Can a human get a dog disease

Lyme Disease in Dogs: Symptoms, Tests, Treatment, and Prevention

Lyme disease, also known as Lyme borreliosis, is a bacterial illness that can be transmitted to humans, dogs, and other animals by certain species ofticks. It is caused by the spiral-shaped bacteriumBorrelia burgdorferi, whichis carried inside a tick and gets into a dog or persons bloodstream through a tick bite. Once in the bloodstream, the bacteria can travel to different parts of the body and cause problems in specific organs or locations, such as joints, as well as overall illness.

Given the seriousness of Lyme disease, its important to be aware of tick prevention and treatment for dogs.

Where Do Ticks Live?

The ticks that carry Lyme disease are especially likely to be found in tall grasses, thick brush, marshes, and woods waiting to latch onto your dog when they pass by. A tick can transmit the disease once it has been attached to a dog for 24 to 48 hours.

First named when a number of cases occurred in Lyme, Connecticut, in 1975, the disease can be hard to detect and can cause serious, ongoing health problems in both dogs and people.

Lyme disease happens in every state, but infection risks vary. Over 95% of cases are from the Northeast, the Upper Midwest, and the Pacific Coast, although with recent changes in deforestation, migrating deer, and bird populations, percentage rates in these areas are constantly changing.

A small number of cases crop up each year along the West Coast, especially in Northern California. In Canada, Lyme-positive dogs are found mostly in southern Ontario and southern Manitoba. A smaller number of cases are reported each year in southern Quebec and the Maritime Provinces.

How Do Ticks Get on People and Dogs?

Ticks dont jump or flythey can only crawl. They get onto their host by waiting at the tips of vegetation. When a dog or person brushes against a bush, for example, the tick quickly grabs on and then crawls to find a place to bite.

What Are the Symptoms of Lyme Disease in Dogs?

Lyme disease is, unfortunately, a fairly common canine disease.Typical symptoms in dogs include:

• Fever
• Loss of appetite
• Reduced energy
• Lameness (can be shifting, intermittent, and recurring)
• Generalized stiffness, discomfort, or pain
• Swelling of joints

Symptoms can progress to kidney failure in dogs, which can be fatal. Serious cardiac and neurological effects can also occur.

The primary carrier of Lyme disease is the black-legged tick (Ixodes scapularis), also called the deer tick or bear tick. The tick acquires the Lyme disease bacterium when it feeds on an animal that has been infected, such as a mouse, deer, or another mammal, and then transmits the bacterium to the next animal it feeds on. Image: CDC

How Are Dogs Tested for Lyme Disease?

Diagnosis is made by a combination of history, physical signs, and diagnostics. For dogs, the two blood tests for diagnosing Lyme disease are called the C6 Test and Quant C6 test. Veterinarians perform both.

The C6 test detects antibodies against a protein called C6. Presence of the antibodies suggests an active Lyme infection. The C6 antibodies can be detected three to five weeks after an infected tick bites a dog and may be found in the bloodstream, even before the dog shows signs of illness.

The next step is to do a Quant C6 test. This, along with urinalysis, will help determine if antibiotic treatment is necessary.

How Is Lyme Disease Treated?

Treatment includes antibiotics, usually for at least 30 days. This often resolves symptoms quickly, but in some cases, the infection will persist and prolonged medication may be needed. Treatment can also include other therapies aimed at resolving or relieving specific symptoms.

Can I Catch Lyme Disease From My Dog?

Dogs are not a direct source of infection for people. Lyme disease cant be transmitted from one pet to another, nor from pets to humans, except through tick bites. However, a carrier tick could come into your house on your dogs fur and get on you.

If your dog is diagnosed with Lyme disease, you and any other pets have probably been in the same outdoor environment and may also be at risk. So it is a good idea to consult with your physician and veterinarian to see whether you should test other pets or family members.

Other Canine Diseases Carried by Ticks

Other less commonbut seriousbacterial tick-borne diseases in dogs include anaplasmosisandbabesiosis.

Anaplasmosis can involve symptoms similar to those of Lyme disease. Babesiosis can present with a wide range of symptoms, from sudden and severe shock, high fever, and dark urine to a slowly progressing infection with more subtle clinical signs. Diagnosis of both diseases includes blood tests similar to those used to check for Lyme disease.

Sometimes, dogs and people can become sick with co-infection of multiple tick-borne diseases, where more than one type of disease-causing bacteria is transmitted through a tick bite. This situation can make diagnosis and treatment even more challenging and difficult.

