Splenectomies and cats....or is it dogs?

[chique]

I read an article several years ago about a veterinarian who had to quit his practice. He was kicked by a horse and subsequently had his spleen removed. His doctor told him to avoid cats (or dogs, can’t remember which) because they carried a virus/parasite/other bug that would kill him.

I know that the spleen plays a role in the immune system, but I’m trying to come up with the name of this particular disease because 1) my sister thinks I’m nuts; 2) it’s starting to drive me that way; and 3) I’m having no luck with net searches.

Help me out, please?

[Duck_Duck_Goose]

Having your spleen taken out compromises your immune system.

http://www.rph.wa.gov.au/labs/micro/spleen.html

From this site, “Some (but not all) diseases that can spread from animals to people”:

http://www.cfc-efc.ca/docs/00000092.htm#diseases

Some of the highlights: Toxoplasmosis. “Cat scratch fever”, (Bartonellosis). Kennel cough (Bordetella). Psittacosis.

Obviously a veterinary practice is a bad place for someone with a severely compromised immune system.

There’s one more thing. Dogs can get canine parvovirus. People can get another kind of parvovirus, called “fifth disease”, but it’s a different kind from CPV, and you can’t get it from your dog. Probably if you have a severely compromised immune system, it could be very dangerous. It’s possible that the article you read was written by someone who didn’t understand the difference between the two parvos.

http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/diseases/parvovirus/B19.htm

**What is “fifth disease?”

Fifth disease is a mild rash illness that occurs most commonly in children. The ill child typically has a “slapped-cheek” rash on the face and a lacy red rash on the trunk and limbs. Occasionally, the rash may itch. An ill child may have a low-grade fever, malaise, or a “cold” a few days before the rash breaks out. The child is usually not very ill, and the rash resolves in 7 to 10 days.

What causes fifth disease?

Fifth disease is caused by infection with human parvovirus B19. This virus infects only humans. Pet dogs or cats may be immunized against “parvovirus,” but these are animal parvoviruses that do not infect humans. Therefore, a child cannot “catch” parvovirus from a pet dog or cat, and a pet cat or dog cannot catch human parvovirus B19 from an ill child.

Can adults get fifth disease?

Yes, they can. An adult who is not immune can be infected with parvovirus B19 and either have no symptoms or develop the typical rash of fifth disease, joint pain or swelling, or both.

**

[Duck_Duck_Goose]

Dang, I just realized that website didn’t mention leptospirosis. How could they leave that out?

http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dbmd/diseaseinfo/leptospirosis_g.htm

http://www.peteducation.com/dogs/lepto.htm

Come to think of it, it may very well have been lepto that the article was talking about.

The disease is much more of a problem in dogs, people and livestock. There are vaccines available but usually only for one or two of the more common strains.

(I’m not a Net genius, I just went looking for Lepto, parvo, distemper, and rabies. The Big Four for dog owners.)

[chique]

Thanks, DDG. Much

Am pretty sure “Toxoplasmosis” is what I was thinking of.

Woo!! Saved from insanity!