Zoonotic diseases, also called zoonoses, are defined as diseases that can be transmitted between pets and people. These are the diseases that can be passed from your pet to you and your family. They can also be passed from your family to your pets.
What Diseases Are Zoonotic Diseases?
There are many pet diseases that are considered to be zoonotic. Depending on the disease involved, symptoms caused by a zoonosis may range from being mild and possibly self-limiting to being potentially fatal. These are some of the most common zoonoses:
- Roundworms are passed in the feces of infected dogs and cats. They can also be passed in the feces of other animals, such as raccoons. Roundworm infections are particularly dangerous for young children and can cause blindness, seizures and other serious disease.
- Hookworms can also be passed in the feces of infected dogs and cats. They can cause skin disease and discomfort.
- Ringworm is a skin disease that can be passed through direct contact with infected skin and hair. It is actually a fungal disease and there is no worm involved. The name “ringworm” is a misnomer, and the disease is more correctly called dermatophytosis. It can cause a skin rash that is extremely itchy and uncomfortable.
- Leptospirosis is a bacterial disease that causes kidney and/or liver disease. It is passed primarily through contact with infected urine. Dogs, rodents and many other mammals are susceptible to leptospirosis. People also can be infected, and leptospirosis is a potentially fatal disease.
- Toxoplasmosis is a serious zoonotic disease that is frequently carried by cats. Toxoplasmosis can cause abortions and stillborn births when the mother is infected during pregnancy.
- Giardiasis is another disease that is passed in the feces of infected animals. This disease is caused by a protozoan (one-celled) parasite known as Giardia.
- Lyme disease and other tick-borne diseases are not generally likely to be passed directly from your dog to your family. However, your pets can carry ticks into your home environment and may place your family at risk of these diseases by doing so.
- Rabies is a potentially fatal disease that is passed through the bite of an infected animal.
- Enteric pathogens (disease-causing organisms) such as E. Coli and Salmonella can be passed through the feces of infected animals and can cause gastrointestinal disease in both people and pets.
These are some of the most common contagious zoonotic diseases seen in household pets. However, there are many others.
Protecting Your Family From Contagious Pet Diseases
Fortunately, most zoonotic pet diseases can be prevented by using some simple precautions.
- Keep your pet up-to-date on pertinent vaccinations, particularly the rabies vaccine.
- Have your pet’s feces examined periodically by your veterinarian and keep your pet free of intestinal parasites.
- Keep your pet free of fleas and ticks. Both fleas and ticks are capable of feeding on people and passing disease to your family.
- Do not feed your pet raw meat. There is a higher incidence of infection with enteric pathogens in animals fed raw meat diets.
- Wash your hands thoroughly after handling your pet’s feces, urine or other body wastes. Make sure your children wash their hands thoroughly and often.
- Wash your hands before handling any foodstuff.
- Do not allow your pet on counters or other surfaces where food is prepared.
- Do not allow your pet to lick the plates, cups, dishes or cutlery that are used to feed your family.
- If you are pregnant, have someone else clean your cat’s litter box. If this is not possible, wear gloves when doing so, wash your hands thoroughly when you finish and clean the box daily.
- Do not allow your pets to relieve themselves in your garden. Do not dispose of used cat litter in your garden. Wear gloves when gardening.
- Cover sand boxes that your children play in when they are not in use so that neighborhood cats do not use them as litter boxes.
By following these simple techniques, you can keep your family safe and healthy while still being able to enjoy having pets in your household.
