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30 Diseases Humans Can Get From Pets

18. The plague Most people think of the plague as an epidemic that occurred in the 13th century which wiped out a third of Europe’s population.… Simi - December 11, 2018

18. The plague

Most people think of the plague as an epidemic that occurred in the 13th century which wiped out a third of Europe’s population. Known as the Black Death, there was no cure for the plague. Bubonic plague came to Europe in the fleas of the rats that inhabited the ships traveling the world.

The bacteria Yersinia pestis still lives in the fleas on the bodies of rodents. A bite of one of these fleas can make a human very ill. It’s possible for a cat to acquire the bacteria if it hunts a rodent that carries the flea. For pets, the plague makes them experience fever, swollen lymph nodes, and inflammation. A pet owner who contracts the plague will have a sudden onset of fever, headaches, weakness, and swelling of lymph nodes. The incidences of plague are very few. Today, the disease can be treated with antibiotics for both humans and animals.

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*West Nile Virus. Image via Shutterstock*

17. West Nile Virus

The animals that tend to be infected by the West Nile virus are horses and birds. Humans are susceptible to the disease as well. The West Nile virus is a flavivirus transmitted by the bite of mosquitoes. The mosquitoes typically acquire the virus from biting a bird. As the mosquitoes continue to bite more animals and humans, the virus is spread. Most people who are bitten by a mosquito carrying the West Nile virus do not have any symptoms. Some people will have aches, pains, vomiting, diarrhea, and a rash. In rare cases, people can develop meningitis or encephalitis which are both diseases that cause severe inflammation.

There is no treatment for the virus itself. Patients receive treatment for the symptoms it presents. These include painkillers for mild cases. Severe cases will require hospitalization. Use mosquito repellent and take precautions such as wearing gloves when handling dead birds to prevent the spread of the virus.

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*Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever. Image via Shutterstock*

16. Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever

The Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever bacteria is carried by ticks. The ticks acquire the bacteria when they feed on wildlife. The rickettsia rickettsii bacteria can make humans very ill. There may be no obvious symptoms in the dog or cat who carries the tick. However, if the tick bites a human, the bacteria can be spread. Symptoms of Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever include fever, aches, headaches, nausea, and vomiting. Infected persons usually develop a distinctive rash as well. However, not every infected person will develop the rash.

Prompt treatment with antibiotics is needed. Like other tick-borne diseases, the condition progresses rapidly. With no treatment, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever could be fatal. There is a chance of severe inflammation of the brain, heart, or lungs as well as kidney failure. Pet owners should actively prevent their pets from bringing home ticks. When dealing with ticks, wear gloves, and disinfect your hands straight afterward.

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*Staphylococcus. Image via Shutterstock*

15. Streptococcus and Staphylococci

The streptococcus and staphylococcus bacteria are two of the most common in the world. Pets carry these bacteria as do humans. For animals, an eye infection may be the result of a streptococci infection. Skin infections are often caused by a staphylococci infection. Pet owners who are treating such infections on their pets may pick up these bacteria, and themselves become ill.

*Staphylococcus bacteria. Image via Shutterstock*

Contact with the infected area can lead to transmission of the bacteria and infection. A bacterial infection can manifest itself in humans in a variety of ways. A sore throat or eye infection is common. When applying ointments to infected areas on their pets, pet owners should use gloves. Hand washing after handling the pet is highly recommended. Antibiotics are typically used to treat bacterial infections. However, many strains of these bacteria are becoming antibiotic resistant which makes them harder to treat and get under control.

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*Capnocytophaga. Image via Shutterstock*

14. Capnocytophaga

The C canimorsus bacteria lives in the saliva of cats and dogs. Up to three-quarters of dogs and half of the cats carry the bacterium in their saliva. Most of the time, the bacteria have no harmful effects on the pet owner. However, there is a chance that the bacteria could cause an infection. Infections are rare but can be deadly. In most cases, the bacteria enter the human bloodstream as the result of a bit or scratch. However, some people have contracted the bacteria from their pet by simply being around them.

