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30 Diseases Humans Can Get From Pets

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… Simi - December 11, 2018

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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