Although extremely rare,
the one frightening reality of owning a dog is that there
are a number of diseases that can cross the species barrier
from animal to human. In other words certain diseases can be
transmitted from a dog to a human. These diseases that can
be passed on from a dog to a human are known as zoonotic
diseases.
The first line of defense against zoonotic diseases is the
veterinarian. Should your dog take ill and you take your dog
to a vet for medical advice, he or she has the
responsibility of informing you that the disease is zoonotic.
He or she should advice you how to prevent the disease from
spreading from your dog to you. All the same, the
veterinarian cannot legally diagnosis a disease that you may
have caught from your pet. Also, he or she cannot help treat
the disease in a human. If you suspect you may have caught
the disease, it is important that you contact a doctor right
away.
The history of zoonotic diseases is thousands of years old.
Accounts have been recorded in the Bible and ancient Greek
writings mention the Plague, one of the deadliest zoonotic
diseases man has ever seen. In modern times, a number of
zoonotic diseases still exist. They include:
Rabies, a disease that attacks the nervous system. It is
passed from one mammal to another other through saliva, with
the most common method of transmission being from a bite. If
preventative action is not taken after being bit by an
animal with rabies, death will follow. All mammals can carry
rabies. Wild animals most commonly infected with rabies
include raccoons and bats. The best line of defense against
rabies is to have your dog’s rabies vaccination current.
Lyme disease, which is transmitted through the bite of a
deer tick. If the bacterium that causes Lyme disease is not
eradicated from the body, it establishes itself in the body
tissue and potentially causes a number of symptoms. Some
symptoms include pain and damage to the joints, the nervous
system, and damage to internal organs... Lyme disease is
most common in the northeast and upper-midwest in the United
States. While your dog cannot directly transmit Lyme disease
to you, it can bring infected ticks home causing the
potential hazard. Obviously, it is important to maintain
proper tick control on your dog to ensure you both remain
healthy.
Ringworm, which is a contagious fungus. It is most commonly
found on the scalp, the body, the nails, the feet, and the
groin area. It can be easily spread from a pet to a human by
touching the infected area on your pet. The red ring on the
skin usually makes it easy to identify ringworm. It can also
be spread if the infected area on your dog rubs against a
surface, such as bed linens, clothing, or furniture, and you
later touch the object. To prevent catching ringworm, be
sure to treat your dog immediately after noticing the
ringworm infection and keep the area covered.
Cryptosporidiosis : Cryptosporidiosis is caused by parasites
and causes diarrhea. After infecting your dog’s body, the
parasite lives in the intestine and gets passed out in the
stool. It has a protective outer shell, allowing it to
survive outside of the body for a period of time. It is also
resistant to chlorine-based disinfectants and can be passed
on to humans through contact. It can also be found in water,
such as in a pond or pool that you share with your dog.
If you are a pet owner, you are automatically at a higher
risk of catching zoonotic diseases than someone without a
pet. There are, however, certain factors that make you more
susceptible to catching one of these diseases. Infants and
small children, for example, are more prone to catching
zoonotic diseases because their immune system is immature
and because they have poorer hygiene habits. Pregnant women
and the elderly are also at a higher risk because their
immune systems are not as strong. Similarly, those with
HIV/AIDS or who are undergoing cancer therapy are at a
greater risk because their immune systems have been
compromised.
Although the chances of catching a zoonotic disease from
your pet is extremely rare, it is always best to take the
necessary precautions to prevent the transmission of the
disease. Handle your pet with gloves if it is suffering from
a zoonotic disease and be sure to keep a safe distance while
still treating your pet
