Your furry friend may be your companion, but pet owners still risk contracting diseases from them if they don’t pay attention to health protection. Let’s explore 12 dangerous dog-to-human transmitted diseases that you should be aware of!
12 Dangerous Diseases Transmitted from Dogs to Humans
Rabies
Rabies is a disease transmitted from a dog’s saliva to humans through bites or scratches. It’s highly dangerous, attacking the nervous system and causing rapid death if not vaccinated in time.
Immediately after being bitten, scratched, or licked by a dog, the victim should seek medical attention for rabies vaccination. Untreated, symptoms may initially include high fever, headache, and progress to seizures, fear of light, fear of water, paralysis, and death.
Hookworm Infection
Hookworm is a type of parasite found in a dog’s urine of infected dogs. Symptoms in infected dogs may include fever, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, and lethargy. In humans, symptoms include persistent high fever, rash, headache, fatigue, muscle pain, vomiting, and diarrhea. If left untreated, humans are at risk of meningitis, kidney failure, or even death.
To prevent infection, pet owners should have their pets vaccinated and avoid contact with contaminated water or suspiciously infected dogs.
Roundworm Infection
Roundworms are parasitic worms living inside a dog’s body. For dogs aged 3-5 months, regular deworming every 3 months is recommended to prevent roundworms and roundworm eggs.
Roundworms are equally dangerous for dogs and humans. Infected individuals may experience chest pain, difficulty breathing, diarrhea, blood in the stool, etc. Therefore, regular deworming for your furry friends and avoiding sharing items with them is crucial for disease prevention.
Whipworm Infection
Similar to roundworms, whipworms are parasites that live in a dog’s intestines. This parasite easily spreads to humans through dog feces. Infected dogs often suffer from diarrhea, bloody stool, rapid weight loss, and may die without timely treatment.
In humans, symptoms are similar to the flu, rash, and notably, red, winding lines where parasite larvae are visible under the skin. When these symptoms appear, immediate medical attention is necessary.
Tapeworm Infection
Tapeworm infection is transmitted to humans through consuming contaminated or undercooked food or from infected dogs. The only way to prevent tapeworm infection is by eating thoroughly cooked food, frequently washing hands, and avoiding contact with infected dogs.
Symptoms of tapeworm infection in dogs include diarrhea, loss of appetite, vomiting, and long tapeworm segments in vomit or dog feces. In humans, tapeworm infection causes symptoms such as headaches, high fever, anorexia, abdominal pain, and even seizures and death.
Leptospirosis
Leptospirosis is a disease caused by bacteria found in the urine and feces of infected animals, affecting both human and animal health severely. Owners should vaccinate their dogs as they often come into contact with disease-causing animals and contaminated areas.
The disease doesn’t always show symptoms, but when it progresses, it can cause high fever, inability to move, joint stiffness, etc., and lead to death.
Ringworm
Ringworm is a fungal infection that develops on hair follicles and is transmitted directly from dogs to humans. To prevent this disease, owners should regularly clean and disinfect their dog’s resting area and bathe them weekly to limit bacterial invasion.
In dogs, signs of ringworm include red sores, hair loss around the sores, and fragile, flaky skin. In humans, it causes skin infections, red rashes around the infected area, and itching.
Dermatitis
Skin infections, tissue inflammation often occur after a dog bite and pose a danger if not treated promptly. The first thing to do after being bitten by a dog is to clean the affected area to prevent inflammation.
Also, avoiding allowing the dog to lick or scratch the area is a good measure to prevent dermatitis. Keep the skin clean and ventilated at all times!
Brucellosis
Brucellosis is a bacterial infection transmitted from dogs to humans through contact with contaminated animals or consuming unsterilized foods containing this bacterium. While Brucellosis can be treated with antibiotics, the treatment takes time, and the disease may recur. Therefore, the best way to prevent it is to eat fresh, clean food and limit contact with suspected infected dogs. Symptoms include high fever, joint pain, and fatigue in humans.
Campylobacteriosis
Campylobacteriosis is a bacterial infection in dogs, especially puppies. This bacterium is found in the intestines of dogs and other mammals. It easily spreads to humans by touching dogs without proper hygiene.
Symptoms in humans include fever, vomiting, swollen lymph nodes, loss of appetite, loss of taste, etc.
Septicemia
Septicemia is a bacterial infection that can be transmitted to dogs, causing meningitis. These bacteria live on the skin, in the mouth, and intestines and can develop into severe diseases under favorable conditions, such as weather changes and weakened immunity.
Symptoms depend on the affected organs, causing nasal inflammation, congestion, etc., posing a danger to humans.
Diseases from Fleas and Ticks
Fleas not only transmit diseases to pets but also pose a threat to human health. Fleas and ticks transmit harmful viruses, bacteria, or other parasitic species into the blood of the host. When bitten, humans may experience high fever, severe headaches, fatigue, and chills.
To prevent diseases, pet owners should regularly bathe their dogs, clean their living environment, keep their homes tidy, and avoid sleeping with pets.
These are 12 dangerous diseases transmitted from dogs to humans that you should be aware of. We wish you and your family good health and the knowledge to prevent these diseases!