9 Diseases You Can Get From Your Pet

Life without animals would be extremely boring and sad! If you have a pet, then you will agree with me. Your furry friend makes you smile even when you're upset, sick, or in trouble. Whether it's the cat stuck in a box or the wide smile of the dog waiting for you when you get home, animals make our lives more beautiful!

However, in addition to the moments of joy and pleasant memories that your favorite pet gives you, it seems that they can make you sick. Are you curious about the most common contagious diseases that your non-speaking friend can transmit to you?

Salmonella

Although you may think that you can only contract this bacterium from meat that is not cooked enough, it seems that pets can also pass it on to you.

Salmonella is a bacterium that lives in the digestive system and animals can have this bacterium, although they are perfectly healthy. However, this does not mean that they cannot transmit this bacterium to you through feces.

Animals can also contaminate other parts of their body, such as their nose and snout. If you do not wash your hands after touching an infected animal, the battery can make you seriously ill.

Tinea corporis

This fungus causes an infection in the skin. You can take this mushroom from the pool, from the locker room, and also from your pet. To observe the tinea corporis on you or your pet, look for a red circle or ring.

The edge of this ring is darker than the inside. Also, look for red, itchy spots or blisters. If the infection affects the scalp or fur of the animal, you may see portions without fur or sparse hairs.

Cat scratch disease

According to the Center for Disease Prevention and Control, about 40% of cats carry the bacteria that causes this infection during their lifetime.

People can contract it through a bite, a scratch, or saliva and it is manifested by redness and swelling. You may also have cold symptoms.

Lyme disease

You can get this disease from ticks that live in the fur of your pet. Lyme disease rarely causes symptoms, including fever, muscle or joint pain, and itching.

Vermin

Even if you don't realize this, you can get parasites from your pet. For this reason, you need to make sure that your non-speaking friend has all the vaccines done and is regularly dewormed.

These parasites live in the digestive tract, and the larvae can be transmitted to you through the feces of your pet. Also, avoid going outside barefoot.

Toxoplasmosis

This animal disease occurs when humans are infected with a common parasite especially in cats called Toxoplasma.

The disease can trigger cold-specific symptoms but can degenerate if you are pregnant. That's why you need to make sure your cat is always clean.

Rabies

This virus affects the central nervous system of both animals and humans and can be fatal. To prevent rabies, give your pet the specific vaccine and stay away from wild animals.

LCM - Lymphocytic choriomeningitis

It is a viral disease caused by the LCM virus. The disease is transmitted from animal to human through contact with urine, feces, or saliva from hamsters, mice, guinea pigs, or other rodents. Common symptoms are similar to the flu: fever, stiffness, loss of appetite, headache, nausea, vomiting.

Leptospirosis

This is an infectious disease caused by pathogens called leptospire. They are excreted in the urine of animals. Human contamination occurs through contact of microbes with the skin, nasal or ocular mucous membranes.

Although the animals carrying this bacterium show no symptoms in humans, leptospirosis leads to kidney disease, meningitis, liver failure, respiratory problems, or even death.