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COLUMBUS PET to HUMAN DISEASE GUIDE
| This Guide is Provided by the Veterinarians of Benning Animal Hospital, LLC |
Columbus is in the center of the South Eastern United States. And while our climate takes
advantage of that fact, we are also a crossroads which canine and feline diseases can come
through. Click here for common diseases for pets that aren't transmittable.
Zoonotic diseases. Now while these diseases sound like fun, "Zoonotic" does not refer to a
free trip to see tigers or Pandas at the Atlanta Zoo. Instead it refers to diseases that you can
get from animals. Ick! With proper care, all of these can be prevented, and your local
veterinarian can help you.
WORMS!
Yes, I said worms. They can get from your pet to you. They live in your
pets organs, fecal matter and intestinal tracts, but in humans they can live
in your *eyeballs*!!! While very cool for scaring kids at Halloween, it not
something you want to have happen to you.
Ringworm-
Ringworms are actually more of a fungal infection of the skin, hair or nails, ringworm starts as
a rapidly spreading hairless, circular lesion. A lesion is basically a flesh tattoo that looks
pretty bad and can turn into an ugly sore. Humans can be infected through use of
contaminated objects like hair brushes, towels or clothing or by contact with infected animals
like cats, dogs, mice, rats and guinea pigs. Vets carry medications that kill worms and stop
them from infesting your animals.
Roundworm/ Hookworm-
Roundworm eggs and microscopic adult worms can be excreted in the feces of dogs and cats
infected by the worms. Children may be at a higher risk for contracting roundworms because
they play near pets or touch infected feces and put their hands into their mouths. But really,
we have to clean up after our pets, so adults may touch poop too. First, always wash
thoroughly after handling animal fecal matter. Secondly, all cats and dogs should be taken to
their veterinarians for regular fecal examinations. Also remember to cover all sandboxes when
not in use to prevent children from contacting contaminated feces. It's always the neighbor
who never treats their cat that gets your place infected, isn't it? Symptoms can include fever,
cough, loss of appetite, weakness and lung congestion.
Why get Rabies when you can get SCABIES!
Actually, Scabies is much better than Rabies. Scabies is related to Mange
on dogs and is a skin disorder. Scabies is called sarcoptic mange. Basically
there are these tiny bugs called "itch mites" which burrow under the skin.
Scabies cause intense itching and scratching that can result in severe
eczema. Eczema means your skin is cracking, dry and nasty looking!
Humans can be infected through contact with infected animals.
Toxoplasmosis- You know how you are so proud your cat or dog keeps the rodents away?
Well, they may get this nasty disease as a result. Cats can get toxoplasmosis from eating raw
meat or prey of animals such as mice. Cats will show no signs of being infected. However,
they can pass it on to humans through fecal matter or scratches, where it can cause lethargy,
loss of appetite, and fever may indicate early infection with the disease. It is particularly
dangerous to pregnant women and their unborn children. Clean up those litterboxes, wash
and disinfect areas related to fecal matter, and talk to your Vet and human doctor about this
disease, especially if you might be expecting.
Rabies-This is caused by a virus which attacks the pet’s nervous system.
Rabies can be transmitted by bite or bodily fluids. While in the movies,
Rabid animals look like they forgot to spit out their toothpaste, in real life,
animals with rabies do not always hypersalivate or show other outward
signs.. Many infected pets can be very tame and calm. Good news is that
reptiles, birds, fish or amphibians can't get it or transmit it to you. But it is
*extremely* deadly to humans unless properly treated. Over 30,000
humans were treated for Rabies last year.
Lyme Disease- Technically the ticks on your pet will give you this. It is caused by a bacterium
called spirochete transmitted to the pets and humans by the tick bite. If not treated properly it
may lead to heart diseases or neurological complications or joint damages and kidney related
problems in the pets and humans. If you see a tick on a human, go to your human MD, and if
you see one on your pet, go to the Vet!.
Leptospirosis- This disease is caused by bacteria and, even human beings get affected by
the bacteria. There are several species of bacteria found to produce the disease in dogs. The
common symptoms include lethargy, fever, kidney inflammation, clotting of blood and
conjunctivitis. In more chronic conditions it can produce pneumonia, intestinal inflammation
and jaundice.
Tick on a toddler's head.
| Call us at (706) -689-6240 www.benninganimalhospital.com |