10 Disease You Can Get From Your Pets - Tips To Prevent

Sep 28, 2018

Do you have fur babies at home? They are probably a big part of your family.

10 Diseases You Can Get from Your Pets - Tips to Prevent

Do you have fur babies at home? They are probably a big part of your family. Pets provide tons of love, attention, and entertainment. However, they can also carry dangerous and contagious bacteria. Yes, it is possible to catch certain diseases from your pets.

Thankfully, there are plenty of tips you can follow to prevent this from happening. In this guide, we'll cover the 10 conditions you should look out for and how to prevent them from spreading. After all, you don't want to lose any precious time with your furry friends.

1. Ringworm

Ringworm is a misleading name for this condition. It isn't a worm. Ringworm is a fungal infection that exists in younger pets. It isn't usual to catch it from older animals. If your kitten or puppy has this issue, it can be spread through contact with their blankets, skin, or feces.

You'll know you have ringworm when you start to see scaly red circles on your skin. They may itch or hurt. It is often treated with ointments or oral prescriptions (in serious cases). Now, to prevent it you must wash your hands regularly. It is also essential to wear gloves when coming in contact with your infected animal or their feces.

2. Tapeworm, Roundworm, and Hookworm

Roundworms are common in young pets like puppies or kitties. They must be tested and treated as soon as possible. Roundworms can cause heart, brain, and lung issues when left untreated. So, it is important to take care of it quickly. This goes for you too. You can easily catch it if you don't wash your hands after picking up their feces or soiled blankets.

Did you know their eggs can live for up to a month in soil that has been contaminated? They're often left behind when an infected animal goes to the bathroom outside. If you catch roundworm, your doctor can prescribe you something that should take care of it quickly.

Hookworms are another parasite you can catch from contaminated soil. They enter your skin's surface and it becomes infected. There are treatments for hookworm available if the condition doesn't heal by itself. However, the best treatment is always prevention. Follow the same precautions you would use with roundworms to prevent hookworm infections.

Most people have heard of tapeworms. They are a nasty parasite. Your pet can easily catch one orally through an infected flea or stool. Prevent this by keeping an eye on them to make sure they aren't eating another animal's feces.

Treat them with anti-flea medicine once a month for further prevention. If tapeworm is left untreated in you or your pet, nutritional and gastrointestinal issues will occur. Tapeworm can be treated with a prescription from your doctor.

3. Salmonellosis

Are you more of a reptile person? They can spread infections too. Reptiles are known carriers of Salmonellosis. It causes no symptoms for them, but you can experience a seriously bad week.

Symptoms show up in humans as diarrhea, vomiting, fever, and cramping. This condition is especially harmful to seniors and young children. The symptoms can last over a week in some cases.

The best way to prevent this is to keep reptiles away from your vulnerable loved ones. If you do have a pet reptile, remember to wash your hands after playing with them. It is also vital to keep their cages clean, but don't wash them in the kitchen. Salmonellosis is easily spread this way.

4. Toxoplasmosis

Toxoplasmosis causes symptoms that are similar to the flu virus. However, they can last up to two weeks! Plus, pregnant women should be especially careful since it can cause severe health problems for them or their baby.

This sickness is spread through the feces of cats. To prevent it, make sure to wash your hands thoroughly after cleaning your kitty's litter box. You may consider wearing gloves while doing it as well. If you or anyone in the home is pregnant, have someone else clean the cat box. It isn't worth the risk.

5. Parrot Fever

Parrot Fever is spread by inhaling toxins from your bird's droppings. It's also known as Psittacosis. Species of birds like parrots, macaws, and parakeets can all carry it. They may not show any symptoms, but you will. Signs of this condition include a dry cough, fever, or muscle aches.

Prevent Psittacosis by wearing a mask and gloves when you clean your feathery friend's cage. If you end up with it anyway, see your doctor for some antibiotics. They can treat it rather easily.

6. Avian Tuberculosis

This is another condition that is spread through contact with birds. It is different from human tuberculosis. Plus, it isn't as easily treated. If you have a compromised immune system, your chances of becoming infected increase significantly.

Make sure to buy your bird from a legal pet store. It should be registered as well. If you buy from an illegal bird dealer, you have a much higher chance of catching this illness.

7. Cat Scratch Fever

This condition is present in cats that are infected with fleas carrying Bartonella henselae bacteria. If your cat scratches you, the bacteria can enter the wound. You would experience symptoms like swollen lymph nodes and fever.

If you start to experience any of these symptoms, it is important to see your doctor. To prevent it in the first place, make sure to wash any cat bites or scratches with warm water and soap. It also helps to treat your feline friends monthly for fleas.

8. Leptospirosis

These bacteria can live for weeks or months in the soil. Mice, rats, squirrels, and dogs can all spread it through their feces. Dogs can catch it from contaminated soil and pass it along to you.

If you catch it, you will experience a host of uncomfortable symptoms like vomiting, rash, chills, and fever. In untreated cases, it can also cause kidney failure.

Prevent Leptospirosis by keeping your dog updated on their vaccinations. You should also try to keep your lawn free from rodents. If you do catch it, make a visit to your family doctor. A round of antibiotics should knock it out.

9. Rabies

Regular rabies vaccinations are a must, especially for outdoor pets. Animals like foxes, raccoons, and bats can all carry this infectious disease. If your pet is attacked by them, they may become infected.

If your dog bites you, the rabies virus can enter your bloodstream. Symptoms similar to the flu virus will start to show up alongside hallucinations. There aren't any real treatments available, so rabies is usually fatal to humans. If you start to notice any of these symptoms after being bitten, go to the emergency room.

10. Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis

Pet hamsters can carry this illness. It is spread through their feces and urine. Flu-like symptoms accompany this infection, but pregnant women should be especially careful. It can affect the brain development of their growing baby.

Make sure to wash your hands thoroughly after cleaning the hamster's cage. If you are pregnant, do not clean it at all. Let someone else take care of it. Though severe cases are rare, they can land you in a hospital room.

Wrap-Up

You can easily catch these conditions from your pets. However, most of them are easily treated or prevented. Cleanliness and regular vet trips are the best ways to prevent these infections from spreading. We all love our furry and scaly friends. Use these helpful tips to keep you both healthy and happy.

Did you find this article helpful? If you did, feel free to pass it along to your fellow fur parents. Knowledge is power, and prevention is key.

Our content is created to the best of our knowledge, yet it is of general nature and cannot in any way substitute an individual consultation with your doctor. Your health is important to us!