10 Disease You Could Get from Your Pet

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zoonotic diseases

I love my pets, and my pets love me, so how could they possibly make me sick or give me a disease?

It’s simple: Our pets are so different from us. And certain types of bacteria and viruses that live in them without causing them harm can make us sick—or even kill us. Others can make them sick too.

Click through the gallery to learn about 10 you’d be wise to avoid.

(Photo: OakleyOriginals/Creative Commons via Flickr)

Crypto

Crypto, or cryptosporidiosis, is a parasitic disease caused by the protozoa cryptosporidium. It lives in the intestines of mammals and is contracted through orally coming into contact with feces. It infects the epithelial tissue, causing diarrhea. However, immuno-compromised people will experience much more severe symptoms. The best preventative measure is to wash your hands and not come into contact with your pet’s feces.

(Photo: Abbamouse/Creative Commons via Flickr)

LCMV

Lymphocytic choriomeningitis (LCMV) is a viral infectious disease that comes from rodents, including mice, hamsters, and guinea pigs. It is caused by exposure to the lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus, which can be transmitted through rodent droppings, urine and saliva. Symptoms are flu-like, including fever, stiffness, lack of hunger, headaches, nausea, and vomiting.

(Photo: jmweirick/Creative Commons via Flickr)

Rabies

Rabies is a viral disease in warm-blooded animals that is transmitted mostly through bites from infected animals. Its incubation period is a few months, so if you are bit by an animal, you should have it tested for rabies. Symptoms include fever, headache, confusion, sleepiness, and agitation, which are caused by the swelling of the brain. Since the virus attacks the brain, it may eventually cause death if not treated.

(Photo: chefjancris/Creative Commons via Flickr)

Toxoplasmosis

Toxoplasmosis is caused by the protoxoa parasite tocoplasma gondii, often referred to as T. Gondii. The parasite lives in cats and is transmitted through their feces. Symptoms are flu-like and include muscle aches. A study in the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry also suggested that those infected are more likely to attempt suicide.

(Photo: QuesterMark/Creative Commons via Flickr)

Leptospirosis

Leptospirosis is a bacterial infection caused by the bacteria leptospira. It is transmitted to humans through contact with infected animal urine. Animals that carry the bacteria show no symptoms, but leptospirosis can cause kidney damage, meningitis, liver failure, respiratory distress, and death in humans.

(Photo: Ivan Mlinaric/Creative Commons via Flickr)

Hookworms

Hookworms are intestinal parasites that live in the small intestine of cats, dogs and humans. They are transmitted through contact with feces—or even walking barefoot on contaminated dirt—and live in pet intestines. Hookworms can cause skin infection, intestinal bleeding, inflammation, and abdominal pain.

(Photo: City of Beverly Hills)

Brucellosis

Brucellosis is an infectious disease caused by the bacteria Burcella. It is most commonly spread to humans on farms through contact with infected animals or animal products. Symptoms include flu, fever, appetite loss, myalgia, and back pain.

(Photo: OakleyOriginals/Creative Commons via Flickr)

Lyme Disease

Lyme disease is caused by the bacteria Borrelia burgdorferi. It is transmitted to humans by ticks, which use your pets, and humans, as hosts. Common symptoms are bullseye rash, fever, headache, and muscle and joint pain. Early treatment with antibiotics is best. If left undiagnosed, continued symptoms and neurocognitive impairments are possible.

(Photo: John Tann/Creative Commons via Flickr)

Cat Scratch Disease

Cat scratch disease is an infectious disease that humans can contract by—wait for it—being scratched or bitten by cats. The virus that causes it, b. henselea, is most likely carried by a kitten or younger cat. It can cause lymph node swelling, which can lead to fever and headaches. Avoid getting scratched, but if you do, wash and disinfect the cut immediately.

(Photo: nkfsnapz/Creative Commons via Flickr)

The Parrot Disease

Psittacosis, also known as parrot disease, is caused by the bacteria chlamydophilia psittaci. It can be contracted from inhaling air contanimated with infected feces of parrots, parakeets, macaws and cockatiels. Symptoms include fever, chills, headache, muscle ache, and a dry cough. The best way to avoid psittacosis is by ventilating any area containing birds and their droppings.

(Photo: Stilgherrian/Creative Commons via Flickr)

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Have you ever contracted a disease from your pet? Tell us your story in the comments below.

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Andrew Freeman is a California native with a degree in history from UCLA. He’s covered a wide range of topics for TakePart, but is particularly interested in politics and policy. Email Andrew |@natureofdabeast | TakePart.com

10 Diseases You Could Get from Your Pet

zoonotic diseases

(Photo: OakleyOriginals/Creative Commons via Flickr)

Crypto

(Photo: Abbamouse/Creative Commons via Flickr)

LCMV

(Photo: jmweirick/Creative Commons via Flickr)

Rabies

(Photo: chefjancris/Creative Commons via Flickr)

Toxoplasmosis

(Photo: QuesterMark/Creative Commons via Flickr)

Leptospirosis

(Photo: Ivan Mlinaric/Creative Commons via Flickr)

Hookworms

(Photo: City of Beverly Hills)

Brucellosis

(Photo: OakleyOriginals/Creative Commons via Flickr)

Lyme Disease

(Photo: John Tann/Creative Commons via Flickr)

Cat Scratch Disease

(Photo: nkfsnapz/Creative Commons via Flickr)

The Parrot Disease

(Photo: Stilgherrian/Creative Commons via Flickr)

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