What you can catch your pet: Skin Diseases Dogs, cats and small mammals such as rabbits or Guinea pigs are popular companions for many people, often sharing their home environment. Being in close contact, it is perhaps inevitable that sometimes disease is transmitted from pets to their owners. Although the diseases discussed in this article can affect any person, immunocompromised individuals such as infants, the elderly or those who are HIV + must be very careful. This article focuses on skin diseases of dogs and cats that may pose a risk to their owners.
In fact, given the large number of people interacting closely with small animals on a daily basis, the overall risk of contracting the disease from an animal disease of the skin is remarkably low. In general, keeping pets clean, free of parasites and in good health and good personal and domestic hygiene such as washing hands, will minimize the risk of catching a disease from your pet. However, persons belonging to categories of risk (immunocompromised people) need more specific advice.
The increase in travel for pets, breeders and the presence of supply stocks abroad, said the risk of exposure to new diseases, a bit larger. The skin diseases most commonly transmitted to humans that occur in dogs and cats are sarcoptic mange (scabies), cheyletiellosis (mite infestation), fleas and ringworm (tinea). In general, young and newly acquired animals, especially those of animal shelters, are most likely to be affected by these diseases. Below we examine each of these diseases more closely.
Flea Infestation
Since the tank is especially fleas in the environment, and jump on people from there, one could argue that this is not strictly transmitted from animals. However, it is introduced into the house through the animal and therefore falls into this category.
The chip also feeds on humans and can cause significant hypersensitivity reaction in some people. In addition, fleas can transmit other diseases, such as cat scratch disease (Bartonella henselae), tapeworm (Dipylidium caninum) and plague (Yersinia pestis). fight against fleas with regular spot on veterinary recommended treatment is to maintain the population on the environment of small chips, and minimize the risk of bites.
Sarcoptic Mange
This is caused by the mite Sarcoptes scabiei, and can affect a number of species. Different strains of the mites tend to prefer different species, and most common, which affects dogs and foxes was only about 20 per cent chance of transmission to humans. prolonged skin to skin is the main route of transmission of the disease presenting as an itchy rash with small red spots. Usually the disease in humans will clear itself once the dog has been treated appropriately with a medicated shampoo or spot on drugs. Sometimes, people may need their own treatment well. It is very important to treat all dogs in contact as well. Unlike fleas, these mites do not tend to survive long in the environment so reinfection is rare once the dog has been treated.
Cheyletiellosis
This can be taken by dogs, cats and small mammals such as rabbits or Guinea pigs. The mites can survive in the environment for several days. Humans are infected only transiently, and develop itchy spots. Proper treatment of the infected animal, and decides to communicate with animals, the problem.
Dermatophytosis (ringworm)
This is actually a type of fungus, not a worm as its name indicates. The most common type in dogs and cats is Microsporum canis. Transmission is usually by direct contact, but the spores can remain infective in the environment for many months. Dogs and cats can be carriers of the disease without showing any signs of themselves, while acting as a source o.
Posted on April 27, 2010.