Mary Allen
We did some research into contagiousness, which is a dog-to-human and human-to-dog communicable disease.
When two- and four-legged friends lead a life together, they often get quite close. The fact that microorganisms and communicable diseases are also exchanged here (in addition to tokens of love) does not seem surprising.
However, these can sometimes be pathogens. How can dogs and humans become infected? And more importantly, how can it be prevented?
For your information: Infectious diseases that can be transmitted between humans and animals are called zoonoses. On the one hand, you can get infected with them directly. When they come into contact with infected people, their pathogenic microorganisms can migrate.
On the other hand, an infection can also take place indirectly, through so-called vectors. These are disease vectors that have infected a host – a dog or human, for example – and spread from there to others. Typical vectors are ticks or mosquitoes. In this case, the host, usually our four-legged friend, is not directly responsible for an infection, but nevertheless ensures transmission.
Germs & Risk Groups
There are many zoonotic pathogens. They range from viruses and bacteria to fungi and parasites. Some of them can cause serious diseases . For many, however, the consequences are more unpleasant than worrying.
Nevertheless, there are people who are particularly susceptible to infection. The risk group includes children, pregnant women and the elderly as well as anyone with a weak immune system . They should be taken care of more.
However, one thing should be said: In general, humans and dogs do not pose a serious health risk to one another. Infections are possible, but not the norm. Two-legged and four-legged friends are more often infected by their own kind.
Humans in particular pose few health risks. “The biggest problem for the dog is definitely overfeeding,” says veterinarian Eva Mlacnik with a wink.
Cold, Flu & Influenza
Colds and flu infections are always high season. However, the experts surveyed agree: there is no risk of infection for the dog!
But the real flu also occurs in dogs. The influenza viruses H3N8 and H3N2, as the dog flu pathogens are called, cannot be transmitted to humans, but caution is still required!
According to cell researcher Judith Secklehner from Imperial College London, humans can transmit the virus from infected dogs to healthy ones. The viruses survive in clothing for up to a day.
Anyone who has had contact with sick dogs should wash their hands carefully and change their clothes.
What Creeps & Flees
When it comes to dog-human zoonoses , one quickly thinks of parasites. In fact, certain species of fleas, mites, worms, and ticks are more or less likely to be transmitted to humans. “A human infestation of dogs with parasites does not actually occur with normal Central European hygiene standards,” says Herbert Auer from MedUni Vienna. For four-legged friends there is the all-clear here; Master and mistress can at least take precautions!
Worms
“Among the parasitic zoonoses, the dog roundworm probably plays the most important role,” says Herbert Auer from MedUni Vienna. It is transmitted (to humans and other animals) via dog faeces. After a few weeks in the air, larvae develop in it, which can get into the mouth and body via unwashed wild strawberries, dirty hands and the like.
When dog roundworm develops, the most common symptoms are pain in the pit of the stomach and jaundice. The situation is similar with the fox or dog tapeworm, both of which can occur in dogs. With these worm diseases, however, the droppings are immediately infectious and do not require any maturing time.
However, according to Auer, transmissions to humans are much rarer. Infections can be prevented by washing our hands regularly and deworming our four-legged friends periodically.
It is also important to consistently clear away the dog poop – even when walking in the woods or meadows! Veterinarian Eva Mlacnik adds: “When barfing is done , the best thing to do is deworm monthly!”
Mites & Fleas
Cheyletiella and sarcoptes mites, also known as fur and burrow mites, are the most prominent defectors among them. Like the dog flea, they live on the skin or in the fur of dogs and can get to them through contact with owners transfer.
In humans, they cause soft flakes of skin and punctures that show up as small red dots. The symptoms usually appear on the parts of the body where the dog and owner touch when cuddling. Veterinarian Eva Mlacnik reassures: “Basically, transmissions to humans are not the rule. However, it is very easy to take precautions: by regularly administering parasite prophylaxis!”
Curious: Caries is Also Contagious!
Unbelievable but true: caries pathogens can be transmitted. Especially when discarded toothbrushes are reactivated for the four-legged friend. Matthias Eberspächer-Schweda from Vetmed Vienna therefore advises: “Use your own toothbrush that is not used for Bello! This saves money and, above all, pain.
Ticks
Ticks – among them especially the common wood tick – infest humans and dogs alike. If a tick has attached itself, it does not pose a risk of transmission. If this has not already happened, it could be transmitted from one to the other. “However, it is not the norm, because we usually get ticks in nature,” says Mlacnik.
Ticks are hardly dangerous for dogs anyway: the TBE virus shows no symptoms in them. Veterinarian Eva Mlacnik has an important tip for removing ticks from dogs: “Never remove them with your hands, always use tick tweezers! This is the only way people can protect themselves from a Borrelia infection!
Rabies
The most well-known zoonosis is rabies. It is a viral infection transmitted through the saliva of infected creatures. The virus usually gets under the skin through a bite. Contact of saliva with mucous membranes can also cause infection. This can be prevented by vaccination !
Mushrooms
Fungus-related zoonoses are extremely rare in our latitudes. Two species that can be transmitted from dogs to owners are Trichophyton and Microsporum canis.
The former usually occurs in hunting dogs (in the face area) and triggers red, round skin lesions. Children and immunocompromised people should be careful here: scars can form in them during the healing process. Otherwise, however, the fungal infections are not particularly dangerous and can be easily treated.
Salmonella & Listeria
Bacteria such as salmonella and listeria usually develop in animal foods and trigger unpleasant gastrointestinal upsets. They can also be transmitted between dog and owner in outbreaks. In the event of an infection, the following applies: keep your distance, wash your hands and do not
exchange kisses!
However, veterinarian Eva Mlacnik points out that dogs are less dangerous for transmission than cats. When grooming, they spread the bacteria over the entire coat with their tongues. Contact with the dog is therefore less of a risk here.
Contagion Prevention
- Regular hand washing
- Regular deworming treatments
- Regular administration of parasite prophylaxis
- Tick removal only with pliers
- Consistent clearing of dog poop
- In suspicious cases go straight to the doctor