Zoonotic Diseases in Dogs and How to Prevent Them

Zoonotic diseases or infections are those that can be transmitted between different species. In other words, diseases that a vertebrate animal can naturally transmit to a human being. Out of the 1,415 known human pathogens, 61% are of zoonotic origin. Pathogens can be bacterial, viral, fungal and parasitic.

There are two types of zoonosis:

• Direct zoonosis consists of those diseases which are directly spread from animal to animal, or even from animal to human being, through air (influenza) or bites or saliva (rabies).

• Indirect zoonoses is that which can be transmitted by a so-called vector, which is usually an intermediate animal that carries the disease pathogen.

Yes you can. Although not common, dogs can suffer from zoonotic diseases or infections that can transmit to other pets or even their companions.

Domestic animals including dogs, cats, birds, cows, sheep, horses, goats, and rabbits can potentially spread diseases to humans. However, this rarely actually occurs as it is not very common for animals to transmit their diseases to the humans around them. This is especially true if pet companions exercise basic hygiene principles, such as hand washing. We will dive deeper into the preventatives measures you can take in a section below.

Don't forget to check out our video below about zoonotic diseases in dogs.

The most common zoonotic diseases in dogs are the following:

• Ringworm
• Salmonellosis
• Leptospirosis
• Lyme disease
• Campylobacter infection
• Giardia infection
• Cryptosporidium infection
• Roundworms
• Hookworms
• Tapeworms
• Scabies
• Harvest mites
• Rabies

As we've previously mentioned, it is not common for human companions to get diseases from their dog. In fact, current evidence supports the fact that pet dogs pose a minimal zoonotic risk to their human companions. With that being said, there are certain people that have a slightly higher risk of getting infect due to a compromised immune system from another disease or medication, such as:

• Individuals with AIDS/HIV.
• Individuals on chemotherapy or receiving radiation therapy.
• Elderly individuals.
• Individuals that have chronic diseases.
• Individuals with congenital immune deficiencies.
• Individuals who have received organ or bone marrow transplants.

If you fall into one of these categories, it doesn't mean you cannot care for an animal, nor that you need to give your pet away. It simply means that you will need to take extra precautions to ensure that both you and your dog are safe and healthy. You can do this by making sure you are going for your regular check-ups at the doctor's and that your dog is taken to their regular check-ups at their trusted veterinarian. You will also need to avoid direct contact with your dog's feces or urine.

It is also important to keep in mind all the studies that demonstrate the benefits of having a pet far outweigh the risks. You will simply need to make sure basic hygiene in your home is maintained and that everyone is up to date with their health care check-ups.

Here are some simple hygiene precautions you can take to drastically reduce the risk of zoonotic spread with your dog:

• Take your dog to the veterinarian for regular check-ups.
• Take your dog to the veterinarian if they are experiencing any abnormalities.
• Bathe and groom your dog regularly to keep up with their coat care and hygiene.
• Keep up with your dog's deworming and vaccination schedule.
• Dispose of all your dog's feces by scooping it and throwing it in the trash with a plastic bag while you wear latex gloves.
• Use latex gloves when working in your yard or garden as your dog may have urinated there.
• Do not allow children to contact your pets feces or urine.
• Wash your hands after handling your pet.
• Provide separate food and water dishes for your dog. Wash and store them separately form your family's dishes.
• Wash your dog's bedding frequently.
• Use flea and tick control products on a routine basis. Ask your veterinarian for more information.

Watch our video below about the most common signs that you dog is sick. This way, you'll be able to detect any abnormalities in your dog and get them to the veterinarian to get properly diagnosed and treated as quickly as possible.

This article is purely informative. AnimalWised does not have the authority to prescribe any veterinary treatment or create a diagnosis. We invite you to take your pet to the veterinarian if they are suffering from any condition or pain.

If you want to read similar articles to Zoonotic Diseases in Dogs and How to Prevent Them, we recommend you visit our Other health problems category.