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Health Awareness Program
Protecting The Ones We Love
As many bird,
dog, and cat owners know, animals are not only our pets but
also a part of our families and it is important to ensure that
all members of the family are healthy
It is for this reason that we have introduced out Health Awareness
Program. This program was designed to educate pet owners and
protect them against harmful organisms, known as zoonoses, that
can be passed from animals to humans. Although, healthy persons
can contact zoonotic diseases, the people most susceptible to
these types of infections are those with suppressed immune system
such as small children, the elderly and those with immune-suppressing
illnesses.
How Are These Infections Spread?
There are numerous means by which these types of zoonotic infections
can be transmitted from pets to humans. Direct transmission
may be a result of scratches and/or bites (saliva) from infected
animals, or through contact with urine and/or feces that may
contain these harmful organisms. Although, only a small percentage
of these types of infections do result from pet contact, it
is important that we, as pet owners, familiarize ourselves with
the potential risks that our loved ones can be exposed to.
When Should The Program Be Used?
The Health Awareness Program uses DNA technology to detect theses
organisms. It is recommended that these tests be preformed upon
the initial purchase or acquirement of any new pet, regardless
of origin, that will be entering your home. This should be followed
especially if the animal has been purchased at a pet store or
pet shelter where poor hygiene, unsanitary conditions and crowded
cages tend to be a factor. After your veterinarian completes
this, periodic testing should be preformed depending on how
often the pet is exposed to other outdoor animals or if the
pet acquires any type of bite and/or scratch wounds from any
strange animals.
It should also be suggested to those pet owners wishing to start
a family, or to those who have small children already, that
they perhaps test their animals for these pathogens, as most
of these infections are particularly harmful to pregnant women
(Toxoplasma gondii), and/or younger children who tend
to play more with the animals (especially near their mouths,
where many organisms harbour).
Three profiles exist in the Health Awareness program all of
which incorporate the most common types of zoonotic infections
specific to a particular species of animal. Some of these organisms
are enteric pathogens, which means that they live in the intestines
and are shed in the animal feces; thus they can easily infect
all animals and/or persons that have contact with the animal.
There is a profile available through your veterinarian that
screens solely for the contagious organisms that are shed in
the diarrhea of infected animals (e.g. Salmonella,
being most common infectious agent). Ask your veterinarian about
HealthGene's DNA Animal Diarrhea Profile.
*** Any positive results reported to your veterinarian should also immediately
be brought to the attention of your family doctor ***
The DNA profiles are as follows:
For more information, please contact us at 1-877-371-1551 or by e-mail at
info@healthgene.com
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10 basic steps you should follow to reduce
risk of infection
1.Keep your animal and its environment clean.
2.Wash your hands after petting or handling your pet.
3.Feces, urine, vomit and other body discharges are
the main source of infection. Avoid direct
contact and wear rubber gloves when cleaning.
4.Protect any scratches or cuts from being licked
by the animal.
5.Change the litter box daily, preferably with gloves.
6.Do not feed your pet uncooked meat or poultry.
7.Supervise your animal when outside. Keep your pet
from drinking dirty water and eating food
off the ground.
8.Avoid contact with animals - "strangers".
9.Make sure that any new pet is tested before bringing
it into your home.
10.VISIT YOUR VETERINARIAN REGULARLY FOR HEALTH CHECK
UPS.
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