David
Ontario, CA

It may seem counterintuitive, but very few communicable diseases are spread by mouth. Water consumed from a communal bowl passes directly to the stomach. The stomach is very acidic and many germs cannot survive there.

Contagious diseases in dogs more commonly spread in other ways. Many intestinal pathogens (such as parvovirus and roundworms) spread through fecal-to-oral transmission. These pathogens are not present in the saliva, and therefore won’t spread in a communal water bowl unless an infected dog defecates in the bowl.

Many other infectious diseases spread through the respiratory tract. For instance, the pathogens that cause kennel cough and canine influenza are aerosolized during coughing or sneezing. When the pathogens are inhaled by a susceptible animal, they infect the respiratory system.

Of course, there are a few exceptions. The canine papilloma virus (which causes a minor, self limiting syndrome in dogs) can spread through saliva. And if a dog sneezes at the bowl, other dogs may be exposed to respiratory pathogens.

However, if your dog has a healthy immune system it is not likely that he will contract a serious disease from a shared water bowl.

However, the intermingling of children and pets poses risks for both. Here are some guidelines for protecting your offspring and your furry pals.

Unhealthy pets can spread disease to people. Children are most at risk. The diseases range from ringworm to roundworm to rabies.

However, the key phrase in the above paragraph is unhealthy pets. The risk to children from healthy pets is very low. The first guideline for safe interactions between pets and children is therefore to confirm that your pet is free of parasites and disease. Your vet can check your pet for disease by performing a physical exam and running basic tests. Broad spectrum anti-parasite medications can be used regularly to protect your children–and your pet.

Pets occasionally bite or scratch children. I have noted that many child injuries occur when an unsupervised, poorly socialized pet interacts with an unsupervised, poorly behaved child. I therefore recommend that you properly supervise and socialize your pet, and that you properly supervise and socialize your child. It’s also a good idea to keep your cat’s nails trimmed.

Injury can be a two way street when pets and children mix. Last weekend at the emergency hospital I treated several pets who wound up hurt (accidentally, of course) when left with a child. One, a Yorkshire Terrier puppy, wiggled out of a five-year-old’s arms and broke her leg. I expect her to make a full recovery. Another, a Terrier cross, was not so lucky. A child was holding her leash and she broke loose near a busy street. I don’t need to tell you what happened next. The child was inconsolable. For the sake of your pet and your child, do not allow your child to handle your pet unsupervised until he or she is able to do it safely.

Countless other pitfalls exist. Large dogs can knock children over accidentally. Pets can steal potentially toxic (to them) foods from the hands of careless children. For the sake of both children and pets, exercise common sense and practice due diligence.

DVM Newsmagazine recently reported on a new heartworm incidence study released by the American Heartworm Society. The study was not rigorously scientific, but it does provide evidence that heartworm incidence is increasing in certain areas. The notable areas in the US include the gulf coast, east coast, and northern California.

The triennial survey was distributed to more than 40,000 veterinarians last fall. Ultimately, veterinary practices from some 2,200 counties were represented . . . [a]ccording to the most recent results, the number of positive cases rose per clinic in 31 states. The reasons likely are multifactorial, including increased heartworm testing, increased client base per clinic or even climate trends.

Actual incidence of heartworm may be increasing. It’s also possible that veterinarians are detecting more cases due to increased testing. Either way, Dr. Sheldon B. Rubin, president of the American Heartworm Society, feels that heartworm disease is inexcusable.

“There is no reason a dog should have heartworm disease today. If we can get more animals on prevention, we will get the numbers of heartworm-infected animals down. It is a serious problem.”

Monthly heartworm preventatives are readily available. They have excellent safety profiles. Many of them have the added benefit of eliminating intestinal worms that may be contagious to human beings. My pal Buster gets his on the first of each month.

I recommend that you talk to your vet about protecting your pet from heartworm.

Photo: Indy contracted heartworm before he was adopted.