Pet Peeves

The infecting bacteria, called pasteurella, causes your hand to swell and can work it's way up your arm -- and farther. "Without treatment, you can develop fever, inflammation of the bone, neurological problems -- you can even die," explains Radford Davis, D.V.M., associate professor of public health in the College of Veterinary Medicine at Iowa State University in Ames.Cat-scratch disease -- another bacteria-borne infection -- is not nearly as serious. The Centers for Disease Control say that more than 20,000 people in the U.S. get the "fever" from cat scratches annually, exhibiting such symptoms as a pus-filled sore at the site of the injury, fatigue, headache, swollen lymph glands, and, yes, fever. Rest assured, however, the majority of cat scratches do not develop into this condition. We can't leave this "Bites" section without a few words about rabies, especially since many people still believe that the disease is linked to rabid dogs (remember "Old Yeller"?). In the U.S., rabies in dogs and cats has steadily decreased for 50 years thanks to widespread veterinary vaccination programs. And although 40,000 people each year receive shots to prevent rabies, 90 percent of them were exposed to bats and other wildlife -- not domestic animals. Prevention tips:

Never leave an infant or young child alone with a pet.Do not attempt to separate animals that are fighting.Do not approach an unfamiliar dog; if he approaches you, remain motionless -- do not run from him or scream.Do not disturb a dog that is eating, sleeping or nursing puppies. (FYI: 800,000 Americans seek medical attention each year for dog bites; half of these are children.)Don't tease or taunt cats -- 90 percent of cat bites are provoked. Use a flea control product since experts believe cat-scratch disease may be transmitted by fleas.Keep your cats' claws trimmed. Do not allow your pets to lick your open wounds.Next page: Beware of worms and parasites Roundworms and Hookworms and Parasites, Oh My!Worms live in your pets' intestines and are expelled in their feces. Your yard, playground and sandbox can become unwitting hosts to these parasites when worm eggs that are passed in stool hatch in the soil. Roundworms can cause a parasitic disease called toxocariasis, which affects about 10,000 Americans yearly. Most of the time, it's not serious and does not need to be treated. In fact, most people may not even notice symptoms. Serious cases mostly affect children who have accidentally ingested worm eggs by touching their mouths or handling food after playing in an area with contaminated stool or soil. "[Toxocariasis] can cause significant problems in children," maintains Davis. "The roundworm larvae travel into the body and [in the worst cases] can damage tissue and organs and cause blindness or reduced vision." More than 700 people a year suffer from partial loss of vision caused by a microscopic roundworm entering the eye and scarring the retina.

While hookworms are not as dangerous, their "yuck" factor is a lot higher. You get these by walking barefoot on or rolling in (if you're a kid) infected soil. The larvae penetrate the skin and develop into half-inch-long worms that crawl just beneath the skin's surface. "You usually find them in the foot or leg area," says Davis, "They cause skin inflammation and look like serpentine-type lesions." Though roundworm is harder to diagnose than hookworm, both can be treated successfully with medication. Another parasitic infection commonly called "litter box disease" is especially hazardous for pregnant women. Your cat can picks up the toxoplasma parasite by eating rodents, birds or undercooked meat and expels it in his stool. Though few people get sick from toxoplasma, it can be dangerous to a growing fetus, possibly causing birth defects and premature birth.Prevention tips:Clean up your animal's feces asap, especially if children play in your yard!Cover sandboxes so pets won't defecate in them.Get de-worming pills from your vet as soon as you bring a new animal home. (More than 90 percent of all puppies are born with worms.)Once a year, adult animals should get their stool tested by a vet, who can prescribe drugs to prevent -- as well as treat -- worms.Do not allow your cat to wander outside, where he can eat parasite-infected animals.If you're pregnant, have someone else clean the cat's litter box.Wash your hands after you've finished cleaning the yard or litter box.Next page: Bird flu, anyone

Polly Want a Fever? With more than 17 million pet birds in America, it stands to reason that our flighty friends transmit disease as well. More than 100 bird species are infected with "psittacosis," which you may know as parrot fever (because it's often found in parrot-like birds, including cockatiels and parakeets). Humans become infected via inhaling dried bird droppings and dust in birdcages. Though your bird may show no signs of illness, your symptoms can include dry cough, fever, chills and muscle ache. If untreated, pneumonia can develop. So get yourself -- and your bird -- to a medical professional for antibiotic treatment if you think you've been exposed.Prevention tip: When cleaning the cage (which should be done daily!), wear gloves and a dust mask, which will protect you inhaling the dust you create as you scrub out food, feathers and feces. No Fish Story More than 185 freshwater and 7 million saltwater fish are kept as pets here in the U.S. Though seemingly innocuous, aquarium water and the fish within harbor germs called mycobacterium that can lead to bumps and pus-filled lesions on your skin -- usually on the hands and wrist, the body parts that come in contact with the water. People with compromised immune systems and other diseases are particularly susceptible.

Prevention tip: Wear rubber gloves when cleaning the tank, and don't forget to wash your hands afterward!Next page: Wash away germsIt's a Zoo"Every year, some children come down with e.coli, salmonella or cryptosporidium from animals at a petting zoo," says Radford Davis, D.V.M., assistant professor of public health in the College of Veterinary Medicine at Iowa State University in Ames. "In some cases, they've been hospitalized." Hands-on contact with the animals at petting zoos, farms or county fairs, then eating, biting nails or touching the mouth afterward, can lead to some pretty ugly GI conditions that include bloody diarrhea, fever and vomiting.Prevention tip: "There's nothing wrong with petting, but children must wash their hands well afterward," urges Davis. Use soap and water, and don't eat anything till after you've washed up!