Top 7 Most Common Infectious Diseases Spread by Pets

Your pet may be a carrier of one of the many infectious illnesses that can spread from pets to humans. Animals such as dogs, cats, birds, and reptiles may all be carriers of transmittable illness. If not detected early and cured correctly, these diseases can have serious effects, so it’s essential to check your pet’s health and take them to the veterinarian if you discover a sign of disease or infection.

Contagious Diseases From Animals

Aside from the flu, you could catch a few other typical illnesses from your pet. People with weak immune systems need extra caution because they may be more at risk than healthy individuals. The following are the most common infectious diseases found in animals.

1. Rabies

Rabies is a fatal nervous system illness triggered by a virus that spreads through bites. Fever or a headache might be early symptoms. This can rapidly progress into frustration, drowsiness, or confusional symptoms. It is usually too late to cure when those symptoms appear. Rabies can be transmitted from domesticated pets like dogs and cats, but wild animals have a greater threat.

2. Ringworm

The underlying reason for this condition is not a worm but rather a fungal infection of the skin’s outermost layer. There is a high threat of transmission to humans from infected pets, including dogs, cats, horses, and other types. In addition, if you have been sweating or have a tiny cut on your skin, you are more likely to catch it from touching surfaces that an infected animal or person has touched. Rash symptoms include a red, ring-shaped appearance that can be dry, scaly, wet, or crusty. Ringworm is hard to avoid but reacts well to treatment.

3. Hookworms and Roundworms

These parasites are commonly found in puppies and kittens. The pet’s feces consist of eggs or larvae. Hookworm can cause humans to develop painful, itchy skin infections. Some people with roundworms may not experience symptoms, but others, especially kids that come into contact with pet feces, may experience eye damage.

Animals hide their discomfort and distress until it becomes unbearable. Monitor your pet and bring them to a vet internal medicine in Perry if you see any unusual behavioral changes or other signs.

4. Tapeworm

Tapeworms can be transmitted to dogs and cats when they ingest an infected flea. While most people contract tapeworms from contaminated food, children can get them from swallowing fleas carrying tapeworm larvae. Tapeworm segments may appear in a human or animal’s feces or around the anal area. These pieces resemble rice grains. You can visit this page to find out more information.

5. Psittacosis (parrot fever)

This bacterial infection can be caught by inhaling dried feces or respiratory tract fluids from infected birds, including parrots, parakeets, macaws, and cockatiels. This infection is difficult to avoid because it rarely causes signs in pet birds. Seek medical attention from Perry Animal Hospital immediately if having a sick bird causes you to experience flu or respiratory symptoms.

6. Salmonella

Salmonella is typically acquired from ingesting contaminated food, but it can also be transmitted through the feces of infected pets. This infection is most likely spread from chicks and ducklings to humans or through reptiles like lizards, snakes, and turtles. It could also be transmitted by dogs, cats, birds, and even horses. Fever, diarrhea, and stomach pain are possible signs.

7. Lyme Disease

This is an infectious bacteria transmitted by ticks. Although your dog can not directly transmit Lyme to you, if your outdoor cat or dog picks up a few ticks on their fur, it may be able to do so. Tick attacks can cause a bull’s- eye rash, fever, headache, and muscle or joint pain. Although not everyone infected with Lyme will experience symptoms, the illness can advance into a chronic condition without treatment, resulting in swelling of the nerves and heart, mental changes, and pain.

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