IF YOU FALL INTO THE DISEASE IT DOESN'T MEAN YOU HAVE TO GIVE UP ON YOUR PET
Keeping them with love has more benefits on health than risks.
HOME IS WHERE THE DOGS RUN TO GREET YOU
So, diseases that pass from animals to humans are known as zoonotic disease. They are mostly caused by harmful germs like viruses, bacteria, parasites, and fungi. These germs can cause illness in humans as well as in animals from mild to serious.
There are four principal means of preventing the spread of zoonotic disease:
- Parasite control
- Vaccination
- Sanitation method
- Behavior training to prevent bites and scratches
So how can these little pathogens can spread?
| Direct contact | Saliva, blood, urine ,mucous, feces other body fluids. |
| Indirect contact | Coming into contact with the area where animals live and roam. |
| Vector-borne | Bitten by tick, or insect. |
| Foodborne | Contaminated food. |
| Water borne | Drinking or coming contact with water that are contaminated. |
Humans that are at higher risk
- Pregnant women
- Children
- Immune-compromised people
- Having different health issues
- Elderly person above 65 years
So here are the most common question that is asked.?
Will I get sick from my dog if he licks me?
Dogs carry harmful germs so direct contact with secretions should be avoided and should follow best hygiene practices.
Can you catch diarrhea from dogs?
Different types of germs are found in the gastrointestinal tract like salmonellosis, campylobacter so they can be transmitted by contaminated food, water and should follow basic preventive measures in order to remain healthy.
Can I get rabies from a dog bite or scratch?
Human can get rabies from a bite or scratch, a virus that causes rabies is spread through saliva so dogs should be vaccinated against the rabies virus. If you encountered a rabid animal or stray animal, take additional precautions and veterinary care.
Can I get a cold from my dog?
Dog colds are not contagious to humans because of different strains but can spread to other dogs by saliva and aerosol droplets.
Why does my dog make me sneeze?
All dogs have allergens in their skin, saliva, and pee so no matter how long or short hair your dog has or what breed you have dogs can cause allergies.
Can a human get Ear mites from a dog?
There is always the risk of getting mites from dog and symptoms can vary from person to person that includes itchiness, redness around the ear, dark-colored ear wax , and ear irritation.
Here is the list of common zoonotic diseases in dogs
If you fall into one of these categories it does not mean you have to give up your pet
- Ringworm
- It is a fungal infection and causes flaky skin, reddish, and swelling in humans
- It is directly passed by an infected animal, object or direct contact.
- Brucellosis
- This is a bacterial disease that causes flu-like symptoms in humans.
- Salmonellosis
- It has zoonotic significance and causes food poisoning in humans and leads to bowel inflammation, abdominal pain, tiredness, in appetence, and dehydration.
- Leptospirosis
- This is the bacterial infection spread by the urine of the infected dog.
- This is called as Weil disease in people and can cause serious liver and kidney disease.
- Lyme disease
- This a bacterial disease that causes bull eye rash with fever, headache, and muscle or joint pain in humans.
- Campylobacter infection
- This bacteria is considered as the most common form of food poisoning in humans and is mostly transmitted by undercooked food that is contaminated with different secretions.
- Symptoms are nonspecific that include abdominal pain, dehydration, in appetence, general weakness, and tiredness.
- E.coli
- These bacteria are ubiquitous in the environment and are present everywhere.
- Symptoms in human depends on the tissue affected and mostly leads to bloody diarrhea, shivering, and appetence.
- Capnocytophaga
- This is a germ that causes serious infections in humans and may lead to severe sepsis and meningitis.
- Toxocariasis
- It is a parasitic disease that is transmitted from larvae of Toxocara roundworms and causes shortness of breath, abdominal pain, and itching.
- Giardia infection
- This is the most common cause of nonbacterial diarrhea and is usually caused by parasite giardia.
- It is transmitted through contaminated
- The most common signs in dogs and humans are diarrhea that can be acute, intermittent, or chronic.
- Cryptosporidium infection
- This is an infection of the gastrointestinal system that is usually caused by the parasite named Cryptosporidium Parvum.
- Symptoms include watery diarrhea, fever, abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting.
- This is usually found in people that have direct contact with cats and dogs usually with pet waste so always contact with physician and veterinarian before concluding
- Hookworms/Roundworms
- No parasite should be lightly taken and has great zoonotic importance
- They can invade various organs and may lead to cysts formation along with eye damage
- Scabies or mange
- This is highly zoonotic and can be passed from dogs to humans and may include skin irritation, hair loss, and itching
- Norovirus
- It causes an extreme type of gastroenteritis in humans and can affect humans of all ages. so for confirmatory diagnosis virus can be detected in the feces of an infected animal.
- Rabies
- Dogs are the major reservoir of rabies infection and their incubation period varies from 4 years to several years.
- Symptoms include anxiety, confusion, hallucination, and extreme hydrophobia.
Other than this Coxiella burnetti, Bordetella bronchospetica ,Staphylococcus are the most common bacterial and viral disease transmitted to dogs by human
Staying safe tips
- Always wash your hands after touching your dog even if you own it with antibacterial preparations.
- Avoid bites and scratches from dogs.
- Learn more about food safety not only for yourself but also for your dogs to avoid the spread of diseases.
- Make sure to be vigilant about your pet, the earlier the disease is diagnosed there will be fewer chances of spread.
- Don’t sleep with your dogs to avoid direct contact.
- Don’t share your food with dogs as licking me leads to different diseases.
- Always avoid prolonged contact with other dogs or unvaccinated dogs.
- Bathe and groom your dog regularly and this will help to eliminate skin infections.
- Deworming should be done regularly and vaccination records should be properly maintained.
- Disinfect the playing area and bedding regularly.
- Food and water dishes should be washed separately.
- Use flea and tick control products regularly.
- Always wear gloves when handling waste.
- Regular visits to the veterinarian will help to identify health problems.
- Always avoid direct kisses as they may lead to the problem.
- Get rid of carpets and rugs because hairs can get stuck in them.
- Scoop the poop regularly.
- Raw meat and eggs should not be fed to dog due to higher rate of infection susceptibility
Conclusion
KNOWLEDGE AND PREVENTION CAN TURN YOU AND YOUR PET IN GOOD HEALTH.