PHOTO BY SHLOMIT WOLF
The swine flu epidemic affecting the U.S. and other nations has brought up several good questions for dog owners. How do you care for a dog when you are sick? Can you transmit an illness to him? Should you let someone else care for your dog temporarily? Here’s are 3 helpful pieces of information:
1 - You can transmit a bacterium to your dog.
One of the most common ones is associated with strep throat. Although your dog may not develop symptoms, he will harbor the bacterium in his system. This event could initiate a problem in your household because your dog could then spread it to other members of your household. Yes, dogs can infect humans with a sickness. Click here to read what the Center For Disease Control (CDC) has to say about it. However, before you get excited, you can’t give them the swine flu or vice versa.
2 - Keep your dog close to you when you are ill.
Dogs give humans a lot of comfort, especially when we are ill. So, keep your pet dog close when you feel sick. People who do tend to feel better faster. If you suffer from a terminal disease, you may even want to get a therapy dog. Therapy dogs are trained to aide people who are ill. Read more about them at Therapy Dogs.
3 - Ask for help if you are weak, sick and bedridden.
This point is obvious. If you can’t get out of bed, you can’t take care of your pet dog. So, you need help. Ask someone else to walk, feed and care for him. If you live with others, delegate these duties. If you live alone, ask a neighbor. It will help you have peace of mind and keep your dog feeling good too.
These are the three main things you need about caring for your dog when you’re sick. Use them and you’ll stay clear of any “pet issues” when you are ill.
Want to know what it's like to be in the military and living in Seattle? Read all about with the help of our latest examiner - Kristina Jones. She has a column on "Seattle Military Issues."
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