New York City is in the midst of two human infectious disease outbreaks: Legionnaires’ disease and cyclosporiasis. Both have been in the news recently, and both raise an understandable question for pet families: Could my dog or cat be at risk, too?
Here’s what these diseases are, how they spread and what they may — or may not — mean for your pets.
What is Legionnaires’ Disease?
Legionnaires’ disease is a serious type of pneumonia caused by Legionella bacteria.
The name comes from the original outbreak, first identified in attendees of a 1976 three-day convention of the American Legion. The source of that outbreak was the cooling system of the host hotel. Attendees contracted Legionnaires’ disease when they inhaled air containing the bacteria.
Legionella is a water-borne bacteria, and sources of infection includes showerheads and sink faucets, hot tubs, decorative fountains and water features, large complex plumbing systems and cooling towers.
Since New York City has many buildings with cooling towers on top of them, they are a prime suspect in the current cluster of cases which is concentrated on the Upper East Side, just north of the Schwarzman Animal Medical Center. The reassuring news for New Yorkers is that your home air conditioning unit is not a concern as they cool your home without the water used by cooling towers.
Can Pets Get Legionnaires’ disease?
Since pets share our environment, including air conditioning, pet owners might be worried for themselves AND their pet. The good news is that the Legionella bacteria does not seem to affect pets. However, pets can develop pneumonia from other causes. Any change in your pet’s breathing should prompt a visit to your veterinarian. Watch for labored breathing, rapid breathing, coughing, lethargy, poor appetite or breathing with the mouth open, especially in cats.
What is Cyclosporiasis?
Cyclosporiasis is an intestinal infection caused by the microscopic parasite Cyclospora cayetanensis. People become infected by ingesting food or water that has been contaminated with Cyclospora oocysts.
Recent data suggests the current outbreak in New York City is part of a broader, statewide outbreak. There has also been a nationwide uptick in cyclosporiasis cases, with multiple states reporting infections. In past outbreaks, cyclosporiasis has been linked to consumption of fresh produce, but the precise source of Cyclospora organisms is not always known.
Can Dogs or Cats Get Cyclosporiasis?
Since our pets sit patiently by the kitchen counter waiting for a blueberry or piece of watermelon, they share our food as well as our air. So once again, pet owners might be worried about themselves AND their pets.
I could find no evidence that cats can develop cyclosporiasis. However, dogs have been reported to shed the oocytes in their stool, although it is rare. The bottom line: it is highly unlikely that your pet will develop cyclosporiasis.
Still, prevention focuses on good food hygiene. Wash fruits and vegetables before eating, and refrigerate cut or peeled fruits and vegetables promptly. Cooking food to 158°F (70°C) or higher kills Cyclospora.
Dogs and cats often get diarrhea, and diarrhea is the typical clinical sign seen with intestinal parasites, like cyclosporiasis, as well as many other gastrointestinal diseases. If your pet has severe diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, a trip to the animal ER is in order.
Resources for Pet Owners
The Centers for Disease Control has a great webpage on preventing cyclosporiasis, and their suggestions will help prevent the intestinal infection in both people and pets.
If you are worried about pneumonia in your pet, AMC’s Usdan Institute for Animal Health Education has two videos on how to count your pet’s breathing at home:
How to count your dog’s breathing rate
How to count your cat’s breathing rate
Breathing rate increases can be an early clue that something is wrong, including pneumonia, heart disease or another respiratory problem. When in doubt, call your veterinarian.