Zoonotic Diseases

There are several diseases which are transmissible from dogs to people (or from people to dogs). These are known as zoonotic diseases.

While contracting disease from animals is a not an extremely common occurrence, it is something of which all dog owners should be aware.

The following is a list of diseases with zoonotic potential (the potential to pass from dogs to people). (Please note: this list is not meant to be comprehensive, but only to cover some of the most commonly encountered zoonotic diseases. There are currently approximately 150 diseases known to be zoonotic.)

• Roundworms are intestinal parasites which have been known to infect people, especially children, migrating into the eyes and causing blindness. Always wash your hands thoroughly after picking up dog feces. Wash your hands thoroughly before handling food. Make sure children wash their hands frequently and thoroughly, especially after handling dogs.
• Hookworms are also intestinal parasites which can infect people, usually causing skin lesions. Do not go barefoot where dogs congregate. This includes the beach if dogs are allowed there.

• Ringworm is a skin disease caused by a fungus which can easily be passed from dogs to people or people to dogs. Exposure is through direct contact with an infected animal or person or soil infected with the fungal elements. Always wash your hands thoroughly after gardening.
• Toxoplasmosis is a disease which can be passed from cats to people. It is primarily an issue in pregnant women and is passed by contact with infected feces. For this reason, pregnant women should not handle a cat’s litter box and should wear gloves when gardening.
• Leptospirosis is a disease which can cause liver and/or kidney failure. Exposure takes place through contact with infected body fluids, including urine. Rodents are frequent carriers of the disease and dogs can also be carriers. Take precautions to keep rodents under control.
• Scabies is another skin disease which can be passed from dogs to people or from people to dogs. Scabies is caused by a mite which lives on the skin of infected animals or people. Many of the monthly topical flea and tick prevention medications are effective against scabies as well.
• Salmonellosis is a disease causing gastrointestinal symptoms, such as diarrhea. It is acquired through contact with infected feces. Feeding raw food diets can increase your risk for salmonellosis.
• Cat Scratch Fever is a disease which is caused by a cat scratch. The cat itself is usually asymptomatic (not showing symptoms of illness). It is believed that cats are infected with this disease by fleas. Therefore, flea prevention and control is an excellent way to protect against cat scratch disease. Also, keep your cat's nails trimmed short and avoid rough play with your cat.