Here is a link to a good basic explanation of zoonotics and how they are transmitted. http://www.mpvhospital.com/zoonotic-infections-%E2%80%93-how-your-pets-can-make-you-sick/
Raccoon roundworm is indeed transmitted by fecal-oral..but remember, the eggs are so small that you need a microscope. They can live for years in the soil..so doing a little gardening that a raccoon once used the soil as a toilet..small amount of dirt under the fingers..fingers in your mouth or nose (think kids here) without completely scrubbing your hands...
The barefoot comment should have been directed at hookworm. That burrows up through your skin. By way of barefeet, etc.
Influenza is one vaccine that we require before boarding or grooming at work. It does not prevent it, much like our human flu vaccine, but it keeps it from becoming severe if they do contract it. I recommend it.
Some lyme protection is better than no protection. Id recommend that you also use something to kill the ticks like Frontline Plus or Trifectis. Just remember that nothing prevents a tick from biting, thats where the Lyme vaccine comes in- that way if they do get bit by a tick, at least they have some protection against SOME of the strains of Lyme.
Originally Posted by
swampducks 
Is there a vaccine for that yet and is it any good? My vet hasn't suggested giving one to my dogs but as I'll be there for their heart worm tests this week, I'm interested to know. My dogs already get the lyme vaccine, I know it's not necessarily all that effective (I believe they dumped the one for humans?) but as I sometimes head to MA with my pups on vacation I want as much help as I can get. My sister lives in MA and her last dog got Lyme's even though she was vaccinated yearly.
I had never heard of this so I asked DH because he regularly traps raccoons. He has heard of it but claims it's pretty hard to contract unless you eat raccoon poop. Obviously, he doesn't know everything if you're talking about handling soil and walking barefoot. So how does it get into your system? And can dogs get this?
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Originally Posted by
Mom 2em All Raccoon roundworm is something to consider. If you garden, walk barefoot, handle soil. Raccoon roundworm infects humans eyes. Can make you go blind. If you handle dead raccoons, or have raccoons on your property, you are at risk.
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Originally Posted by
swampducks Dang it, lost a chick! Looks like an accident. The brooder has 1/2 hardware cloth for a floor, found her looking a little flat with one foot inside and below a square. I think she panicked, the rest panicked and she got trampled then sat on. It was close to the center bulb in the brooder. There's a bunch sitting on that same spot. They aren't cold, got a thermometer in the corner farthest from the light and it reads 85 there. No pig piling. sigh. Never had that happen before. No sign of any other problem, eyes clear, nostrils dry, no pasty butt, felt a little thin maybe but they're only 6 days old. Only 25 left, only had to clean 2 pasty butts this morning, no sign of any others.
Sorry for your chick loss, swampducks.
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Originally Posted by
RaZ Well that was interesting.
I went out the garage/coop to check on the chicks. I hear the distinct flapping of feathers against the window. I figured it was one of the uggos who went over the wall and couldn't figure out how to get back.
Imagine my surprise when Gary the hawk came out from behind the curtains. So I opened the garage door and out he flew. Next was a beak count. Gary's Oester dinner was one of the SLW chicks. The only thing left was the feet.
That hawk must have figured out how to enter through the hen-hole, cross beneath the work bench and select from the menu. With all of the wind I didn't hear a thing.
Did he at least get the one you thought was a roo? Sorry for your loss, RaZ. Very crafty hawk there.
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Originally Posted by
sarah92480
Is that what you're doing? lol
No. RaZ is just mean to me...lol.
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Originally Posted by
Hillbilly Hen
Very adorable, HH!!!
very funny! I've told DH I don't want to waste my time hunting predators, but if they come around I won't hesitate to shoot them... no matter when or what they are interrupting.
Sorry for your loss RaZ.
