Exposing Potential Risks: Common Diseases Spread by Animals to Humans
More frequently than you might believe, zoonotic infections are illnesses that can be transmitted from pets to humans. Even though your pet seems to be in perfect health, they may be hiding a contagious sickness. Keep up with your pet’s preventive care to keep them healthy and prevent getting sick.
How can my pet pass diseases to me?
Pets can pass germs to people in a variety of ways, including through:
- Direct contact – The disease can be transmitted by coming into direct touch with saliva, blood, urine, feces, or other bodily fluids from an infected pet. You could get sick if you clean up your pet’s accident inside or if they lick a sore on your leg.
- Indirect contact – When you come into contact with something that an infected pet has polluted, a disease is transmitted indirectly. A roundworm infection might occur in your child, for instance, if they dig in their sandbox after a stray cat has used it as a litter box.
- Vectors – Vectors, such as ticks and fleas, can be drawn to your pet and brought indoors where they can bite you and spread illness.
Foodborne infections in humans and their dogs are frequently brought on by undercooked meat, uncooked eggs, or fruits and vegetables contaminated with pet feces. - Water – Giardia or leptospirosis can be contracted by drinking or coming into contact with water that has been polluted with feces or urine.
What diseases can I get from my pet?
Numerous illnesses can be passed from pets to people through:
- Bacteria (leptospirosis, salmonella, E. coli, tick-borne disease, cat scratch disease)
- Viruses (rabies)
- Fungi (ringworm)
- Intestinal parasites (roundworms, hookworms, tapeworms, giardia, toxoplasma)
- External parasites (scabies, fleas, ticks)
Always use excellent hygiene when handling your pet, their waste, and their possessions to prevent the spread of disease since this list is by no means comprehensive.
Animal and human family members can contract a wide range of parasites and pathogens from pets. Regular preventative care is the best method to safeguard every member of your home, including the two- and four-legged ones. To keep everyone secure and healthy, give our staff a call to arrange for your pet’s preventative care visit.