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Dogs, when not properly cared for, can be reservoirs of bacteria, viruses and parasites that can be transmitted to people through licking or biting or through the release of the infectious agent in their feces. Therefore, it is important that the puppies are periodically taken to the veterinarian to have a vaccine, be evaluated and dewormed, thus avoiding infection and transmission of diseases to people.
The infections most often acquired by dogs and which can be easily transmitted to people are rabies, ringworm, larva migrans and leptospirosis, which, although the transmission of this disease from rat urine is more frequent, dogs can also be infected by leptospirosis bacteria and transmit to people.
The main diseases that can be transmitted by the infected dog are:
1. Ringworm
Ringworm is a disease caused by fungi and can be transmitted by direct contact with the hair of the infected animal, causing reddish spot on the skin and intense itching, for example.
What to do: In case of ringworm, it is recommended that the person go to the general practitioner or dermatologist to identify the fungus and, thus, start treatment with the most appropriate antifungal medicine.
2. Leptospirosis
Leptospirosis is an infectious disease caused by a bacterium that can be found in the urine or feces of animals, such as mice, cats and dogs, for example. Leptospirosis is a serious disease and can be noticed through the appearance of some symptoms, such as headache, leg pain, body pain and liver impairment, for example.
What to do: If the person has had contact with contaminated water in floods, puddles or damp soil, for example, it is important to go to the doctor so that the diagnosis can be made and antibiotic treatment can be started, such as Doxycycline or Penicillin.
3. Lyme disease
Lyme disease is caused by the tick bite that can be present in domestic animals, especially in dogs, resulting in severe itching at the site of the bite and the appearance of a red or whitish spot on the site.
What to do: If the person has been bitten by a tick, it is recommended that they go to the hospital for the diagnosis to be made and treatment to begin. The treatment recommended by the doctor consists of using antibiotics for about 2 to 4 weeks, it is important that the treatment is continued even in the absence of symptoms.
In addition, even if the flea bite of well-kept animals may not transmit disease, it can cause a lot of discomfort on the skin. Usually this type of bite causes a small red spot on the skin with a whitish center that itches a lot. Although no specific treatment is necessary, the skin should always be kept clean and, if the discomfort is too much, consult the doctor to apply a corticosteroid ointment, for example.
4. Larva migrans
The larva migrans corresponds to the presence of larvae in the body that penetrate the skin and cause different symptoms according to their location. These larvae can be found on the beach, parks and gardens, for example, which are environments in which dog feces can be found.
Some dogs have infection by species of Ancylostoma sp. or Toxocara sp., without any symptoms. As a result of this infection, eggs are released in the feces and the larva leaves the environment, which can penetrate the skin and cause path-shaped wounds, fever, abdominal pain, cough and difficulty seeing, for example. Learn to recognize the symptoms of dog worm infection.
What to do: In these cases it is recommended to avoid walking barefoot on the street, sand and parks, for example, in addition to taking the dog periodically to the vet to be dewormed. In addition, the doctor usually recommends the use of antiparasitic remedies, like Albendazole or Mebendazole, for example, to fight infection in people.
5. Anger
Human rabies is a disease transmitted by viruses that can be present in the saliva of dogs, being transmitted to people through bites. Despite being more frequent transmission by dogs, the disease can also be transmitted by cats, bats and raccoons, for example.
Human rabies is characterized by impairment of the nervous system, causing muscle spasms and intense salivation, for example. See what the symptoms of human rabies are.
What to do: It is recommended that the person wash the area bitten by the dog well and go directly to the nearest hospital or emergency room so that the rabies vaccine is administered and appropriate treatment can be started, preventing the progression of the disease .
6. Infection byCapnocytophaga canimorsus
THE Capnocytophaga canimorsus is a bacterium that can be found in the mouth of some dogs and be transmitted to people through the dog's saliva, either through licking or biting, for example.
This type of infection is rare, however it can result in fever, vomiting, diarrhea, the appearance of blisters around the wound or the site of licking and muscle and joint pain, for example. It is important that the infection is identified and treated quickly, as it can develop rapidly and result in death in just 24 hours. Know how to identify infection byCapnocytophaga canimorsus.
What to do: It is important that after licking or biting the animal, the region is properly cleaned with soap and water and the person goes to the doctor for tests to be done and treatment can be started, if necessary. Treatment of infection byCapnocytophaga canimorsus it is usually done with the use of antibiotics, such as Penicillin, Ampicillin and Cephalosporins, being important to use as directed by the doctor.
When it is necessary to go to the vet
Sometimes dogs can lick or bite for several minutes in a row, and this can be a sign of parasites on the skin, allergy or hormonal changes, requiring investigation to identify the cause of this behavior. For this, it is important to take the dog to the vet so that tests can be performed and the diagnosis can be made.
Another very characteristic sign, which can indicate the presence of intestinal worms in the dog, is when the animal sits on the ground and crawls, to scratch.
Tips to avoid dog-borne diseases
Some useful tips to avoid dog-borne diseases are:
- Take good care of the dog, vaccinating it and taking it to the veterinarian whenever it presents any alteration in the coat, skin or behavior;
- Bathe the dog twice a month or every 2 months, depending on the dog's life habits;
- Apply a remedy for fleas or ticks, indicated by the veterinarian;
- Perform an intestinal deworming every 6 months, or as instructed by the veterinarian;
- Have good hygiene practices such as washing your hands with soap and water after touching and playing with the dog;
- Do not let the dog lick his wounds or his mouth;
- Properly clean the area where the dog lives.
- Be careful when handling the animal's feces, using gloves or a plastic bag when picking it up, throwing the feces in the trash or the toilet, and then washing your hands afterwards.
The veterinarian should be consulted regularly, as some diseases may not cause any immediate changes in animals, but they can be transmitted to humans. Here's how to wash your hands properly after handling feces or touching the dog to prevent illness: