Professor Warns of Death by Pooch Smooching?
01/26/2011
Professor Besmirches Pooch Smooching
A veterinary professor has written an article for a scientific journal showing that people who allow their pets to lick them, give them "kisses" or sleep with them are at risk for a variety of diseases known as zoonoses. Zoonoses? What the heck? Is this what what happens when you have zoonose?
According to a University of California, Davis professor and his fellow researchers, the risks associated with smooching your dog or cat, or even letting them sleep on your bed, can range from the mundane to the life-threatening, particularly among infants and people whose immune systems have been weakened by disease, chemotherapy or other medicines.
Okay, okay - we get that, but conversely, I'm thinking that the health benefits of smooching our pets or allowing them to share our beds with us far outweigh the risk of zoonose...right? Given that recent studies indicate that 50% of all dog owners and up to 75% of all cat owners sleep with their pets, it sounds like most of us pet lovers are willing to take the risk!
What do you think?
As a animal lover, I'm all for an occasional lick from my pooch on the cheek or forehead, but I must draw the line at those who literally make-out with their dogs, essentially allowing their pet to conduct a tooth enamel cleaning..that's what a toothbrush is for. (See Exhibit A). What do you think ?
Comments
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OK, I admit... you made me click to find out what a zoonose was... :(
Posted by: Melissa | 01/26/2011 at 01:58 PM
So sorry Melissa, but I couldn't help myself.
Posted by: Janet McCulley | 01/26/2011 at 03:59 PM
I think the benefit of having your little pet show you some lovin' far out weighs the risk of getting some disease.
Posted by: dopey1947 | 01/26/2011 at 04:26 PM
While this picture is pretty gross...I do let a dog kiss me once on the lips. I need to know about this supposed disease risk. But I do not buy into something called "zoonose". LOL
Posted by: Amy Seidler | 01/27/2011 at 08:55 AM
I knew I shouldn't buy into it...I clicked on the link too. But I presume dogs without shots and so on could be risky kissin' business.
Posted by: Amy Seidler | 01/27/2011 at 08:59 AM
The correct spelling is Zoonosis. It refers to those infectious diseases that can be transmitted from non-human animals to humans and vice-versa. Honestly, if you have your pet on monthly flea/tick control and take them to the vet regularly, then you have nothing to worry about. But how many pet owners actually take their pets to the vet on a regular basis? I know I am one.
Posted by: Aki | 01/27/2011 at 09:06 AM
Well i guess this pertains to a quarter of a million folks as my self i have a toy chiwawua and he 91 has shots and all i dont kiss him but he sleeps with me in the bed am i zoonose??
Posted by: Deb | 01/27/2011 at 09:07 AM
I work with someone who is disabled and they have a 6 month old puppy- they have always had a dog but the last one grew old and sickly and was put down. Since working with this person I have seen them "makeout " if you will with these dogs and it is just disgusting! The dog was outside pooping and licking itself and maybe even eating it's poop . So that leaves a person whose immune system is somewhat compromised open to all kinds of diseases and germs and infections. The nursing staff and personal care staff have had conversations about this and the person just doesn't seem to get it. They are not mentally disabled , only physically. The dogs literally thrust their whole mouth and nose into this persons mouth . We are all getting very upset . If anyone has any ideas out there about what we can do to get this madness to stop , please give ideas! Thanks !
Posted by: Lorena | 01/27/2011 at 09:28 AM
No!! no kisses! They kiss their own BUTTS and then give you kisses...I had a dog that I loved every much - she would always eat her 'POO'..No thank you for kisses..
Posted by: Cordelia Wheless Vasile | 01/27/2011 at 09:37 AM
No!! no kisses! They kiss their own BUTTS and then give you kisses...I had a dog that I loved every much - she would always eat her 'POO'..No thank you for kisses..
Posted by: Cordelia Wheless Vasile | 01/27/2011 at 09:37 AM
This is very unhealthy not to mention DISGUSTING !
Posted by: Ronnie Pitts | 01/27/2011 at 09:53 AM
I have a 2yr old chihuahua, I love him so much hes my son. Sometimes when he wants to I let him give me kisses but not all gross kisses and he does sleep with me too sorry but I see no harm in that. He sleeps by my feet so what's so wrong with that. Besides I read this and something doesn't seem right
Posted by: Sable | 01/27/2011 at 10:23 AM
Oh come on - Dogs mouths are cleaner than human mouths. That is a scientific fact that has been long established. People heal faster when they have a dog around.
As for the picture above - yuck!
Posted by: Katie | 01/27/2011 at 11:21 AM
Oh come on - Dogs mouths are cleaner than human mouths. That is a scientific fact that has been long established. People heal faster when they have a dog around.
As for the picture above - yuck!
Posted by: Katie | 01/27/2011 at 11:21 AM
i also let my dog kiss me once but never inside my mouth!, thats just wrong. and fyi im pretty sure "zoonose" is just a term refering to disease that can be transfered from your pet to a human :)
Posted by: sarahbb | 01/31/2011 at 02:31 PM
dont think so no zoonose i have pets all my life my pets sleep with me and gives kiss's not in mouth but cheaks worked for vet only thing i know u can get is a cold if pet has one an u can give your pet a cold if u got one?
Posted by: Harmony gamble | 03/13/2011 at 09:10 PM