What is a canine zoonosis?
Humans can transmit this parasitic infectious disease to other vertebrates, and vice versa. The agents responsible for zoonoses can be viruses, bacteria, parasites, fungi, and other biological entities."
How is a disease transmitted from our dog to us?
"The transmission of biological agents varies so much that the disease can be contracted in different ways. The first is direct contact between a susceptible host and an affected animal, such as our dog. By direct contact, we mean contact with feces, urine, blood, or other bodily fluids; there can also be indirect transmission. As a result, one comes into contact with contaminated soil or biologically contaminated objects. Otherwise, vectors can also be involved; in this case, the disease transmission occurs with vectors such as mosquitoes, sandflies, fleas, or lice that carry the causative agent, or even transmission through contaminated water or inadequately rinsed food. However, in general, the good news is that the zoonoses considered priorities by the Higher Institute of Health only marginally involve the dog."
Can dog saliva serve as a medium for transmission?
Indeed, a dog's saliva primarily comes into contact with mucous membranes rather than intact skin. Therefore, in patients who may already be immunocompromised, the eyes, nose, and especially the mouth can serve as a vehicle for infection.
What are the main diseases that can involve both the dog and humans?
"Undoubtedly, one of the zoonoses we are all familiar with is rabies." A pet bite can transmit the virus that causes rabies. However, Italy is currently considered a disease-free country due to the absence of rabies.
Leptospirosis, a bacterium, is another well-known zoonosis that can infect humans when they come into contact with an infected dog's bodily fluids. Note that this disease primarily affects working dogs, specifically hunting dogs. In any case, administering a vaccine on a regular basis not only lessens the likelihood of our animals falling ill, but also ensures its removal from the environment.
What is giardia?
Another example of zoonosis is giardia, which can be contracted through direct contact with one's dog's feces or from contaminated environments. In this case, the term "orofecal contamination" is used. Generally, oro-fecal contamination is specific, meaning that if it is on the dog, it stays on the dog. However, with domestic food, it is possible for the man to become a temporary host of this mite, which is commonly referred to as scabies.
Even tapeworm can infect humans if they ingest the eggs, which can be found on raw vegetables that are not adequately rinsed or on the fur of infested dogs.
Another example could be dermatophytosis. Dermatophytes can affect the dog at the level of the epidermis, hair, and nails, giving the infection that humans can contract either through direct contact with the animal or also with surfaces and objects contaminated by spores.
Toxocara is an ascarid that can parasitize the dog, and humans can accidentally ingest the eggs in contaminated soil or even ingest infected intermediate hosts that are undercooked, such as rabbits.
Numerous infectious agents, including viruses, bacteria, and parasites, cause diseases through vectors, which can be a tick, a mosquito, a flea, or a louse. Some of these pathologies are very important, as well as Leishmania, Borrelia, Bartonella, and filaria."
How dangerous is Leishmania among the diseases that dogs transmit to humans?
A microscopic parasite, a protozoan, causes leishmania, a disease primarily affecting dogs. However, in certain instances, it can also impact humans, manifesting in two forms: a more severe visceral form and a cutaneous form that tends to heal spontaneously. The dog cannot directly transmit the disease, but the sandfly, the disease's vector, is essential for its transmission. Fortunately, this sandfly is not ubiquitous, but it should also be added that it was once predominantly localized in central-southern Italy, while now, with recent climate changes and therefore the rise in average temperatures, outbreaks have also been spotted in the north. "One very important thing to say is that humans are sensitive to other types of Leishmania, like Leishmania infantum, which is very resistant in some breeds but is perfectly curable in humans with the exception of less compromised individuals."
What are the general precautions we can take?
"It's crucial to identify the individuals most at risk, as they are not typically healthy adults, but rather those with chronic or compromised diseases, such as pregnant women, the elderly, people with HIV infection, and those undergoing chemotherapy, transplants, or autoimmune treatments." Children and mentally disabled individuals are susceptible to contracting this type of disease due to their tendency to play in dusty environments and their disregard for normal hygiene rules, which can lead to increased contact with pathogenic agents. The plan of action involves two key components: firstly, ensuring personal hygiene by adhering to basic hygiene rules such as hand washing, maintaining a clean environment, and thoroughly washing fruits and vegetables before consuming them raw.
Environmental and food prevention: some advice
Collecting dog feces is also crucial in reducing environmental contamination. On the other hand, it's crucial to practice adequate food prevention with our dog, ensuring it always receives well-cooked meat.
We must also do a correct vaccination prophylaxis: we have already anticipated the vaccine for leptospirosis earlier, or if one goes abroad, also do, for example, the rabies vaccine, then do a correct prophylaxis against endo and ectoparasites. This involves regularly applying antiparasitic medications, undergoing at least four deworming treatments annually, examining feces, and using repellent products in endemic areas to prevent sandfly bites.
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