It’s important that everyone stays happy and healthy in your home — learn all about the diseases our pets can give us.
When your pet is under the weather — they’ve stopped eating, they’re sleeping a lot, or perhaps you can just sense an illness — your heart aches and you would do anything to help them feel better.
And then you notice, you’re not feeling so great either. Is your empathy on overdrive or did your pet just give you something?
At The Vet Set, we’re your local vet in Carroll Gardens and we encourage you to give us a call when your pet is under the weather, this way we can identify and diagnose what they have, preventing them from getting sicker or spreading what they have to you. Learn about common diseases your pet can spread in today’s post.
8 Diseases Your Pet Can Spread To Humans
No, your empathy is not on overdrive, and yes, your pet just got you sick! Below are the most common diseases you can get from your pet — learn them, know them, and prevent them from spreading!
Pet-to-Human Diseases
When a pet spreads their illness and you contract it, this is what’s known as a zoonotic disease. This type of disease can be spread through direct or indirect contact with animals either through pests such as ticks, fleas, and mosquitoes, while others can be foodborne.
Older, younger, and pregnant people or those with compromised immune systems are the most at risk for zoonotic diseases. The best prevention is through keeping a clean home, washing your hands after pet snuggles, and avoiding any pet bites or scratches, in addition to always washing your raw fruits and veggies and thoroughly cooking your food.
Giardia
Giardia is a cluster of parasites that affect many animals such as dogs and cats, and also rodents and humans. These organisms can survive in the harshest of conditions. Giardia is ingested and causes severe GI issues such as vomiting and diarrhea.
Because many animals are exposed to the outdoors and the host of germs and bacteria present in the soil and water, they can easily lick or drink in the parasite.
While it’s more uncommon for humans to get giardia, it can be contracted from your cat walking in contaminated soil and then walking on your kitchen counters or even just petting an infected animal and not washing your hands afterward.
If you notice abnormal symptoms in your pet, it’s vital to take them to the vet and quarantine them at home. Always wash your hands after handling an infected animal and bathe them daily to reduce the risk of spreading the parasite.
Salmonella
When you think of salmonella, you think of food poisoning from eating undercooked meat, not from cuddling your cat. Similar to giardia, salmonella can be contracted through rolling around in feces or soil outside and then you petting them and not washing your hands. Again, washing your hands is critical in preventing the spread of germs and bacteria.
Cat Scratch
You’ve likely heard of cat scratch fever and this is a real disease caused by the bacteria Bartonella henselae. Cats contract cat scratch disease from blood-sucking parasites such as fleas, ticks, biting flies, and lice. And the kicker, this disease doesn’t typically affect the host!
Humans get cat scratch fever from a cat bite or scratch that breaks the skin, it is also contracted when a cat licks an open wound on a human, so keep those wounds protected and covered!
The symptoms of cat scratch disease are swelling at the affected site, fever, headache, and fatigue. If it appears you have an infected area from a bite or scratch, seek medical attention.
We’ve covered three of the eight zoonotic diseases that can impact both the health of your pet and you! It’s always important to know the signs and symptoms so you can better prevent and recognize these health issues.
There are five more diseases we have yet to explore! Stay tuned for part two as we examine Lyme disease, ringworm, and more!
Concerned that your pet may have a zoonotic disease? Bring them in right away and schedule your appointment in our Carroll Gardens vet clinic today!