What diseases dogs transmit to people

All living beings can get diseases and health problems, not only from other specimens of the same species, but also from other animal species. For example, it is the case of zoonoses, which are diseases that can suffer from vertebrate animals and that can be transmitted to humans, in the opposite case we speak of anthropozoonosis. Zoonoses tend to occur mostly from other mammals to humans, although they can also occur through other types of species such as reptiles or birds. But, one of the animals that most frequently infect us with a health problem are dogs, basically those that are not vaccinated or wormed. For example, dogs can spread various diseases such as ringworm, sarcoptic mange, giardiasis, internal and external parasites, among others.

If you are curious, keep reading this article and discover what diseases dogs transmit to people and how they can reduce the risks of these infections effectively.

Diseases of the skin

Among the most common affections that dogs can infect humans we find several skin problems. When we come into direct contact with the skin or fluids of a dog affected by some dermal conditions we can get infected, so whenever we know that the animal has a skin disease we must proceed with great care and protection so that these conditions are not transmitted and affect us. Among the diseases of the skin that dogs transmit to people are the following:

Tub

The dermatophytosis or tinea is a fungal disease, that is to say that it is produced by fungi. It is highly contagious by direct or indirect contact with an affected animal, that is, it can also occur by touching a blanket of an infected dog. The symptoms begin to be seen after 3 or 4 weeks after the infection of this skin condition. Some of these symptoms are circular lesions on the skin, alopecia, scabs and peeling skin.

Sarcoptic mange

This type of mange is common in many mammals, therefore a dog affected by it can transmit it easily to us by coming into direct contact with it or indirectly through objects that have been touched or used. Sarcoptic mange is so common in dogs that it is also known as canine scabies. It is produced by a mite called Sarcoptes scabiei and it is easily spread. Among the most notable symptoms are itching, burning of the skin, rashes, scales and wounds.

Cheyletiellosis

Also called queiletielosis or walking dandruff is produced by a mite called Cheyletiella spp. Its symptoms are a red and irregular rash that produces a great itching and burning in the skin. It is known as walking or walking dandruff due to the fact that if we look closely we can see the mites as small dandruff spots, but they move through the skin.

Diseases of the digestive system

Dogs that are not well covered with vaccines and wormed properly can also cause a series of problems in the intestines or other parts of the digestive tract. For example, among the most common diseases of the digestive system that canids can transmit to us, we must highlight the following:

Giardiasis

Giardiasis is a condition produced by a protozoan parasite, called Giardia lambia, which is installed in the intestines of the animal it infects. It is very common in dogs and also people can easily get infected by coming into contact with an infected animal, contaminated water, food or surfaces also infested, etc. The main symptoms are upset stomach, gas, nausea, diarrhea and fatigue.

Campylobacteriosis

It is an infectious disease produced by various bacteria of the genus Campylobacter and can affect many living beings, although it is mainly transmitted to humans through birds, dogs can also spread it. Contagion occurs through direct contact with the feces of an infected animal or an environment in which contaminated feces are present. The symptoms are high fever, nausea, abdominal pain, cramps and diarrhea, and even blood in the stool.

Hydatidosis

This condition is also known as hydric cyst or echinocosis and is a parasitic disease caused by worms or intestinal worms. These parasites can affect both their larval stage and their adult stage. We can become infected with the eggs of these parasites when they come into contact with the faeces of an affected animal or if they are in some environment we are in, as in some field herbs. This type of intestinal worms is common in pets like dogs that are not wormed frequently.

When the eggs hatch in the intestines, some larvae enter the bloodstream, eventually becoming entangled in the tissue of some organs such as the liver, lungs or kidneys. Depending on the phase in which this disease is found, it can be treated with medication or surgery should be performed to remove the cysts.

Viral diseases

To continue commenting on the diseases transmitted by dogs to people, we will comment that among the main ones we find that the ones that are produced by viruses are the best known and still frequent in some areas of Asia is rabies. Actually, other types of viral infections do not usually occur directly through dogs but due to other vectors such as, for example, mosquitoes or, are not at all something frequent.

Rabies is an infectious viral disease caused by a virus of the family Rhabdoviridae, which directly affects the nervous system and is spread by biting or direct contact with the saliva of an infected animal, for example a dog. Therefore, if we come into contact with a dog that is infected with this virus, it can transmit this disease by the fact of biting us, making a small wound with a tooth, even if it is not wanted or because we touch its saliva. Symptoms include changes in behavior, fever, irritability, hyperactivity, convulsions, among others.

There is no cure for rabies, there is only prevention, so in all cases of infection both animals and humans die. Although today this virus is controlled or eradicated in many areas of the world, it still has activity in some others. For this reason it is important not to expose yourself to unnecessary risks and always follow the vaccination schedule of our pet up to date.

Internal and external parasites

Parasites, both internal and external, are one of the health problems that a dog that is not dewormed and can suffer from can easily get. In addition to some parasites discussed in previous sections, we can highlight some of the most common external parasites :

• Fleas
• Ticks
• Lice
• Mites

Also, among the most common internal parasites in dogs and that can be transmitted to humans are:

• Ascaris
• Hookworms
• You had
• Dirofilarias

Some symptoms and secondary health problems that can occur are bites, wounds, itching and burning in the skin in the case of external gastrointestinal problems, cysts, malnutrition and conditions in some organs in the case of inmates. But, in addition, all these parasites act as vectors for other diseases, for example a tick can transmit Lyme disease.

Prevent these zoonoses

In addition, it must be borne in mind that some of these zoonoses are also anthropozoonoses, since if a human suffers them it can infect other animals, especially other mammals such as dogs or cats.

So, as it is always better to prevent, we must respect the vaccination schedule and the internal and external deworming of our dog, preventing him from getting these diseases and parasites and transmitting them to us.

If we know that the animal we are going to touch or treat is affected by any of these health problems, it is better to use latex gloves and other basic protections such as masks and disinfectant, clean everything the animal has touched and start an appropriate treatment indicated by the veterinarian. But, as soon as we notice any of the signs of these conditions in ourselves we should see the doctor as soon as possible to begin treatment promptly.