at 386-4260.
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Copyright © 1993 - Seattle Treatment Education Project (STEP) - All rights reserved. Noncommercial reproduction is encouraged. STEP is published four times a year by the Seattle Treatment Education Project, 127 Broadway East, 3rd Floor, Seattle, WA 98102.    Email: step100@aol.com  STEP web page