“`html Zoonotic diseases is a term used to describe infections or diseases that can be transmitted from animals to humans. Diseases that are common between humans and livestock can be caused by viruses, bacteria, parasites, and fungi. Humans can become infected with zoonotic diseases through contact with animals, bodily fluids, contaminated waste, or their environment, or through vectors – such as infected animals (like mosquitoes, fleas, or ticks). In total, more than 100 diseases can be transmitted from animals to humans. In fact, all domestic animals, including dogs, cats, birds, horses, cattle, sheep, goats, and rabbits can potentially transmit diseases to humans. However, if pet owners adhere to basic hygiene principles, especially hand washing, many of these potential diseases can be prevented.
Risk of zoonotic diseases from dogs
Current evidence supports the fact that pet dogs pose the least risk of zoonotic diseases to their human companions. The risk may be slightly higher in individuals with weakened immune systems, such as:
- People with AIDS/HIV
- Those undergoing chemotherapy or radiation therapy
- Older adults or those with chronic illnesses
- Individuals with congenital immunodeficiencies
- Those who have received organ or bone marrow transplants
- Pregnant individuals (the immune system of the fetus has not fully developed, and the immune system of the pregnant individual changes during pregnancy)
If you fall into one of these categories, it does not mean you should get rid of your pet. It means you should take certain precautions, such as monitoring your dog for signs of illness, washing your hands after handling your dog, and avoiding direct contact with the dog’s feces or urine.
The most common zoonotic diseases in dogs
The most common zoonotic diseases include:
- Dermatophytosis
- Salmonellosis
- Leptospirosis
- Campylobacter infection
- Giardiasis
- Cryptosporidiosis
- Roundworms
- Hookworms
- Tapeworms
- Scabies
- Rabies
The most serious zoonotic diseases
Zoonotic diseases that can cause serious illnesses in individuals include:
- Rabies, caused by a virus, is almost always fatal in humans.
- Some infectious organisms like the bacterium Salmonella and Campylobacter, and the protozoan Giardia, can cause severe gastroenteritis.
- Leptospirosis, known in humans as Weil’s disease, can cause very serious liver and kidney disease. This disease is transmitted through the urine of infected animals. Transmission from dogs to humans is rare. Humans usually contract this disease through exposure to water contaminated with the urine of wild animals.
- Roundworms, hookworms, and tapeworms (species Echinococcus) can cause issues due to their larval stages in our bodies, but human disease is rare. Direct contact with the feces of infected dogs containing eggs can potentially cause infection in a susceptible individual. The larvae of roundworms and hookworms can lead to a condition known as larval migration where larvae migrate through various body tissues causing inflammation.
- Tape worm infections Echinococcus . Exposure to the eggs of this tapeworm can lead to the formation of destructive cysts (hydatid cysts) in the liver and other parts of the human body.
- Ringworm, which is caused by a fungus, and scabies, caused by mites, can relatively easily be transmitted to humans through direct physical contact. These skin diseases, common between humans and livestock, can lead to itchy skin lesions and scaling.
How to reduce the risk of zoonotic diseases between humans and dogs?
Simple hygiene practices and exercising common sense significantly reduce the risk of disease transmission from dogs to humans. Some steps you can take include:
- Ensure that any signs of illness in your dog are promptly diagnosed and treated by a veterinarian. If your dog is sick, make sure to wash your hands after handling them.
- Complete of dog vaccinations.
- Groom your dog. This increases the chance of early detection of any skin lesions.
- Regularly give your dog a broad-spectrum deworming product. The simplest way to do this is to use a monthly heartworm product that includes a dewormer.
- Wear gloves when gardening or working in areas where dogs, cats, or other animals may have urinated or defecated.
- Clean up any feces in your home, and when taking your dog for a walk, clean up any feces on the sidewalk.
- Do not allow your children to come into contact with pet feces or with pets that have come into contact with your children’s feces.
- Always wash your hands after handling any animals.
- Provide separate food and water bowls for your dog and wash and store them separately from those of the family.
- Regularly wash pet bedding.
- Use control products… “`
- Use tick and flea control products, preferably those that also control skin mites.
- If you or any family members have a weakened immune system, ask your veterinarian if additional precautions are necessary.
Following these simple precautions ensures that you have done everything to reduce the risk for yourself and your family.
Can I transmit disease to my dog?
Humans can also transmit some of their diseases to dogs. Common examples include specific viral respiratory infections, tuberculosis, ringworm, MRSA bacteria, and fleas. Additionally, gastroenteritis caused by Campylobacter and Salmonella infections can be transmitted from a family member to a dog. Like humans, dogs with weak immune systems are at greater risk.
While technically zoonotic diseases are transmitted from dogs to humans, there are several vector-borne diseases that can also be transmitted to both dogs and humans. Examples include Lyme disease and babesiosis transmitted by ticks and leishmaniasis transmitted by sandflies. Ticks, fleas, mosquitoes, and flies are all considered potential vectors. Many diseases are region-specific and have a higher prevalence in tropical climates, but this can change over time due to climate change and other factors.
If you are concerned about zoonotic diseases between humans and dogs or have questions about your or your pet’s health, you can contact the Central Veterinary Hospital and benefit from the guidance of our colleagues.
Sources: vcahospitals.com, pawsintraining.com, dogsforgood.org
