A range of diseases can be transmitted by domestic pets such as dogs, cats and birds. These are as follows:—
Toxocariasis — caused by the ingestion of toxicara eggs passed in the excrement of infected cats and dogs.
Toxoplasmosis — caused by the ingestion of infective eggs in the excrement of infected cats. This disease can also be passed via the placenta and can cause congenital defects in a developing foetus.
Psittacosis — Parrot Fever — caused by the inhalation of the infective agent from infected birds.
Cat Scratch Disease — caused by a localised lymph node infection which occurs following scratching or skin puncture by a cat.
Rabies — caused by an infected domestic dog.