If your pet gets sick, you may worry that you or your child may catch the same illness.
As well, you might worry about your pet catching an illness from you.
Some illnesses that affect pets that do not affect humans include the following.
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None of these are transmitted to humans but can be very contagious to other dogs or cats.
It generally does not affect humans, but those with respiratory disease or immune compromise might be infected.
It is because of a variety of bacteria and viruses acting in sequence or together.
Some of these illnesses will make your pet sick as well, but some will not.
These are known aszoonotic diseases.
Very rarely, human bird flu infections have happened after exposure to other infected animals.
Tick-Borne Infections
Animals getLyme diseasefrom ticks, just like humans do.
It is triggered by the bacteriaBorrelia burgdorferi, which is transmitted by the bite of the tick.
Mange or Scabies
These conditions are brought on by mites.
Well-fed and well-kept cats rarely get mange or scabies, but it is much more common in dogs.
The symptoms include severe itching, skin irritation, and hair loss in dogs as well as humans.
It should be treated as soon as possible to prevent secondary infections.
Toxoplasmosisis because of a parasite and has been found in virtually all warm-blooded animals.
Cats make the perfect host for the parasite that causes the most serious infections.
As many as a third of adults have been infected with the disease and are immune to it.
It causes no serious threat to healthy, non-pregnant humans.
It is also commonly found on reptiles that are kept as pets.
It is rare, but when it occurs, it typically causes cellulitis at the site of injury.
It is extremely important to have your pets vaccinated against rabies.
If you or your pet is bitten by another animal, seek medical attention immediately.
Cat scratches may also transmit a fungal infection called sporotrichosis.
This is seen more in people who handle many cats, like veterinarians and groomers.
There are a few other human diseases you might give to your pet as well.
This is known as “reverse zoonosis.”
The risk of pets spreading COVID-19 to people is low.
Humans are believed to be the cause of the infections.
While formerly a common childhood disease,mumpsis now prevented in humans who get the MMR vaccine.
It could be a concern in communities where vaccination rates are low.
These include the bacteriaCampylobacterandSalmonellaand the parasiteGiardia.
As in humans, these may cause diarrhea in cats and dogs, or they may have no symptoms.
A Word From Verywell
Pets are great companions, but it is important to keep them healthy.
ensure their shots are up-to-date and they are well cared for.
You will keep them and your family healthier that way.
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