Your pet may be a carrier of one of the many contagious diseases that can spread from pets to humans. Animals such as dogs, cats, birds, and reptiles may all be carriers of contagious diseases. If not diagnosed early and treated properly, these illnesses can have significant consequences, so it’s important to check your pet’s health and take them to the veterinarian if you see a sign of illness or infection.
Infectious Diseases From Pets
Aside from the flu, you can catch a few other typical illnesses from your pet. People with weak immune systems must take more precautions because they may be more at risk than healthy individuals. The following are the most common infectious illness found in animals.
1. Rabies
Rabies is a fatal disease of the nervous system that is caused by a virus and spreads through bites. Fever or a headache could be early signs. This can quickly progress into agitation, sleepiness, or confusional signs. It is usually too late to cure when those signs appear. Rabies can be transmitted from domesticated pets like dogs and cats, but wild animals have a greater threat.
2. Ringworm
The underlying cause of this condition is not a worm but rather a fungal infection of the skin’s top layer. There is a high threat of transmission to people from infected animals, including dogs, cats, horses, and other types. Furthermore, if you have been sweating or have a small cut on your skin, you are more likely to catch it from touching surfaces that an infected animal or person has touched. Rash symptoms include a red, ring-shaped appearance that can be dry, flaky, wet, or crusty. Ringworm is difficult to prevent but responds well to treatment.
3. Hookworms and Roundworms
These parasites are typically found in puppies and kittens. The animal’s feces have eggs or larvae. Hookworm can cause humans to develop painful, itchy skin infections. Some people with roundworms may not experience signs, but others, especially kids that come into contact with pet feces, may experience eye damage. Schedule a consultation with your veterinarian or visit a veterinary laboratory to ensure your pet is healthy and receives treatment for any conditions it may have.
4. Tapeworm
Tapeworms can be spread to dogs and cats when they consume an infected flea. While the majority of people contract tapeworms from contaminated food, children can obtain them by ingesting fleas carrying tapeworm larvae. Tapeworm segments may appear in a human or animal’s feces or around the anal area. These pieces appear like rice grains. Your pet needs to be examined by an internal veterinary medicine specialist right away if you see a sudden change in your pet.
5. Psittacosis (parrot fever)
You can catch this bacterial infection by inhaling dried feces or respiratory tract fluids from infected birds, including parrots, parakeets, macaws, and cockatiels. This infection is hard to prevent because it barely shows signs in pet birds. Seek medical attention right away if having an ill bird triggers you to experience flu or respiratory symptoms.
6. Salmonella
Salmonella is typically acquired from eating contaminated food, but it can also spread through infected pets’ feces. This infection is usually spread from chicks and ducklings to humans or through reptiles like lizards, snakes, and turtles. It could also be carried by dogs, cats, birds, and even horses. Fever, diarrhea, and stomach pain are possible signs. Learn more about the signs and schedule a consultation with your veterinarian.
7. Lyme Disease
This is a contagious bacteria spread by ticks. Although your dog can not directly transmit Lyme to you, if your outdoor cat or dog picks up a few ticks on their fur, it may be able to do so. Tick bites can lead to a bull’s- eye rash, high temperature, headache, and muscle or joint pain. Although not every person infected with Lyme will experience symptoms, the disease can progress into a chronic condition without treatment, leading to inflammation of the nerves and heart, mental changes, and discomfort.