Could our pets be making us sick?

Was talking to a few people just this past week, and what we discussed was kinda interesting and was just curious as to what people on here thought of this "theory".

It's a well known fact that pregnant woman can't clean a cats litter box. Inhaling the bacteria in the air around the litter box can kill the baby inside.

Which got us thinking, maybe once we (people with colitis), are in a flair, what can often prevent us from getting better or slow down the recovery process could be from being near our pets? Such as cleaning your cats litter box, or cleaning out your hamster or guinea pigs cage. It's easy to inhale different bacteria or pathogens in the air that are produced by these animals, and it could potentially be dangerous to our health. Especially if we're on different immune suppressors.

Personally, I own a small hobby/business where I breed animals and sell them to other breeders and pet stores. Specifically reptiles. So I'm always around them. Looking back, as my business started to expand, the UC got worse. Not to mention, I had to start breeding rats to feed that many animals, which could sometimes be 200+ depending on the time of the year.

Just curious as to what everyone's thoughts are on this topic? Thanks!

It's the pet itself. Cat's carry a parasite called Toxoplasma gondii, which gets released in their stool (and also in the air around the stool). Inhaling that parasite won't cause issues to people, but can kill the developing baby.

With our colon so compromised and sensitive as it is, I'm guessing it can be targeted in a similar manor? But who knows, just an idea that I thought would spark some interest!

Needless to say, I've moved all my animals out of the house and have hired someone else to care for them to see if that makes a difference. I have an appointment with my specialist tomorrow, pretty interested to see what she has to say.

Interesting but I think this is a big stretch.

It's also possible that allergies to pets could rev up our immune systems, causing UC'rs to fight a harder battle. Doubt it led to UC in the first place though.

I'm not saying that animals are what gave me UC. I just think that they could possibly be the issue of what's preventing me from making a full recovery.

I should also add, I'm not suggesting that owning a cat or dog can be an issue. I was referring this "theory" more towards people who work in a pet store, zoo keepers, people who work on a farm that deals with cleaning chickens/pigs or other animals, and people with just a lot of animals such as myself. In other words, people who spend several hours every week cleaning up animal poop :P

I had cat when I was first diagnosed...she was with me since I was 10 years old (btw, never changed her litter box while pregnant - hubby did that) and she died at the age of 24 (yes 24!). I already had UC for about 2 years when she passed. But since then because everyone in my house is severely allergic to cats I've never had one since.

However, I have had rats, Degus, gerbils, birds (still have them), turtles (still have them too) hamsters and dogs. I have always been in a flare to some extent...but I never correlated it to my animals. I know rats especially can carry diseases, even Fancy...so to me this is an interesting theory. I've always made sure my animal cages were clean, but it has always made me wonder what sort of things I inhale while cleaning their cages.

Poor animals? Sorry, but my health comes before anything else at this stage in the game. Reptiles have no emotional connection to me anyways. They're at another breeders house and are being well looked after for the time being.

Red_34: I agree. It is more so the rats I'm worried about, as they do have quite the smell to them. Not to mention I'd have a few hundred at any given time, and was constantly cleaning them.

pmedic...I agree totally!....posts like this can confuse the confused LOL!....no one really knows for sure what causes UC...

They could be, for some maybe, not in my case though, didn't have a pet for years before I got sick with my IBD and didn't get a cat until I was already sick for a few years so I don't fall in the category, but I'm sick of cleaning litter boxes for the last 20 yrs (one cat died at age 11 then shortly after we got another one that is 9 now) lol!

My Maine Coon had toxic megacolon when he was a kitten. Maybe I got him sick?
Seriously though, when anyone's immune system is compromised, they should avoid litter boxes and sick people.

I don't think it's a stupid question to ask at all. Humans have been infected by many animals in throughout time and in fact our evolution as humans has been changed by our close contact with animals we domesticated. Animals can indeed be carriers of disease/bacteria that infects humans.

Smallpox vaccine was discovered when a scientist discovered that milkmaids who got cowpox (mild disease) didn't get smallpox (killer disease). Native Americans were killed by smallpox that Europeans were immune to because of epigenetics (their ancestors built up genetic immunity).
It's possible we UC'ers do not have the immunity that other people have to the infectious UC element.

Since we don't know what causes UC then dog/cat transmission is a hypothesis until proven not associated. The OP needs to do some research because there must have been some on this topic, the pet connection is just too obvious (at least to me) not to have been done.

Pmedic: Your entire post was arguing 2 facts that I never even brought up. Not once did I say it was related it dogs, nor did I ever say pets are what cause colitis.

Eva Lou: Good thing I never threw any away, as I stated earlier they are being cared for at another breeders house for a month or so!

For those of you who actually took time to read my post and aren't arguing facts that I never brought up, thank you.

I'd just like to say once again that this is more directed at people with a lot of animals, zoo keepers, people who work on farms, and people with large numbers of animals in their homes. NOT people who have a couple dogs or cats or a few animals they spend 10 minutes a couple times a week cleaning. ALSO, I never once said it caused colitis. I just think that it could be a POSSIBILITY that with being on immune suppressors and being around exotic animals 10+ hours a week, theres definitely a possibility to catch something that could make it more difficult for people like me to get in remission.

Also, I never said this is a fact. Some of you are taking this way to seriously and getting your panties in a bunch over it thinking I'm telling everyone to get rid of their pets. It's just an idea that I would like to try. The only way I'll know is if I give it a shot. I've been so sick and unable to work a day job for the past 2 years, so at this point I'm exploring all options.

What pmedic said...also your TITLE is very telling....average Joe would think you were referring to cats and dogs, not rats and snakes as you now state!