My clients often ask if they can catch their dog's cold, or vice versa. Fortunately, the answer to most of these types of questions is, "No, it's not likely to be contagious across species." However, there are certain diseases that are capable of spreading from animals to humans. These are called "zoonotic" diseases. As veterinarians, we are part of your family's defense system against these illnesses. I want to tell you about a few of these zoonotic diseases and how we can help.
One of the most famous zoonotic diseases, of course, is rabies. Rabies is a virus that is transmitted through a bite wound when the virus is present in the saliva of the biting animal. At this point in the animal's infection, it may not be obvious they have rabies, so every animal bite to a human should be reported to the Health Department. Once an animal or human is exposed to rabies, symptoms could develop within three weeks to one year. When symptoms begin, the virus is fatal, and death occurs within 10 days in most cases. This means that early intervention is crucial, so again, every animal bite to a human should be reported. In Arkansas, the main carriers of rabies are skunks and bats. Because of the contact our pets and livestock may have with skunks in particular, it is important that we protect our animals against rabies, thereby further protecting our families. Rabies vaccine is a very effective means of protection for our pets.
Leptospirosis is a bacterial infection that is transmitted through the urine of an infected animal. "Lepto" is more prominent around water, especially after heavy rains or flooding. It can live in the soil for months after being introduced to an area. Multiple species of animals can carry Leptospirosis. The most notorious carrier of lepto is raccoons, but rodents (including hamsters, rats, etc.), and our pets can also be sources of infection. Humans contract lepto in the same manner as animals, by exposure to the bacteria into cuts or wounds, through bite wounds (saliva into a wound), and even through ingestion of an infected animal. There are many different varieties of lepto, called "serovars," with 10 serovars infecting animals. Of these 10, we are able to vaccinate dogs for four of the serovars. Infection with leptospirosis can cause fever, bruising, lameness, belly pain, eye inflammation (uveitis), kidney and liver damage, or even sudden death. If diagnosed early in the disease process, treatment with an antibiotic can be effective.
Humans can be infected with intestinal parasites, usually by exposure in an environment in which an infected animal has defecated. Our yards can harbor intestinal parasites for years after the eggs are deposited, and there are lesser thought of sources of human infection as well. As much as 20% of playground soil samples across the U.S. contain roundworm eggs. Potting soil, gardens, sandboxes, and vegetation are points of exposure for humans and animals. When a human is infected with a parasite, such as roundworms or hookworms, they can experience more than just gastrointestinal symptoms. The immature stage of these worms can travel throughout the body, affecting organs and causing a variety of symptoms. Some of the damage caused by the parasite is irreversible. Children are most at risk for parasites due to poor hygiene and lack of hand-washing. Our best line of defense from a veterinary perspective is regular deworming of our pets, routine fecal examinations, and encouraging our families to practice hand-washing after handling animals and before eating or cooking.
Rabies, leptospirosis, and intestinal parasites are not the only diseases that are passed from animals to people, but they are diseases veterinarians can help protect against through regular examinations, vaccine administration, fecal testing, and deworming. All of these measures are part of semiannual visits to your veterinarian. Veterinarians are an important part of public health and safety. We are aware of the risks in our area, and can help advise you and protect your pet from becoming a source of infection to your family. If your pet hasn't seen the vet in a while, be sure to make an appointment right now!
Information for this article was taken in part from veterinarypartner.com, wonder.cdc.gov, and agriculture.arkansas.gov.