- Zoonose is the term applied to a grouping of diseases that are readily transferable from canine or feline to
human.
This means you or your children can catch these diseases.
While there are several ways they can be transmitted, we are especially concerned with the diseases spread through
animal urine or feces.
- Hookworms
Hookworms enter your dog’s body in the area that directly comes in contact with the feces-contaminated soil. Seen
more commonly in the South, these parasites are unsuited to living in human beings.
Normally 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
Dogs may come in contact with this disease 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.
In humans it causes a wide range of symptoms, and some infected persons may have no symptoms at all. Symptoms
of Leptospirosis include high fever, severe headache, chills, muscle aches, and vomiting, and may include jaundice
(yellow skin and eyes), red eyes, abdominal pain, diarrhea, or a rash. If the disease is not treated, the patient could
develop kidney damage, meningitis (inflammation of the membrane around the brain and spinal cord), liver failure, and
respiratory distress. In rare cases death occurs.
Many of these symptoms can be mistaken for other diseases. Leptospirosis is confirmed by laboratory testing of a
blood or urine sample.
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 for up to a year.
These parasites are most commonly found in small children (2-4 years 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 who inadvertently put their hands in their mouth are the
most common receptors of roundworm. Only rarely fatal, the disease is usually mild though it may be long lasting.
Tapeworms
Tapeworms can easily be ingested by any dog 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 does this result in 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 while cleaning the litter box, or in contact with contaminated soil. Even though the chance of
catching it from the litter box are low, Doctors recommend that pregnant women do not clean out the cat litter box.
Preventing Pet Waste Transmitted Diseases
There are a few basic precautions everyone should take to prevent transmission of any of the above canine zoonoses.
First, clean up all pet droppings and wash your hands each time you come in contact with contaminated soil. It is
extremely important to teach children these steps.
Also, if your dog has gone wading or swimming in any water which may have become contaminated with animal urine,
bathe it at once when you return home.
Call The Pet Concierge to keep your lawn and yard clean.
We have the know how to completely pick up waste and
disinfect the area for most diseases that can be transmitted
in urine and feces. Call us now at 714-240-8961
We have the know how to completely pick up waste and
disinfect the area for most diseases that can be transmitted
in urine and feces. Call us now at 714-240-8961
| If you want to be sure your yard is safe for your family and your pets, call The Pet Concierge to keep your lawn and yard clean. We have the know how to completely pick up waste and disinfect the area for most diseases that can be transmitted in urine and feces. Call us now. |
| The Pet Concierge LLC Canine and Feline Zoonoses |
Phone: 714-240-8961
