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Zoonoses is the term applied to a grouping of diseases that are transferable from canine/feline to human. Basically, these fall into three groupings based on their means of transmission. This also groups them, ideally,in the means of treatment and control. The three groupings are as follows -spread through :1) urine or feces, 2) hair and skin contact, or 3)bites and scratches.

Spread through Urine or Feces
Hookworms

Hookworms enter the body in the area that directly comes in contact with the feces-
contanimated soil. Seen more commonly in the South, these parasites are unsuited
to ideally live in human beings. Traditionally they die after crawling several inches
underneath the surface layer of the skin. Inflammation usually occurs as a result of
these parasites in humans and causes a condition called “creeping eruption” which
may last several weeks or months depending on its severity.

Leptospirosis

Pets may come in contact with this through swimming, drinking, licking their fur, or
by eating food contaminated with animal urine. Many animals may carry this,
though rats are most often the culprit.
Symptoms in humans are flu-like including chills, body aches, vomiting, fever and
headache. Sometimes kidney damage may occur or the membranes covering the
spinal cord or brain may become inflamed. This disease is not usually fatal though it
does make its host miserable for weeks at a time.

Roundworms

If these parasites are swallowed by humans they migrate into the body tissues and
may cause damage, including symptoms of fever and liver enlargement which can
last up to a year in length including symptoms of fever and liver enlargement which
can last up to a year in length.
These parasites are most commonly found in small children(2-4 yrs. of age) who
mistakenly swallow the eggs and become infected. Children playing in an area in
which an animal has defecated in the past, who do not wash their hands after
coming in contact with the eggs and inadvertently sticks their hands into their
mouth are the most common receptors of roundworm. Only rarely fatal, the disease
is traditionally mild though it may be long lasting.

Tapeworms

Tapeworms can easily be ingested by any pet who swallows a flea carrying the
infected form when biting at or chewing their coat. Children may get it virtually the
same way- minus the coat chewing. Tapeworm infestation in humans this way is
actually quite rare when compared to infestation from eating undercooked pork or
beef.

Toxoplasmosis

Rarely this may cause death in humans since most people develop a resistance to it
during normal exposure. It can cause many types of birth deformities in children
born to mothers who have been infected for the first time without having developed
an immunity before becoming pregnant. Most commonly this is “picked up” through
contact with infected cat feces or in contact with contaminated soil.

Prevention of Waste Transmitted Diseases

There are a few basic precautions everyone should take to prevent transmission of
any of the fore-mentioned diseases. First, clean up all pet droppings and wash your
hands each time you any come in contact with contaminated soil. It is extremely
important to teach children these steps. Also, if your pet has gone wading or
swimming in any water which may have become contaminated with animal urine,
bathe it at once when you return home.
Spread through Skin/Hair Contact
Fleas
Fleas prefer feeding on your pets though they will not turn up the chance of of
making an occasional meal on humans as well.

Ringworm

Most commonly found in children(though anyone may be infected), this is caused by
a skin/hair eating fungus which first appears on people as a round, red, scaly area.
It grows outward in a circular formation and is the most common fungal disease
currently reported.

Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever

Tick borne, this disease can cause symptoms such as fever, chills and headache
though it is not usually fatal. Symptoms may last many weeks and it can be treated
with antibiotics.
Most commonly it is transmitted through the bite of an infected tick. Also, you may
become infected while pulling a tick off your pet . It is best to wear gloves when
removing ticks.
Scabies
The less commonly found version of mange(as opposed to the demodetic version),
this may still cause intense itching, irritation and thickening of the skin. Animal
mange may live in human skin though it cannot reproduce there. Humans have their
own version of the scabies mite.

Prevention of Skin/Hair Contact Diseases

Overall, proper nutritional care and health of your pet is the best defense against
the chance of your pet harboring any of these diseases. Frequent grooming and
herbal repellents are good choices in combating most of these problems before they
become major. Stress, roaming and contact with other pets are the three most
common points of transmission among the previous diseases.
Wash your hands after pet contact and minimize contact with any infected pet until
the problem is cured.

Diseases Caused by Bites and Scratches

Cat Scratch Fever

Some people will develop a fever, enlarged lymph nodes and malaise near the area
of a bite or scratch from a cat a few weeks after the occurrence. Though not fatal it
can be very uncomfortable and can be followed by complications. Infected cat bites
may become infected with an entirely different bacteria though the symptoms are
similar.
Probably best, is to thoroughly wash an area bitten or scratched by a cat and to
clean it liberally on a frequent basis to prevent, hopefully, infection.

Rabies

Virtually 100% fatal once the clinical symptoms appear, this disease is carried by a
virus transmitted through the saliva of an infected biting animal. Symptoms include
frothing at the mouth, extreme behavioral/personality changes and convulsions
which usually ends in the aggressive, staggering and bleary- eyed condition.
If you happen upon an animal showing any of these symptoms, get away from it as
quickly as possible and call your nearest animal control unit. If by chance you are
bitten, try to follow it to where it lives(if it is a stray)so that the proper officials may
capture it for testing. If you do kill it, do not injure the head as this will be needed
for verification. Also, if you are bitten by an animal exhibiting any of the symptoms
above, thoroughly wash out the wound as quickly as possible and contact your
personal physician. Overall, your chances of getting rabies are rare though you can
never be over cautious.

Prevention of Bite and Scratch Transmitted Diseases

Best advice,keep your pet in tip-top physical condition through exercise and proper
nutrition to reduce its chances of picking up any parasites from less healthy
animals. Also, try to minimize your pets contact with wild animals or sick pets.

Article written and reprinted with permission of: http://www.pedigreedpups.com/
Purebred Dogs, Puppies and Dog Breeders - “Your New Best Friend”

Copyright 2005. All rights reserved.

Debbie Ray, the owner of http://www.pedigreedpups.com, is a life-long dog owner
and breeder of german shepherd dogs for over the past 15 years.