Many people are worried about their dogs with the current Swine Flu outbreak. At this point there is no evidence that your dog can catch Swine Flue. If you are going to research the internet for outbreaks, go to trusted sites like the CDC, university websites or science journals.
Illnesses that are shared between humans and animals are called zoonotic, illnesses or diseases. There are quite a few illnesses, parasites, bacteria and diseases you can share or catch from your pet.
The most dangerous in my opinion is Rabies. This deadly disease is taken too lightly by pet owners. As of March 31 2009 there have been 67 confirmed cases of rabies for 2009 in NY. If you are exposed and wait until you have symptoms, you will not survive, you will die from rabies. While working as veterinary technician in Hornell NY, I witnessed too many rabid dogs. Keep your dog up to date with his rabies vaccine. If your dog tangles with a wild animal, get him to the vet for a rabies booster. Do not get your dogs body fluids on you if he has tangled with a wild animal. Most veterinary staff are vaccinated for rabies.
The most commonly transmitted between dogs and humans are parasitic diseases or parasites such as:
Toxoplasmosis is caused by a protozoan, a one-celled parasite. Hunting cats often contract this parasite by eating small rodents, then shed the cysts in their stool. The parasite is also found in raw meat. Protect yourself by not letting your cat hunt and not feeding it raw meat. Pregnant women and persons with AIDS should wear gloves when gardening, wash thoroughly after handling raw meat, cook meat to 160 F for 15 to 30 minutes, and should not change litter-boxes.
Most all puppies are born with roundworms they get from their mother. These worms can be transmitted to people, especially children. Most roundworm infections in people are very mild and there are no symptoms, but the potential for severe illness exists. Migrating worms may damage the liver, eyes or brain. Because the eggs are transmitted in the puppy's feces, sanitation is important. Feces should be removed and disposed of. Frequent hand washing for everyone handling the puppy is also recommended. Especially children, who often put their fingers in their mouth.
Ringworm is not a worm it is a fungal infection of the skin. It can be difficult to diagnose in animals. Cats, can carry the fungus in their hair coat without showing signs of itching, scaly skin, and hair loss. In people, the classic lesion is a raised, reddened, and itchy "ring."
This is a mite burrows under the skin, and causes severe itching, scabs, and hair loss. Your veterinarian may do Skin scrapings to find and identify the mite.. In humans, a pinpoint red rash is often found on the chest and abdomen.
Giardiasis
Giardia is a water-borne protozoan, a microscopic, single-celled animal that infects the gut of both animals and humans. It is passed in the feces and can be carried in contaminated water. This is very common in the Steuben County area. I can’t count the number of cases I saw as a vet tech. You veterinarian will look at a fecal sample under a microscope to diagnose this. In people left un treated it can cause liver ulcers. I know, I have been there. This is also spread by fecal oral contact.
Bacterial infections can usually be shared between you and your pets. For example Bacterial pneumonia and streptococcal infections (strep throat) .
Below is a partial list of things you and your pet can share. Don’t glance at the list and jump to conclusions. For example there have only been 65 cases reported of Bordetella transmitted to humans since 1911. Do the research, you’ll be surprised what you learn.
You can find out more information about these here http://vetmedicine.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?zi=1/XJ/Ya&sdn=vetmedicine&zu=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.vetmed.wisc.edu%2Fpbs%2Fzoonoses%2Fsnow64.html
You can also find information on the CDC’s web site http://www.cdc.gov/index.htm
For information about what you can catch from your cat try Cornell University http://www.vet.cornell.edu/fhc/brochures/ZoonoticDisease.html
Please note that the list below includes food born illnesses. Your pets can get food poisoning too.