Preventing Lyme Disease and Other Tick-borne Illnesses

Recommendations onpreventing ticksinclude these from Dr. Jerry Klein, Chief Veterinary Officer for the AKC:

• Inspect your dogs and yourself daily for ticks. After walks through the woods or grassy settings, check yourself and your dog for ticks. When inspecting your dog for ticks, look especially on the feet (and between toes), on lips, around eyes, ears (and inside ears), near the anus, and under the tail.
• Remove ticks immediately. The quicker you find them, the less likely your dog will be to contract a secondary illness related to tick bites.Learn the proper method of removing ticks from dogs. Invest in a pair of fine tweezers designed to remove ticks. If you are unable to do so, consult with a veterinarian.
• Ask your veterinarian to conduct a tick check at each exam. Theyll be able to find any you may have missed.
• Use one of the veterinary-approved flea and tick preparations to prevent ticks from jumping on your dog. Speak to your veterinarian to find the product thats most appropriate for your dog.
• Keep grass mowed as short as possible. Avoid walking into grassy patches in areas where ticks are common if you can.
• Get your dog vaccinated. Vaccination could prevent your dog from getting Lyme disease. They may not be appropriate for some dogs, so discuss this with your vet.

What kind of STDs can you get from dogs? Heres What to Expect

Can A Dog Get An STD From A Human?

Yes, dogs can get STDs from humans. The most common STD that dogs can get from humans is Brucellosis, which is a bacterial infection that can be passed through sexual contact, contaminated food or water, or contact with infected bodily fluids.

Spay/neuter procedures can be an effective preventative measure for puppies and mature dogs that are not already infected. Like Brucellosis, canine herpes is mainly a concern among dog breeders. Unlike the Brucellosis bacteria, the kind of herpes that affects dogs is species specific, and cannot be passed to humans. There is neither a vaccine nor a cure for the herpes virus in dogs.

Homeless, stray, feral, or wild dogs are at the highest risk for all manner of medical maladies. It is little surprise that the effects of all three of these dog STDs are felt most by the most vulnerable and least cared for dog populations. Whether youre a proponent of early spay/neuter procedures or prefer the traditional six-month date, having your dog fixed can help prevent them contracting one of these sinister conditions.

Of the three canine STDs, only Brucellosis is zoonotic, meaning it can be spread from dog to human. The CDC says that Brucellosis in humans usually happens from exposure to unpasteurized dairy, and that the chance of human-to-dog transmission is rare. It can happen, though, in those rare instances when people who have regular contact with pregnant dogs specifically vets, veterinary assistants, or dog breeders handle or come into physical contact with infected bodily fluids or tissues after pregnant dogs give birth. Even then, theyd have not only to be not wearing proper protective gear but also be immunocompromised themselves.

Unlike the two STDs weve covered so far, CTVT, or canine transmissible venereal tumors are neither caused by bacteria nor viruses. CTVT is an infectious form of cancer. The pinkish or reddish mature growths themselves are infectious agents, which spread from dog to dog through licking, direct contact with body fluids from open sores, or during intercourse if the disease is still internal.

The dog variety of the herpes virus, also called CHV, might be the most widespread of all dog STDs. PetMD estimates that up to 70 per cent of all dogs may carry the virus, though the majority of that number have it in a latent or dormant form. As with Brucellosis, though, symptomatic dogs are intact, but mostly wild or feral. Still, infections in sexually active dogs mean that breeding populations are still at some risk. Also known as fading puppy syndrome, its effects are most pronounced and fatal in puppies from birth to four weeks of age, who can contract the viral infection in the womb or shortly after birth.

Canine Transmissible Venereal Tumor (Transmissible Cancer Tumors)

Transmissible Venereal Tumor is a type of cancer that can be passed from dog to dog through sexual contact. This disease is most commonly spread through mating, but it can also be spread through contact with contaminated urine or blood.

There is no cure for Transmissible Venereal Tumor, but it can be treated with surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation.

Can Dogs Get Sexually Transmitted Diseases? | Wag!

Have you ever wondered can dogs get STDs? Well, wonder no more! In this blog post, we will explore the shocking truth about canine STDs.

Dog STDs are a real and growing problem, so its important to be aware of the risks and take steps to protect your pet. In fact, there are a few different types of STDs that dogs can get, and some of them are quite serious.

If you own a dog, its important to learn about these diseases and how to protect your pet from them. So read on to learn more about dog STDs and what you can do to keep your pooch safe.Table Of Contents

Giardia in Dogs and Giardiasis: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment

I first heard about Giardia in dogs when I was living in the Caribbean. Giardia was very common on the island where we were staying, and as I was researching what I needed to do to protect myself against the dangerous parasite, I discovered that my dogs were also at risk of contracting Giardia infection.

