Did you know dogs can share diseases with humans, like ringworm, salmonellosis, and rabies? Protect your pet with effective flea and tick solutions like Simparica and Front Line Plus, available as topicals, pills, and collars.
You may not realize that you can catch something from your dog until it's too late. Many of these are rare and easily treatable with help from your vet.
There are also some diseases that can be passed by fleas and ticks. This is a case where the dog isn't directly passing along an illness but they can bring in parasites that can also cause you harm. It's recommended that you use flea and tick prevention to avoid infestation and potential illnesses like Lyme disease. Another reason is that fleas and ticks can also carry parasites like tapeworms and heartworm which can be passed along to humans as well.
Diseases Dogs Can Pass to Humans
These six diseases that your dog can pass to you can cause everything from mild things like sniffles to life-threatening illnesses such as death.
1. Rabies
Rabies is a viral disease that can be passed from dogs to humans. It affects the central nervous system and usually spreads through infected dogs' bites. If your dog bites you or another person, the rabies virus can enter your body through the open wound. People infected often get sick shortly after they are bitten and do not seek medical attention right away. Rabid dogs can be aggressive and may attack without warning or reason. You can protect yourself and your family by learning the symptoms of rabies and making sure your pets are vaccinated against it. The symptoms of rabies in humans include fever, chills, headaches, and soreness at the site of a bite.
2. Salmonella
Salmonella is a bacteria found in the intestines and feces of animals that can cause some pretty nasty foodborne illnesses in people. Salmonella is transmitted to dogs and humans through contact with feces or by eating undercooked meat. While it is rare, humans who have close contact with an infected dog can contract salmonellosis. If your pet has been infected with salmonella, they are most likely contagious. Symptoms may include fever, dehydration, and abdominal pain. They will appear in 1-3 days after contracting the bacteria. Death may result in people with weakened immune systems.
3. Brucellosis
Brucellosis is a bacterial disease that can be passed from dogs to humans through dog droppings, contact with infected bodily fluids, bites, and scratches, or inhaling the bacteria or virus. Once an infected animal is slaughtered, the disease can spread to other people through poor handling practices. Brucella can cause many symptoms in humans, but the most common is persistent high fever, muscle soreness, severe flu-like symptoms, long-term issues with the spleen or heart, and weakness. It is difficult to diagnose, which means it can take time for a vet to figure out what is causing your symptom. The good news is that it's easy to treat with antibiotics.
4. Campylobacter
Campylobacter is an infectious disease that affects dogs, humans, and other animals. It results from infection with Campylobacter bacteria. If a dog is infected with Campylobacter, this bacterium can be passed on to humans through their feces. It's most commonly found in raw or undercooked meat and unpasteurized dairy products, but it can also be found on infected food handlers' hands. Campylobacter is one of the most common causes of food poisoning in humans and even more so for people already ill or has a compromised immune system, such as newborns and the elderly. Like other types of food poisoning, symptoms including nausea, cramping, diarrhea, fever, and vomiting will usually appear 12-72 hours after being infected by Campylobacter. It is treated with antibiotics.
5. Noroviruses
The Noroviruses are a group of related diseases that attack the intestines, causing gastroenteritis. They are very contagious and easily spread from person to person or from animals to humans through water or food contaminated with human sewage, touching surfaces or objects contaminated with the virus, and contacting infected persons. It is prevalent for dogs to carry noroviruses in their digestive system. Dogs generally pass the condition through their stool. Noroviruses like to take advantage of places where people gather together, such as boarding schools, daycare centers, and other group settings. This highly contagious virus causes stomach flu, which can be very mild, but in some cases, can lead to severe dehydration and hospitalization.
6. Pasteurella
Pasteurella is a highly contagious bacterial disease that affects dogs. Found in dog mouths and throats and their other body parts. Pasteurella is transmitted to humans through bites or scratches and when dogs lick their wounds. A bite from a dog with Pasteurella can cause swelling around the wound site, joint pain and stiffness, difficulty breathing, and fever. The virus is typically spread through direct contact with other dogs. It causes lesions on the skin and inside the mouth, pneumonia, and kidney failure. Although this infection is usually mild in healthy people, pets may carry an aggressive strain of Pasteurella that can be fatal.
Conclusion
Dogs are fantastic pets, companions, and our best friends. The bond between humans and dogs has existed for thousands of years and will likely last thousands more. Since the relationship is so strong, we must never forget that dogs are animals. They can carry germs and diseases no matter how friendly they may seem.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional consultation or advice related to your health or finances. No reference to an identifiable individual or company is intended as an endorsement thereof. Some or all of this article may have been generated using artificial intelligence, and it may contain certain inaccuracies or unreliable information. Readers should not rely on this article for information and should consult with professionals for personal advice.