What can I catch from my dog?

February 10, 2022 by Natasha V. Health

It is normal that if you or someone around you has the flu, fever, or any other illness, you may wonder if it is possible for the family dog to catch it too.

Is it possible to infect my dog, or is it possible for him to infect me with an illness? In this post, we will tell you which are the diseases you can catch from your dog or your dog and how you can keep a safe place for both of you.

What diseases can dogs get from humans?

There are diseases that can be transmitted from people to pets, but they are rare and are usually parasites and fungi. On the other hand, skin infections induced by an animal bite or scratch are more frequent.

These are the main diseases that dogs can contract from humans.

Intestinal parasites.

Intestinal parasites in the form of worms or tapeworms can infect our pets and infect people through contact with feces. Especially children who play outdoors with their pets.

To prevent this, you should keep your dog's deworming schedule up to date and keep the environment clean.

Salmonellosis.

Salmonellosis is an infection caused by a bacterium usually found in raw meat or eggs, making both dogs and humans sick.
It is spread through the feces or saliva of an infected animal, and a contaminated animal can continue to shed the bacteria for weeks after infection and infect you.

So make sure you wash your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water after playing with your dog.

Mumps.

Mumps is a very contagious disease that is spread by sharing personal items, coughing, or sneezing. It affects dogs in a similar way as it does people.

What viruses and diseases can dogs pass to humans?

A zoonotic disease is a term used to describe pathologies that can be transmitted from an animal to a human being and for which we must be careful.

Here are the 8 most common diseases that dogs can transmit to humans.

Ringworm.

Ringworm is a fungal disease that causes itchy rashes and skin irritation, and can be transmitted by direct contact with an infected animal.

To prevent it we must watch our dog's skin and avoid red lesions on the skin or hair loss.

Sarcoptic mange.

This type of mange is common among many mammals, a dog infected with it can easily infect us, directly or indirectly, through anything it has touched or used.

It is caused by a mite called Sarcoptes scabiei and is easily spread. Among the most notable symptoms are itching, burning of the skin, rashes, scales, and wounds.

Rabies.

Rabies is spread by the bite or direct contact with the saliva of an infected animal, although it is uncommon in many countries, the few cases that appear from time to time can be fatal, so prevention is of utmost importance.

Symptoms in animals can be very diverse and include hypersensitivity, behavioral changes, loss of appetite, convulsions, foaming at the mouth, and even sudden death.

Campylobacter or campylobacteriosis.

Campylobacter jejuni bacteria can be present in the digestive tract of dogs, cats, hamsters, poultry, and some farm animals. It causes diarrhea, stomach upset, and fever in humans.

A person can get this infection if he or she comes into contact with contaminated water, feces, undercooked (medium-rare) meat, or unpasteurized milk.

Can I get sick from my dog licking me?

Although there is much debate among dog owners on this issue, some claim that this is not good for us or our furry friends.
Since dogs explore the world through their tongue, a dog's saliva contains many more bacteria than human saliva, and many of these bacteria are harmful to humans.

However, according to experts, it is most likely that nothing will actually happen. For a person to get sick from a dog lick, a number of unfortunate circumstances have to coincide.

For example, if a human has a wound that is licked by a dog, it could become infected but the dog would have to have a bacterial disease or a parasite.

And even then, the human's own immune system is probably strong enough to fend off invaders.

So although these are unlikely cases, it is advisable to implement the necessary hygiene rules to avoid possible diseases.

Can I catch COVID from my dog?

According to the LA Times, pets and other animals can contract the coronavirus that causes COVID-19, but U.S. health officials say the risk of them transmitting it to people is low.

At this time, there is no evidence that animals can spread COVID-19.

However, research so far suggests that you may be able to infect your pet with COVID and it is recommended that you quarantine and isolate yourself and other family members from your pet.

In addition, there is no evidence that viruses, including the virus that causes COVID-19, can be transmitted to people from the skin or fur of pets.

How to prevent catching a disease from my dog?

Actually, the chances of your pet giving you a disease are low, especially if you have good hygiene, if you keep clean the areas that your best friend frequents, here are some guidelines to avoid catching any disease from your dog.

• NEVER come into contact with your dog's waste, pee, or feces, and if you handle anything indirectly, such as soiled carpets or bags of feces, wash your hands thoroughly afterward.
• Keep small children away from sandboxes and areas where dogs defecate in the street.
• Avoid letting your dog lick you often, and do not share food or other objects with him that contain his saliva.
• Do not feed your dog eggs and raw meats. Feed him veterinarian-dictated diets or high-quality food.
• Reduce your dog's interaction with farm animals, wild animals, or other stray dogs.
• Avoid walking him in areas with thick grass where he may be a target of different diseases and parasites such as fleas or ticks.

Prevention is the key.

Although the chances of your dog infecting you or you infecting him with a disease are low, you should always invest in his health and help him to lead a healthy and quality active life.

For this, it will always be necessary to keep up to date with his veterinarian's quotes, dog's vaccination schedule, and a proper dog diet that will help your dog naturally strengthen his immune system and keep him in a clean and safe environment.