Zoonotic Diseases & Dogs
A zoonotic disease is a disease that can be passed from animals to humans. Following are some related to dogs. It is important to remember that the best way to protect yourself from these zoonotic diseases is to practice good hygiene after playing with your dog or handling its waste. Wash your hands thoroughly with hot, soapy water. Take your dog to your veterinarian for regular check-ups, and if your dog exhibits any of the symptoms of these diseases. In the vast majority of cases, these diseases are treatable:
Cryptosporidium: Cryptosporidosis is a parasitic disease that causes a mild to severe infection of the gastrointestinal system, including watery diarrhea, fever, abdominal cramps, nausea, and vomiting. Most people get cryptosporidosis from contaminated food or water, but exhibit caution with pet waste. If you develop symptoms, contact your physician. Be sure to inform him or her of your pet and if it is ill. If your dog has diarrhea, take it to your veterinarian.
Giardia: Giardiasis is the most frequent cause of nonbacterial diarrhea in North America and the most commonly diagnosed intestinal parasite in humans. It is transmitted most frequently through contaminated water. Dog owners with positive animals should consider having their own water tested. The most common sign of giardiasis in dogs is diarrhea, which can be acute, chronic, or intermittent.
Leptospirosis: Leptospirosis is a bacterial disease spread through the urine of infected animals. In people, the symptoms are often flu-like. The risk of getting leptospirosis through common contact with a dog is low; the primary mode of transmission is through contact with contaminated animal tissues, organs, or urine. Common symptoms in dogs include fever, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, refusal to eat, severe weakness and depression, stiffness, severe muscle pain, or inability to have puppies. Leptospirosis can be treated with antibiotics. To help prevent leptospirosis in your pet, keep rodents under control and vaccinate your dog. The vaccine does not provide 100% protection due to the many strains of leptospirosis.
Lyme Disease: Lyme disease is a bacterial disease that can cause a "bull's-eye" rash with fever, headache, and muscle or joint pain. If you are in an area where there are ticks, such as the woods, wear light-colored clothing so that ticks can be spotted more easily and removed before becoming attached, wear long-sleeved shirts, and tuck your pants into socks. Insect repellants containing DEET and permethrin can be effective. After hikes or other outdoor activities in high-risk areas, inspect yourself and your dog for ticks and remove them promptly, and be sure to treat your pet on an ongoing basis with a flea and tick prevention medication. Read more about Lyme disease and your dog here.
Rabies: Rabies is a disease caused by the rabies virus. A recent increase in the number of rabid bats in Oregon is a good reminder to protect your pets from this disease by making sure their vaccinations are up to date. Early symptoms can be fever or headache, but this quickly leads to nervous system problems, such as confusion, sleepiness, or agitation. Once someone with rabies infection starts having these symptoms, he or she usually does not survive, so it is very important to talk to your health care provider right away if any animal bites you, especially a wild animal. Most household pets, including dogs, are vaccinated, but because there is a chance of contracting rabies from a dog bite, you should always contact your doctor for care. Oregon law requires all dogs in the state to be vaccinated against rabies.
Ringworm: Ringworm is not a worm, but a skin and scalp disease caused by fungus. Ringworm usually makes a bald patch of scaly skin or a ring-shaped rash that is reddish and may be itchy. The rash can be dry and scaly or wet and crusty. Ringworm is transmitted by direct contact with an infected animal's skin or hair. Dogs, especially puppies, can pass ringworm to people, so preventative care by your veterinarian is important.
Roundworm: Toxocara is a parasitic infection caused by roundworms commonly found in the intestines of dogs and puppies and shed through their stool. Toxocara infections can cause an eye disease that can cause blindness, or swelling of the body's organs or central nervous system, although most infections are not serious. Have your veterinarian treat your dog or puppy regularly for worms, wash your hands after playing with your dog, and do not let children play in areas soiled with pet waste.
If you have any questions about these diseases or concerns about your pet's health, please consult your veterinarian. If you have concerns about your health, please seek medical attention from your health care provider.