Should I Pet My Pets?
Animals are great to have around, especially cats and dogs. They keep you company when you’re sad. They can entertain you when you’re bored and share their calming presence when you want to be by yourself.
The pandemic has definitely brought us closer to our pets. Many animal shelters have had their wards adopted by those feeling the isolation brought on by the lockdown. This is great for both the animals and their humans. But, there is danger lurking there.
If this is your first time to care for a pet, visit the store first. Approach the dog or cat you’re interested in and see how your body reacts. Many people get allergies to fur as well as to their skin flakes (dander). The reaction may be as simple as having sneezing episodes or so severe that you have difficulty breathing. In some cases, both the eyes and nose are affected — non-stop sneezing with a runny nose plus tearing and itching around the eyes and nose. Some people eventually habituate, with the allergic reactions becoming less severe and disappearing. Others, however, have these allergies for life. So, rather than regretting your choice, research first. Maybe a “hypoallergenic” breed can work for you.
Some patients have a lovely connection with their pets and even share a bed with them. This is ok but you still have to be wary. When surprised, the animals can end up scratching you. Make sure they are well-trained so that accidents don’t occur.
Unfortunately, even with seemingly trained animals, injuries can still happen. I have had patients whose eyes were scratched by their pets. Some were “lucky” and only had skin abrasions. However, some were worse off, with their eyes getting punctured, needing surgery.
More serious than the claws are the animals’ sharp teeth. Puppies and kittens can playfully nip at your hand and fingers. Before you let them, make sure they’ve received their rabies vaccine. This infectious disease is fatal to humans and should not be taken lightly. If you’ve had them vaccinated, biting should still not be tolerated. What is “light” to your pet may be a serious physical injury to you. I’ve had a toddler get bitten by a dog on the cheek and eyelid because the dad was letting them play together. Thankfully, the injuries were repaired by suturing and the eye was intact.
Our pets deserve our love and attention. But, it is our responsibility as their owners to protect ourselves from them too. They don’t know what damage they are capable of but we do. We have to be mindful and set boundaries so that both pets and parents are happy, healthy and free of injuries.
The pandemic has definitely brought us closer to our pets. Many animal shelters have had their wards adopted by those feeling the isolation brought on by the lockdown. This is great for both the animals and their humans. But, there is danger lurking there.
If this is your first time to care for a pet, visit the store first. Approach the dog or cat you’re interested in and see how your body reacts. Many people get allergies to fur as well as to their skin flakes (dander). The reaction may be as simple as having sneezing episodes or so severe that you have difficulty breathing. In some cases, both the eyes and nose are affected — non-stop sneezing with a runny nose plus tearing and itching around the eyes and nose. Some people eventually habituate, with the allergic reactions becoming less severe and disappearing. Others, however, have these allergies for life. So, rather than regretting your choice, research first. Maybe a “hypoallergenic” breed can work for you.
Some patients have a lovely connection with their pets and even share a bed with them. This is ok but you still have to be wary. When surprised, the animals can end up scratching you. Make sure they are well-trained so that accidents don’t occur.
Unfortunately, even with seemingly trained animals, injuries can still happen. I have had patients whose eyes were scratched by their pets. Some were “lucky” and only had skin abrasions. However, some were worse off, with their eyes getting punctured, needing surgery.
More serious than the claws are the animals’ sharp teeth. Puppies and kittens can playfully nip at your hand and fingers. Before you let them, make sure they’ve received their rabies vaccine. This infectious disease is fatal to humans and should not be taken lightly. If you’ve had them vaccinated, biting should still not be tolerated. What is “light” to your pet may be a serious physical injury to you. I’ve had a toddler get bitten by a dog on the cheek and eyelid because the dad was letting them play together. Thankfully, the injuries were repaired by suturing and the eye was intact.
Our pets deserve our love and attention. But, it is our responsibility as their owners to protect ourselves from them too. They don’t know what damage they are capable of but we do. We have to be mindful and set boundaries so that both pets and parents are happy, healthy and free of injuries.
Margarita Bondoc-Hermosa
Margarita Bondoc-Hermosa is an ophthalmologist practising in Metro Manila and the Visayas. She can be reached here:
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