Zoonotic Diseases in Dogs

Zoonotic diseases in dogs are those diseases which are common to dog-owners and their pets. In short, these diseases are diseases which can be transmitted from dogs to their owners and are hence dangerous. These diseases are especially common in third world countries. These zoonotic diseases can be carried by bacteria, fungi, viruses and various parasites. So it is always a good idea to keep the environment within and surrounding your house absolutely clean.

Rabies
This is a very, very common Zoonotic disease and is common not only to dogs and man, but a variety of other animals including bats, raccoons etc. transmission of this disease occurs through the bite of an infected animal. Rabies is a disease which has no cure, and till date only one person has managed o survive this disease. Signs and symptoms include aggressive behavior.

This occurs in three stages, in the first stage, the infected animal or person shows mild aggression and irritability, in the next stage, the person becomes increasingly aggressive and violent and in the last stage there is a complete loss of motor functions. A vaccine is used to prevent this disease from afflicting your dog. Every pet-owner too needs to take this vaccine.

Tick-borne diseases
If you thought that your dog is the only member of your family you have to worry about, when it comes to tick-borne diseases, and then think again. Tick-borne diseases are a very common zoonotic disease in dogs and humans are just as vulnerable to the bite of the tick as dogs are. Lyme disease, babesiosis, Rocky Mountain spotted fever are just some of the tick-borne diseases which both dogs and humans suffer from.

All these tick borne diseases have unique symptoms but one symptom which is common to all of them is fever, with the patient reaching temperatures of 103-105 degrees Fahrenheit. Treatment is accomplished by tetracycline, doxycycline etc., though every disease has its own unique treatment.

Zoonotic diseases in dogs are diseases which every dog owner should watch out for, because these diseases not only affect dogs, they also affect their owners, and if you get affected by this disease, then who will take care of your beloved dog?