Diseases You Can Catch From Your Pet
After the past several years, many Americans have undoubtedly had their fill of infectious diseases and viruses. But what if the threat was still lurking (it always is!) right in your home? It may be the case, because there are a number of diseases, sicknesses, and viruses that can spread between animals and humans.
That’s all to say that yes, you can catch a disease from your pet, and you should do your best to keep everyone healthy, reduce exposure, and create a healthy, happy environment for your family and your pet. Here’s a rundown of some of the more common infectious diseases that it’s theoretically possible to catch from your pets.
Worms
Pets can carry all types of worms, like hookworms and roundworms. There’s an entire world of worms out there that most people (thankfully) never have to deal with! But for our pets, that’s not the case. They can get intestinal parasite infections, and it’s possible that those infections can be passed on to people.
In most or many cases, worms of various types—well, their larvae or eggs, anyway—are found in an animal's fecal matter. So, if you or someone in your household comes into contact with an animal’s droppings, you’ll want to wash up quickly. This is also why it’s important to pick up after your pet.
Fungus, such as ringworm
Ringworm isn’t actually a worm, it’s a fungus—who knew?!
Ringworm is often hard to miss, as it causes a reaction on the skin, which can be itchy or painful. It’s also very contagious and is transferred between animals and humans with relative ease. If you suspect an animal has ringworm, call a vet as soon as possible, and be sure to give laundry, including blankets and sheets around the house, a thorough washing.
Salmonella
Salmonella may be more commonly associated with eating raw eggs or other foods, but it can also be passed between animals and humans. Certain animals are more likely to carry Salmonella, which is actually a bacteria. Dogs and cats are on that list. Salmonella can cause fevers and abdominal problems, so you’ll want to do your best to avoid it.
To reduce your risk, wash your hands after touching animals that you’re unfamiliar with, stay away from animal droppings, and avoid contact with certain types of animals, like reptiles.
Tick-related illnesses
Ticks can carry all sorts of diseases, such as Lyme and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever. While a person won’t catch these diseases directly from a pet, if a pet brings a tick home with them in their fur, it’s possible that someone in the household could be bitten and ultimately become infected. It bears repeating: Check your pets for ticks!
Cats: Cat Scratch Disease and Toxoplasmosis
Cats, specifically, can carry certain diseases or parasites, such as Cat Scratch Disease (CSD) and Toxoplasmosis. CSD is a type of bacterial infection that can be identified by open or swollen wounds and sores. It’ll require antibiotics to knock out, be it in an animal or human. Conversely, Toxoplasmosis is a parasite that lives in a cat’s scat (cat scat fever, perhaps?), and can jump to humans if a litterbox isn’t cleaned often enough, or if they make direct contact with feces.
As always, make sure to call us as soon as possible if you think that your pet is sick. It’s possible, but perhaps unlikely, that your pet can make you or a family member sick, too. Be sure to wash your hands regularly, clean up after your pets, and bring them in for regular exams as well to make sure they’re happy and healthy!
Contact us to make an appointment today!
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