*Capnocytophaga Infection. Image via Shutterstock*

The complications that can arise from a C canimorsus infection include blood poisoning, meningitis, and severe respiratory distress. After the initial infection, symptoms such as fever, diarrhea, vomiting, and headaches will manifest. Untreated, the infection will progress. It is especially dangerous for pet owners with suppressed immune systems. Washing and disinfecting bites and scratches can inhibit the bacteria’s ability to cause an infection.

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13. Hookworm

The hookworm is a parasite that lives in the intestines of a dog. They attach themselves to the intestinal wall. This may cause a good deal of internal bleeding and has been known to cause the deaths of puppies. The symptoms of hookworm in a pet include diarrhea, weight loss, and a failure to thrive.

*Hookworm Symptoms. Image via Verywell Health*

Like all parasites, hookworms lay eggs. The eggs are excreted from the dog’s body in its feces. Accidental contact with the feces could infect a human being. For example, accidentally stepping on dog feces could allow the hookworm eggs to enter the body via the skin. The symptoms humans display when they have hookworms include stomach pains, loss of appetite, and anemia. Both pets and owners need antiparasitic drugs to get rid of a hookworm infestation. Feces should be picked up and disposed of regularly. Always wash hands after collecting feces before moving onto other tasks.

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*Tapeworm Infection. Image via Shutterstock*

12. Tapeworm

A flea infected with a tapeworm larva is the main way pets get tapeworm. Drinking from stagnant water is another way. Once the parasitic larva is inside the animal’s body, it attaches itself to the intestinal wall. The first indicator a pet owner will have that their pet might have tapeworm is the animal dragging its bottom on the ground. Tapeworm makes an animal’s bottom itch. The feces will contain whole worms or rice-like pieces which are excreted segments of the existing tapeworm. An animal with tapeworm will often vomit up smaller tapeworms too.

Accidental contact with the tapeworm through the vomit or feces of the animal can lead to a human infection too. Humans with tapeworm report a vastly increased appetite accompanied by persistent weight loss. Treatment with deworming mediation is necessary for pets and humans. Small children are susceptible to tapeworm infestations and should be carefully monitored. Pets should be dewormed regularly.

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*Francisella tularensis (Tularemia) | Rabbit fever. Image via Osmosis*

11. Tularemia

Tularemia is commonly known as rabbit fever. The disease is associated with rabbits and rodents. It is typically associated with wild rabbits and rodents. Domesticated pets may, however, come into contact with such animals. Ticks on the rabbits and rodents may be transferred to the skin of a cat or dog.

*Swollen lymph nodes. Image via Shutterstock*

Humans can acquire tularemia in one of two ways. The first is through a scratch. This results in a glandular illness with swollen lymph nodes. The second is through inhalation. The result is a more acute form of the disease which affects the whole body. The symptoms of tularemia in humans include fever and inflammation. There are isolated cases in which the brain, heart, and lungs are attacked. Cats and dogs who go outside the yard should be routinely inspected for ticks. Undertake tick removal carefully wearing gloves. Make sure that pets are being protected from ticks and fleas using reputable products.

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10. Hantavirus

This viral disease is rare but deadly. The animals that transmit the virus are rodents. There is a sharp increase in rodents encroaching on human habitats as the cold months of winter loom. Rats and mice seek to make their homes indoors. These rodents pass the virus on through their urine, saliva, and feces.

Coming into physical contact with these excretions can transmit the virus. It can also be transmitted through the air. While sweeping up rodent feces, the virus can be aerosolized and cause an infection when breathed in. Hantavirus causes a weakening in the structure of the blood vessel walls. This can lead to internal bleeding and hemorrhaging. Unfortunately, hantavirus isn’t exclusive to wild rodents. There have been cases where pet rodent owners contracted the disease. Take precautions such as wearing gloves and a mask when cleaning rodent cages. Take active measures to prevent rodents from moving into the home.

