PET owners and animal lovers are being warned of the deadly consequences of letting their pets lick them – after a dad-of-two sadly passed away in Dublin.
Taxi driver Craig Jones was hospitalised with a life-threatening condition he caught from his dog’s saliva.
The Dubliner’s wife found him purple and cold before medics arrived.
After suffering six cardiac arrests, his body was unable to respond to treatment and he shockingly died of organ failure.
The 49-year-old died in Connolly Hospital Blanchardstown on December 21, 2022.
Dublin District Coroner’s Court heard that Mr Jones was suffering from a sepsis-related condition and linked the infection to one commonly carried by dogs.
Mr Jones’ sore was a result of his severe psoriasis, a skin condition that often causes scaly patches, cuts and open sores.
When the dog’s tongue came into contact with Mr Jones, it is thought the lethal pathogen entered his bloodstream.
Dr Eoghan O’Neill said: “It’s a very progressive bug which has a 33 per cent mortality rate once it enters the bloodstream.”
Coroner Cróna Gallagher urged others to take care by observing “good hygiene” around animals.
CATS
Cat owners should be aware of the dangers of Toxoplasmosis, which is caused by the parasite Toxoplasma gondii.
Felines become infected by eating contaminated food or infected prey like rodents and birds.
For around ten days after initial infection, cats shed the parasite, called oocysts, in their faeces.
And these oocysts can then contaminate soil, water, and food.
Owners can contract toxoplasmosis through a number of ways.
Accidentally ingesting oocysts can happen through gardening in contaminated soil, handling cat litter, or eating unwashed fruits and vegetables.
OTHER PETS
Bird owners should be aware of the bacterial infection Psittacosis, also known as “parrot fever”.
Symptoms may include diarrhoea, a runny nose, watery eyes and other respiratory complications.
Humans can catch the infection by inhaling dust containing dried bird droppings or respiratory secretion from infected birds.
It causes flu-like symptoms in humans such as fever, headache, and muscle aches.
Reptile lovers may be aware that they can carry salmonella bacteria in their intestines without showing any symptoms.
Turtles, lizards, and snakes can transmit the disease directly or indirectly to humans.
Signs of an infection
You have any of these symptoms of an infection:
- temperature of 38 degrees Celsius or higher
- temperature of under 36 degrees Celsius
- severe uncontrollable shivering
- feeling tired (fatigue)
- loss of appetite
- muscle and joint pain
- vomiting
- diarrhoea
Taking paracetamol may lower your temperature, but it will not treat the infection. Source hse.ie
