Pets give
us love and unconditional support when we feel alone. There is no chance that
those tiny creatures can actually caused us feeling sad in any way… right?
A research
directed by Doctor Teodor Postolache, psychiatrist who works in the University
of Marylan in the school of medicine, has showed that the Toxoplasma gondii
parasite can cause deep depression and suicide. Of course, the research hasn’t
finished yet, scientist keep on finding connections between people who is
affected by this parasite and mental diseases.
Suicide is
almost one of the most common death causes nowadays, finding out that women who
are infected are one and half times more likely to commit suicide.
T. gondii
can be found in none-cleaned vegetables, or chicken, but it’s specially
presented in our kitty’s litter. This bacterium
gets hided in our muscles and brain, causing no symptoms. About a third of the
women this research tested (45.000 were the total) was found infected by this
parasite.
The
infection itself it’s called toxoplasmosis, and it’s also associated to schizophrenia
or changes in the behavior.
Therefore,
our cats can cause depression if we are not careful enough when we take care of
their “restrooms”. Personally, I have three cats and keep them clean is
essential to stay away from all this kind of infections we are exposed when we
have animals.
Do you have
pets? Do you agree with the idea of a careful owner won’t have any problems? Would
you pay more attention to your vegetables and chicken the next time you clean
them?
(source: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/science/science-news/9371006/Cat-ladies-more-likely-to-commit-suicide-scientists-claim.html)
(source: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/science/science-news/9371006/Cat-ladies-more-likely-to-commit-suicide-scientists-claim.html)
I heard about this kind of infection once, but i wasn't completely sure how it worked, i'm glad you clarify it. I totally agree about the fact that if you are a careful owner you shouldn't have much problems, people usually have pets, but they only care about feeding them, they're not aware that pets need as much care as humans. People have to learn to be responsible and treat them as any other member of the family so you will be able to avoid any complications for them and for you.
ReplyDeleteLoved the topic of your entry, because I didn't know it! I really love cats, for they are cute and independents—they also have such a mysterious way to behave that I consider very attractive to see and analyze. When reading your entry, I couldn’t avoid remembering the two female cats I had when I was a teenager…they are not with me anymore, but I always remember them…
ReplyDeleteRegarding the topic you exposed, I found another kind of parasite that could be transmitted to humans. Dermatophytosis or Ringworm is a clinical condition caused by microorganisms of cats and other domesticated animals that affect the human’s skin—this is a kind of fungus that grows without typical features like a distinctive raised border.
WOw! I had no idea that pets could be so dangerous! I had heard that they might prompt allergies but not cause depression or even worst, death!
ReplyDeleteI have never had cats, actually I do not like them, but I love dogs! Anyway, I guess that any pet you have, you should be responsible for it since you made the decision of having them. If you are careful and take care of them there shouldn't be problems since according to what you said, cleaning is the key. The same goes to chicken and vegetables; we have to wash them carefully in order to do not expose ourselves and our families to such awkward problems.
I knew that keeping our pets is essential for our health, but I did not know that they can transmit so strong diseases, or even more that they can make us to commit suicide.
ReplyDeleteIn my case, I had a pet called Pelusa. It was a white and small dog. My grandmother always took care of it (I am referring to the past because my dog died). We have to clean it lot of times a week, because it got dirty easily. When we took it to the veterinarian, she told us that it was a very old dog and that we have to kill it because it can be dangerous for us. I did not know for what reason, but now thanks to your post I know. Thank you, Lau.