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*Pasteurellosis. Image via Shutterstock*

9. Pasteurellosis

This is a disease carried by rabbits. It’s seldom evident that a rabbit is infected as they tend to show no symptoms. Those that do will have enlarged lymph nodes and eye infections. Birds can also carry pasteurellosis and so can cats and dogs. A cat bite can pass the bacteria onto an unsuspecting pet owner.

*Blood from a bite cat. Image via Shutterstock*

The disease usually manifests as a slight infection at the site of a bite or scratch. The skin and soft tissue show signs of damage and inflammation. The eye is particularly vulnerable to pasteurellosis which can cause severe infections. A bite that starts swelling right away is an indication that pasteurellosis may be present. The bacteria can be easily eradicated by the administration of antibiotics. If a pet owner is bitten, they should clean the wound immediately with disinfectant. Once the skin is broken by the bite, a doctor would administer a tetanus shot and test for rabies.

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8. Hepatitis E

Hepatitis is a disease that attacks the patient’s liver. There are several different strains of hepatitis. Few are transmitted to humans by animals. However, Hepatitis E is an exception. Most people who contract Hepatitis E do so by drinking contaminated water. However, they can also contract from a pet pig. While more study into the transmission is needed, what’s clear is that very close contact with a pet pig is needed to transmit Hepatitis E. Allowing a pet pig too much access to your personal space isn’t a good idea.

A human might suffer mild symptoms after contracting Hepatitis E. These include some jaundice, liver enlargement, and appetite and digestion issues. However, Hepatitis E can develop into fulminant hepatitis. This results in liver failure and death. Pet pigs should not be allowed to share a bed with their owners or spend too much time on the couch. Immunosuppressed persons are more vulnerable to getting hepatitis.

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7. Monkeypox

This disease bears many similarities to smallpox which was declared eradicated more than 30 years ago. Initially discovered in monkeys, the disease derived its name from there. However, there have been reported cases of monkeypox outbreaks in humans. In 2003, an outbreak in the United States brought the disease to the attention of millions of people. The commonality among all the pet owners who got sick was their ownership of prairie dogs. As it turns out, the prairie dogs had been kept close to some pouched rats imported from West Africa.

The infected prairie dogs transmitted the monkeypox by biting their human owners. The infected people suffered from chills, fevers, and muscle aches. They developed a rash that looked much like smallpox. No treatment specific to monkeypox is available. Smallpox vaccines and antiviral drugs are used to treat the condition. The appearance of the distinctive rash should set off alarm bells.

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*Campylobacter jejuni. Image via Shutterstock*

6. Campylobacter jejuni

This bacterial disease is caused by the Campylobacter jejuni bacterium which is found in the intestines of many animals. It is possible for the bacteria to be transmitted during the handling of any animal fecal matter. Cat and dog feces can contain the bacteria.

Infection by the bacteria leads to the symptoms of food poisoning. Diarrhea, cramping, nausea, and vomiting are symptoms of Campylobacter jejuni. Treatment of the symptoms will put a stop to it. For some patients, antibiotics might be needed. The elderly, the very young, and the immune-suppressed are more likely to need medical intervention. Cleaning up areas where animal fecal matter is present should be done on a regular basis. Thereafter, the pet owner should dispose of the waste and wash their hands with disinfectant soap. Pet store workers should be extra careful as there is a raised likelihood of contact with the bacteria.

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*Brucella canis. Image via Shutterstock*

5. Brucella canis

This bacterium infects dogs and affects their reproductive systems. It is associated with infertility in both sexes. In females, the bacterial infection can result in endometriosis and spontaneous abortions. The bacteria are spread to humans via the vaginal secretions and urine of an infected dog. Once the bacteria enter the human body, the resulting infection will include symptoms such as fever and weight loss.