After speaking with my vet, I realized that Giardia is found all over the world, including in the U.S. My vet told me not to panic. Luckily, there are many things dog owners can do to prevent their dogs from becoming infected with this unpleasant parasite. Here are the facts about Giardia in dogs you need to know to keep your dogs safe.

What Is Giardia?

Giardia is a single-celled parasite that inhabits the intestines of mammals, birds, and amphibians. There are several different assemblages (the scientific term used to describe the many subspecies of this parasite). Each assemblage targets a specific group of animals, but all Giardia assemblages have the same life cycle and mode of transmission.

The lifecycle of Giardia has two stages. The mature parasites, or trophozoites, live in the small intestine, where they multiply and eventually become cysts. Cysts are the infective stage and are shed into the feces of the infected animal. They can survive for several weeks in the environment as cysts, and when they are ingested by an unsuspecting host (like a dog), they turn into trophozoites and repeat the life cycle.

How Is Giardia in Dogs Spread?

Your dog has to ingest Giardia in order for them to get the parasite. This can happen by drinking water that has been contaminated by feces or by eating something that has been contaminated by feces, like grass. Since dogs love to chew on things, there are plenty of ways your dog can pick up the parasite, whether it is by chewing on a stick, eating poop, or drinking from a puddle.

Once the parasite is in your dogs intestines, your dog can spread the parasite, even if they dont show any signs of infection. This is worrisome, especially if you have more than one pet in your household. While transmission from dogs to cats and cats to dogs is unlikely, the transmission from dog to dog is certainly a cause for concern. If one of your pets is diagnosed as having a Giardia infection, talk to your vet about the steps you need to take to protect your other pets.

What Does Giardia in Dogs Do?

Giardia in dogs does not always cause problems, but when it does, the results can be highly unpleasant. Giardiasis is the term for the disease caused by the Giardia infection. Just as in humans, the most common symptom of giardiasis is diarrhea.

The parasite decreases your dogs ability to properly absorb nutrients, water, and electrolytes, which leads to diarrhea and weight loss. Diarrhea can be irregular or continual, especially in puppies. Failure to diagnose and treat the disease can lead to severe weight loss and even death in extreme cases. The disease is particularly dangerous for puppies, senior dogs, and dogs with compromised immune systems.

Symptoms of Giardia Infection in Dogs

The best way to determine whether your dog has giardiasis or another condition is to call your vet. However, there are several symptoms of Giardia infection in dogs that dog owners should be aware of.

These symptoms include:

Treatment for Giardiasis in Dogs

If you notice that your dog is having diarrhea, call your vet. Your vet will probably conduct several diagnostic tests to determine if your dog has giardiasis. If your dog is diagnosed with giardiasis, depending on the severity of the case, your vet will discuss a treatment plan tailored to your dogs needs. They may prescribe drugs to kill the Giardia parasite.

Preventing Giardiasis in Dogs

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, the saying goes, and this is certainly true when it comes to Giardia. While we cant always control every aspect of our dogs environment, there are some things owners can do to prevent Giardia infection in dogs.

The most important thing is to make sure your dog has access to fresh, clean water at all times in a bowl off the ground. This will reduce the chances of dogs lapping up water from infected puddles and is also vital for your dogs general health. If you live in a place where Giardia is present in the tap water, purchase a filter that is proven to remove Giardia cysts from the water. You can also boil your dogs water. Boiling water will kill the cysts, but remember to let it cool before offering it to your dog!

The other important preventative action you can take is paying attention to general hygiene. Pick up after your dog as soon as possible. This will prevent cysts from entering the environment and will also make your yard a healthier place for dogs and people.

You can also take care not to bring your dog to places where there are large amounts of dog feces, as this will limit the possibility of exposure. Boarding and training facilities that take the necessary steps to clean and disinfect runs and yards are less likely to have Giardia, along with a number of other unpleasant parasites.

Is Giardia Contagious to Humans?

Nobody wants to get giardiasis. Luckily, the odds of dogs infecting humans with Giardia are relatively low, although it can happen. Wearing disposable gloves while handling dog poop, and washing your hands thoroughly after, will reduce the already low risk even further. This practice is also a good idea in general.

Giardia in humans is commonly transmitted through drinking water, not by our pets. Avoid drinking contaminated water, especially while traveling, and consider buying a water filter if your water source is known to contain the parasite. Giardia can also be present on food and in soil, so wash all produce before eating and wash your hands after working with dirt.

Giardia is a highly unpleasant parasite that your dogs regular flea and tick preventatives and heartworm preventatives do not protect them from. Thankfully, there are steps you can take to help prevent giardiasis in dogs. For more information about this disease, talk to your vet.