PETSMART CARESPets purchased at PetSmart are part of our exclusive Vet Assured™ program; a program designed by PetSmart veterinarians to help improve the health and well-being of our pets. The program includes:•Specificstandardsourvendorsagreeto meet in caring for and observing pets for common illnesses.•Specificstandardsforin-storepetcare.•ThePetSmartPromise:Ifyourpetbecomesill during the initial 14-day period, or if you’re not satisfied for any reason, PetSmart will gladly replace the pet or refund the purchase price.

For more information on zoonotic diseases visit:•www.petsandparasites.org•www.nasphv.org•www.cdc.gov

PetSmart® Care Guides were developed and approved by PetSmart veterinarians. For

more information on care, visit

petsmart.com/careguides

This Care Guide contains general information for the proper care of your pet, but is not

comprehensive. For more information, refer to the specific Care Guide for your pet.

UnderstandingZoonosis

©2011 PetSmart Store Support Group, Inc. All rights reserved. PETSMART & Bouncing Ball Designs and VET ASSURED are trademarks of PetSmart Store Support Group, Inc.

Did You Know? The term zoonosis applies to diseases including

bacteria, viruses and parasites that can be passed from pets to people. Good hygiene is the most

effective way to prevent the spread of illness between your family and your pets. Thorough

hand washing with soap and water after handling your pet or cleaning your

pet’s habitat is essential.

MSC606

THE BIG PICTURE

•Therearehundredsofdifferentzoonotic (animal spread) illnesses that have been around for centuries.•Allpetshavetheabilitytotransmitdisease to humans. •Childrenaremorefrequentlydiagnosed with zoonotic diseases. This is because of their tendencies to put objects in their mouths and not wash their hands effectively.•Properhygiene,withthoroughhandwashing being most important, prevents many diseases from being transmitted to people.•Bacteriaandotherzoonoticcontaminantscan come from multiple sources. Salmonella has been isolated from amphibians, reptiles and rodents. However, salmonella can also be contracted from handling eggs, poultry, beef, milk and vegetables.•Thejoysandbenefitsofresponsiblepet ownership often outweigh risks associated with living with a pet.

diseases animals can spread to hUmans

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Zoonotic Disease TypesZoonosis Basics

Deworming Your Pets •Itisnotuncommonforpetstohaveparasites, especially young puppies and kittens.

•Followtheadviceofyourveterinarianasitrelates to testing and deworming your pets.

•Dewormingmedicationscomeinavarietyof styles and some are easily given at home as a monthly preventative.

•Internalandexternalparasitesmayormaynot cause obvious signs of illness in your pet so if you notice diarrhea, decreased appetite or straining to pass stools, you should take your pet in for a veterinary exam.

Flea/Tick Control •Consultwithyourveterinarianonthebest option for your pet. Many monthly flea/tick control products are available over the counter and are highly effective.

•Applyingyear-roundflea/ticktopicaltreatments to your dogs and cats can greatly reduce flea and tick populations which decreases the likelihood of infestations or illness.

•Ifyourpethasfleasyouwillneedtotreatyour pet, the interior of your home and your yard.

Partner with Your Vet

Understanding Zoonosis •Thistermappliestoalldiseasesthatcanbe passed from pets to humans.

•Allpetshavethepotentialofspreading zoonotic diseases.

• Some zoonotic bacteria, viruses and parasites can be normal inhabitants of your pet’s digestive system and can be shed in fecal material. Human contact with fecal material can occur when handling your pet or their bedding, habitat, fooddishes,waterbottlesoraquariumwater.

•Somebacteria,virusesandparasitesthatare zoonotic do not cause disease in pets but can affect humans, so veterinary examinations and fecal testing are recommended to evaluate your pet’s health.

•Fleas,ticks,mitesandlicemayalsobetransferred from your pet to other family members.

Who’s at Risk? • Infants,youngchildren,pregnantwomenand the infirm or elderly are at greater risk of infection and should use extra caution when in contact with pets or pet habitats.

•Personswithahealthyimmunesystemareat lower risk for developing zoonotic diseases.

•Questionsregardingyourhealthshouldbe directed to your doctor.

•Questionsregardingyourpet’shealthshouldbe directed to your veterinarian.

Preventing Zoonosis •Petsshouldnotbehousedinkitchens.

•Petsshouldnotbeallowedontofood preparation areas.

•Petsshouldnotbebathedinkitchensinks.

•Outdoorhosesshouldbeusedtocleanpet habitats,aquariums,foodandwaterdishes.

•Alwayswashhandsthoroughlyafterhandling any pet, habitat or items within a habitat.

•Ananti-bacterialhandsanitizershouldbeused if soap and water are unavailable.

Safety Recommendations

CHLAMYDOPHILAPSITTACI“Psittacosis”

INTESTINAL BACTERIA(SALMONELLA, E COLI,CAMPYLOBACTER)

DISEASESelect Zoonotic Diseases

TYPE PETSAFFECTED

DIAGNOSIS

RINGWORM

PROTOZOA: (GIARDIA AND CRYPTOSPORIDIUM)WORMS: (TAPEWORMS, ROUNDWORMS, HOOKWORMS)

EXTERNAL PARASITESFLEAS, MITES AND LICE

BACTERIAL

BACTERIAL

FUNGAL

INTESTINALPARASITES

EXTERNALPARASITES

BIRDS

AMPHIBIANS,BIRDS, FISH,MAMMALS,

REPTILES

CATS, DOGS,GUINEA PIGS

MAMMALS AND REPTILES

MAMMALS

CULTURE,FECAL

TESTING

FECAL TESTING

FUNGAL CULTURE

FECAL TESTING

VISUAL EXAM

MYCOBACTERIUM“Fish Handler’s Disease”

BACTERIAL FISH CULTURE

Pets and Children •Therelationshipbetweenpetsandchildrenis special and can create life long memories.

•Childrenshouldalwaysbesupervised around pets.

•Childrenshouldbesupervisedastheywash their hands after interacting with your pet or the habitat.

•Childrenshouldnotbetheprimarycaregivers for pets and should not be solely responsible for cleaning habitats or picking up after pets.

•Donotallowchildrentokisspetsorputpets into their mouths.

•Avoidcontactwithpethabitatsifyouhavecuts or open sores on your hands.

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RELEASED

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FOLDER NAME:T5-MC1012_INF: CAREGUIDES

LOCATION:P5: -VISUAL MERCH: 2011 Care Guides

FILE FORMAT:InDesign CS4

DESCRIPTION:Concept of new Care Guide.

FINISH FLAT SIZE TRIM:11" W x 8.5" H

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DESIGNER:Chris Gnam • 11-11-10Chris Gnam • 12-2-10Doug Anderson • 5-04-11Amy Porter-Adams • 5 May 11 REL

INKS:CMYK

PHOTOGRAPHY:Yes

PRODUCTION NOTES:

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