There is also a possibility of swelling of the lymph nodes, spleen, and liver. Antibiotic treatment is necessary to get rid of the infection for both the dogs and their owners. After handling a pet dog, especially a female who has had stillborn puppies, the owner should wash their hands thoroughly. Infections in humans are relatively rare, but simple precautions should still be taken. Dog breeders and their employees should be extra vigilant as should those who work at kennels and dog boarding facilities.

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*Helicobacter pylori. Image via Shutterstock*

4. Helicobacter pylori

The Helicobacter pylori s a spiral bacterium that can cause both animals and humans alike to suffer from stomach ulcers. The bacteria that cause this condition house themselves in an area of the digestive system known as the duodenum. The feces of an infected animal carry the bacteria. Accidental or inadvertent contact with the feces of an infected animal poses a potential threat to people. Upon contact with the hands, the bacteria can enter the body. Pet owners should pay special attention to washing their hands after cleaning up pet feces.

*Symptoms of infection of Helicobacter pylori. Image via Shutterstock*

The animals most likely to be infected by this bacterium are cats, dogs, and ferrets. Both the pets and their owners will experience episodes of intermittent vomiting. Humans also show symptoms such as nausea, weight loss, and a diminished appetite. Pets and owners will need antibiotic treatment to get rid of the infection. Owners can also make use of antacids to ease the pain caused by their stomach ulcers.

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3. Giardia

This is a parasitic illness. The parasite lives in contaminated water. Upon drinking the water, the host is unwittingly infected by the parasite. Pets like dogs are susceptible to parasitic diseases like giardia as they drink water from stagnant puddles. Untreated, unfiltered water is far more likely to contain parasites. Dogs who have giardia will show symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, bloody stools, and live worms in their feces. Humans will also exhibit bloody stools, stomach aches, and coughing. Antiparasitic treatment is required for pets and their owners who get the parasite.

Pet owners should avoid drinking unclean water and should carry treated water with them when they take their dogs out. Dogs should be encouraged to drink water from their owners rather than from bodies of contaminated water. Immediate treatment for an infected dog will kill the parasite before it can be passed onto the owner.

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*MRSA Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infection. Image via Shutterstock*

2. MRSA

Methicillin-resistant staph aureus is an infection that poses more of the threat to humans than it does to animals. Many animals can carry MRSA such as pigs, chinchillas, horses, and parrots. Dogs can also contract the infection. There are various strains of MRSA which pose different levels of threat to human life. Animals who have recurrent ear infections or wounds that won’t heal are likely candidates for MRSA infection. Owners should be on the lookout for fever, wound discharge, skin swelling, and skin lesions.

Contact with infected areas on their pets can cause owners to get MRSA. In humans, MRSA presents as a series of small reddish bumps on the skin. Left untreated, deep skin abscesses may form. As the name implies, MRSA is treatment resistant, and a combination of antibiotics is needed to eradicate it. Scrupulous hygiene practices when it comes to caring for pets with infections and wounds can prevent MRSA transmission.

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*Sarcoptic mange. Image via Shutterstock*

1. Sarcoptic mange

Mange is the result of an infestation of mites in the skin of an animal. The result is itchy, sensitive, and irritated skin. The fur might fall out of the affected area leaving behind bald patches. Sores and scabs form on the skin. Animals with mange will scratch their skin persistently, to the point where bleeding occurs. The skin is sensitive and painful.

*Sarcoptic Mange in dog. Image via Shutterstock*

The presence of the mites is a constant irritation to the animal. Antiparasitic medications, ointments, and shampoos are used to get rid of mange. Caged animals should have their cages treated with powder to kill the mites. When the mites are passed onto a human, the result is scabies. This is a condition characterized by a rash of small sores that are itchy and painful. Topical ointments are the recommended treatment. Regular inspection of pets’ fur for mites allows owners to deal with an infestation in the early stages.

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