Malaysia Veterinary Forum (Archive)

Beanie · Joined: 23 May 2007 Posts: 36

Just wondering... Is it safe to sleep with dogs on the same bed? Will there be any side effects?

gus-gus · Joined: 03 Jul 2007 Posts: 34

Sleeping with your dog in your bed is not hygienic since you don't know where your dog has been or what your dog has stepped in. They also shed hair and dead skin on your bed sheets and when you are lying down these are likely to enter your respiratory tract and cause/ aggravate allergies.
However, that being said, despite knowing the health risks, I can't imagine not having my dogs in my bed with me. Blame my parents - they brought me up accustomed to having our dogs in our beds with us.

Beanie · Joined: 23 May 2007 Posts: 36

Oh dang... But my pooch begs to be on the bed with me and I can't resist her. :?

Anyway, she is a purely indoor dog... Will that make a difference?

Dr Nat · Joined: 07 Dec 2005 Posts: 1834 Location: Klang Valley

As Gus mentioned, dander is one problem when you sleep with your pet. But then again, dander will still be around the house.

If you intend to keep her close to you, you need to pay attention to your hygiene. Such as washing your hands before you touch your face, before you prepare food and before eating. Since she's purely indoors, at least you know what she has been stepping on. Just keep her clean.

Also, dont neglect the vaccinations, deworming and annual check ups. Plus, do get yourself and your family dewormed once a while too. :)

Beanie · Joined: 23 May 2007 Posts: 36

Thanks for the advice, Dr Nat.

I have just one question though... How do humans get dewormed?

siong · Joined: 30 Jun 2007 Posts: 33

Beanie wrote: Thanks for the advice, Dr Nat.

I have just one question though... How do humans get dewormed?
i also wonder humans get deworded also?
eat tablets too?

gus-gus · Joined: 03 Jul 2007 Posts: 34

Yes - humans need to get dewormed too and just as regularly as dogs and cats.
You can go to the pharmacist and ask for a deworming tablet. The medication used to be conbantrim but I'm sure things have moved on and there is something better on the market now.
Humans can get worms from eating undercooked meat or even from one person passing something like a pencil to another person.
That is why it is so important to wash your hands.

Dr Nat · Joined: 07 Dec 2005 Posts: 1834 Location: Klang Valley

Many worms get passed through what we call the "feacal-oral route". That means the eggs of the worms will pass through with the faeces of the originator, and to infect another person, that person has to ingest the eggs/worms. That means, you have to pay attention to hygiene a lot. Wash your hands when you go to the bathroom and before you eat or prepare food.

There are other ways for different worms and parasite to infect people (and animals) as well, such as eating undercooked meat or unwashed vegetables. Hook worms can penetrate through skin, if you are walking barefoot over the area where the worms are shed.

Anyway, instead of getting overparanoid, you should use common sense. If you are not feeling well in anyway, go see a doctor as soon as possible. And it doesn't hurt to fork out a few bucks to get some dewormer from a pharmacy every now and then.