Vet warns of hidden dangers at dog parks

Many viruses and parasites that affect both dogs and humans, such as rabies and leptospirosis — a bacteria-borne illness than can result in liver or kidney failure — may be lurking at dog parks, according to a veterinarian.

These germs could be found in the soil, water and even the air, said Dr. Susan Nelson, a clinical associate professor at Kansas State University’s Veterinary Health Center. “Many of these serious diseases can be fatal, even with treatment,” she said in a university news release.

Although dog parks provide four-legged friends with a place to socialize and play, Nelson cautioned that all dogs must be fully vaccinated before visiting one.

Other precautions people can take before going to a dog park include:

» Protect yourself and your dog against fleas and ticks before heading outside.

» Bring a water bowl to make sure your dog is well hydrated. However, dogs should not use a communal water dish.

» Use heartworm preventives to protect your dog against other intestinal parasites, such as roundworms, hookworms and whipworms.

» Pay attention to what your dog is doing at the dog park. Big dogs can seriously injure or even kill little dogs during a dogfight.

» Practice good hygiene. “When bringing kids with you to dog parks, do not let them run around barefoot,” Nelson said. “There is a higher parasitic egg count in the soil, many of which can cause disease in humans. Do not place babies or toddlers on the ground or let them play in the dirt. Good hygienic practices such as washing hands after playing with the dogs and when leaving the park are always a good idea. Also keep a bottle of antibacterial solution with you.” in the likelihood of moderate or high risk of suicide, according to researchers from the University of Pennsylvania.

“We were surprised by the strength of the association between sleep duration and suicide risk,” study author, Linden Oliver, clinical research coordinator for the university’s behavioral sleep medicine research program, said in a news release from the American Academy of Sleep Medicine.

The study is scheduled for presentation June 4 at the annual meeting of the Associated Professional Sleep Societies in Baltimore.

Roughly10 percent to15 percent of adults have an insomnia disorder with distress or daytime impairment, according to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine.