What kind of viruses do dogs get

That being said, your chance of contracting a zoonotic illness does increase if you have a compromised immune system due to a pre-existing disease or medical condition.

Examples include:. It just means that you need to be extra cautious around your pet. Besides, there are a lot of studies out there that have proven that the benefits of having a pet, especially if suffering from chronic illness, are immeasurable. In fact, sometimes doctors actually recommend pets for their sick patients. Make sure you use that pooper-scooper! Read below for more tips to keep yourself safe from zoonotic diseases. Dog flu cases range from mild to severe and, unlike human influenzas, are not seasonal.

Keep an eye out for the following symptoms year-round:. Dog flu symptoms resemble kennel cough symptoms, which is also an illness you should talk to your veterinarian about as soon as you notice symptoms.

Most cases of dog flu are mild, but severe cases do occur. In those instances, dogs develop pneumonia, difficulty breathing, and a high fever. Luckily, the mortality rate is relatively low, with less than 10 percent of dog flu cases resulting in fatalities. The canine influenza virus requires the attention of a veterinarian. In some states, vets are required to report cases of canine influenza to the government to help monitor the spread of the disease.

There is no cure for dog flu. Treatment is supportive, and your veterinarian can advise you on the best ways to keep your dog comfortable during his illness and recovery. Some dogs may require supportive care, such as fluids, to aid their recovery, as well as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications to reduce fevers.

Your vet will help you come up with a nutritional plan and may prescribe antibiotics to treat secondary bacterial infections. Your vet will also inform you about appropriate quarantine procedures to prevent the spread of dog flu, depending on the strain of the virus your dog contracts, and can give you information about disinfectant solutions to use in your home to help kill the virus.

Call your vet ahead of time to let her know that your dog is showing symptoms of a respiratory infection. Both kennel cough and dog flu are highly contagious, and your vet may request that you keep your dog outside until your appointment time to prevent the risk of transmission to other patients in the waiting room.

The best way to prevent your dog from contracting dog flu is to keep him away from public places or kennels with recently reported cases. Fleas can transmit some types of tapeworms as well as some diseases, and they may end up infesting your home and yard if they hitchhike home on your dog s. Some fertilizers and pesticides can be toxic to dogs. Avoid letting your pet walk, run, play or roam in areas that have recently been treated with fertilizers or pesticides.

Fungal organisms in the soil can infect dogs when they eat or sniff contaminated soil. Dogs can also be infected through the skin, especially through a skin wound. The types of fungus seen vary throughout the U.

Histoplasmosis can be spread by bird or bat droppings. Heartworms are spread by mosquitoes and can cause coughing, lethargy, difficulty breathing, heart disease and death.

Fortunately, there are many approved products to prevent heartworm infection. Heatstroke is a big risk during warm and hot weather. Remember that your dog is always wearing a fur coat and they are usually warmer than you are.

A temperature that seems only a little warm to a person can be too hot for a dog. Add to that the fact that dogs at dog gatherings are often active and playing, and the heat could become deadly for your dog.

Never leave your pet in the car on warm days. Short-nosed breeds, such as pugs, Boston Terriers, boxers, bulldogs, etc. Bite wounds should be immediately evaluated by a veterinarian and efforts should be made to determine the rabies vaccination status of the biting dog.

Overweight dogs and dogs accustomed to more sedentary lifestyles should be encouraged to become more active, but excessive activity can put them at risk of injury to joints, bones or muscles.

Intestinal parasites such as roundworms, hookworms, whipworms and tapeworms lay eggs that are passed in the dog's stool and infect other dogs when they eat contaminated soil, lick contaminated fur or paws, or drink water contaminated with the stool from infected dogs.

Tapeworms are spread when dogs eat fleas, lice, or rodents infected with tapeworms. Kennel cough can be caused by a combination of viruses and bacteria.

It is very contagious and your dog can become infected if it comes into contact with an infected dog. Dogs with kennel cough may not seem ill in the early stages of the disease but they can still infect other dogs.

Most commonly, dogs with kennel cough will have a snotty nose and a dry, hacking cough. Leptospirosis is caused by species of the Leptospira bacteria. The bacteria are shed in the urine of infected animals, and animals and people usually become infected by drinking contaminated water or coming into contact with contaminated soil or food. Dogs infected with Leptospira may develop fever, muscle weakness, vomiting, lethargy, abdominal pain, and kidney or liver failure. There is a vaccine for leptospirosis; consult your veterinarian about whether or not the vaccine is appropriate for your dog.

Some canine distemper combination vaccines include a Leptospira vaccine. Any mammal is capable of being infected with the virus that causes rabies. Most dog parks and organized dog gatherings require proof of rabies vaccination, but some do not.

These diseases can affect humans in many ways. They're of greatest concern to young children, infants, pregnant women, and people whose immune systems have been compromised by illness or disease.

Infants and kids younger than 5 years old are at risk because their immune systems are still developing, and some infections that might make an adult just mildly sick can be more serious for them.

But you don't have to give up your family's furry friends either. Pets can enrich your family life, and taking a few precautions can protect your kids from getting sick. Protecting your family from pet-related infections begins before bringing a pet home. For instance, reptiles and amphibians should not be allowed as pets in any household with infants and young children. Also consider the health and age of your kids before getting a pet.

A pet that would require frequent handling is not recommended for any immunocompromised child such as a child who has HIV , has cancer and is undergoing chemotherapy, or uses prednisone frequently. Kids with eczema should probably avoid aquariums. Reptiles including lizards, snakes, and turtles and amphibians including frogs, toads, and salamanders put kids at risk for:. Handling and caring for rodents — including hamsters and gerbils — as well as fish can place kids at risk for:. If you're adopting or buying a pet, make sure the breeder, shelter, or store has a good reputation and vaccinates all of its animals.

A reputable breeder should belong to a national or local breeding club, such as the American Kennel Club. Contact the Humane Society of the United States or your veterinarian for information about animal shelters in your area. As soon as you choose a family pet, take it to a local veterinarian for vaccinations and a physical exam.

Don't forget to routinely vaccinate your pet on a schedule recommended by your vet — this will keep your pet healthy and reduce the risk that infections will spread to your kids.

You'll also want to regularly feed your pet nutritious animal food ask your vet for suggestions and provide plenty of fresh water. Avoid feeding your pet raw meat because this can be a source of infection, and do not allow your pet to drink toilet water because infections can be spread through saliva, urine, and feces.

Limit young kids' contact with outdoor pets that hunt and kill for food because a pet that ingests infected meat may get an infection that can be passed to people.

Watch kids carefully around pets. Small children are more likely to catch infections from pets because they crawl around on the floor with the animals, kiss them or share food with them, or put their fingers in the pets' mouths and then put their dirty fingers in their own mouths. Also, if kids visit a petting zoo, farm, or a friend's house where there are animals, make sure they know the importance of hand washing.

For your pet's comfort and for your family's safety, control flea and tick problems in your pet. Fleas and ticks can carry diseases that may be easily passed to kids. Oral and topical medicines are available for flea and tick control; avoid using flea collars because kids can handle them and become sick from the chemicals they contain.

Check your pet regularly for fleas and ticks, as well as bites and scratches that may make them more open to infection.