Fri, 04/14/2023 - 10:10pm

Going Viral

Colds and flu in humans and dogs

 

Can my dog catch my cold?

 

The chance of a dog contracting a cold from a human is extremely low. The viruses that cause cold-like symptoms in humans and dogs rarely jump from one species to another, so it is highly unlikely that you would pass your cold onto your dog.

Likewise, you probably would not catch a cold from your dog. However, other dogs in the household or dogs that come in contact with your dog could be at risk of contracting the virus that is affecting your dog. Dogs can get infections that create cold-like symptoms, such as sneezing, coughing, watery eyes and congestion. These infections are specific to dogs and not contagious to people. If your dog has these symptoms, it is best to keep him away from other dogs until he has recovered.

The common cold that people get is caused by a wide range of viruses that cause similar symptoms, such as sneezing, sore throat, runny eyes and nose, and general “not feeling wellness.” In people, the most common viral cold agent is rhinovirus, which is reported to be responsible for more than 50 percent of human colds. Other agents include coronavirus, respiratory syncytial virus, influenza and parainfluenza viruses.

Several different viruses cause colds in dogs as well. Some of these may cause more serious conditions like kennel cough, canine influenza, the parainfluenza virus, bronchitis or even canine distemper.

 

How can I tell if my dog has a cold or kennel cough?

 

Kennel cough is also known as infectious tracheobronchitis. It is a highly contagious disease that infects the respiratory tract. It is often contracted when dogs spend time together at places like dog shows, boarding kennels, training or grooming facilities, dog parks and doggie day cares.

The most distinctive characteristic of kennel cough is the dry, honking cough that dogs develop. Affected dogs will often retch or gag as if trying to dislodge something from their throats. On physical examination, dogs with kennel cough will cough readily when pressure is applied to the throat. Dogs with colds have symptoms more related to the nose and upper sinuses.

After exposure, symptoms of kennel cough usually develop within four to 10 days. Kennel cough is treatable with antibiotics, cough suppressants and expectorants. Most dogs recover, but it can cause more serious illness in puppies and dogs with compromised immune systems.

 

Can dogs get the flu from humans?

 

Unlike the common cold, which resolves rather quickly, the flu lasts longer and can develop into more serious conditions, such as pneumonia. If your body is achy and you are running a fever, you probably have the flu. However, like the common cold, your dog will not get the flu from a human member of the household.

There is a canine-specific influenza that can make your dog sick. The dog flu is a respiratory infection with symptoms much like what humans suffer. These include sneezing, runny nose, lethargy, lack of appetite and fever. Your dog may have a cough that lasts anywhere from 10 to 30 days.

Dog flu is easily spread between dogs, so dogs showing signs should be isolated. While humans can’t get sick from the dog flu, there is a possibility that you could pass the flu on to your dog if you have been in contact with an infected dog. The dog-flu virus can live for a few minutes on your skin and up to a day on your clothing. If you have been around an infected dog, make sure you change your clothes and wash your hands well before you see any other dogs.

 

How can I protect my dog from catching a cold or the flu?

 

Sadly, there is no vaccine for the common dog cold, just as there is no vaccine for human colds. That is because of the large number of viruses that can cause cold symptoms. There are vaccines that can be administered to give your dog immunity against kennel cough, parainfluenza and the canine influenza viruses. While the vaccines are not always able to completely prevent an infection, the severity of the illness is usually reduced.

Canine distemper is another viral infection that can cause signs of respiratory illness, as well as seizures and even death, in dogs. Young puppies that do not have immunity from their mother are especially susceptible. Veterinarians recommend that all dogs be vaccinated for distemper.

 

What diseases can dogs catch from humans?

 

Though cases of dogs contracting diseases from humans are rare, they are still reported. There are several bacterial infections that dogs can potentially get from people. Fungal infections can also be passed from people to dogs.

Salmonella bacteria can cause illness in both dogs and humans. Infection can lead to symptoms like fever, diarrhea and vomiting in both species. Transmission of Salmonella is fecal-oral. You can pass it to your dog if you have salmonellosis and do not adequately wash your hands after using the bathroom. In this case, touching your dog’s mouth or face may pass the bacteria to them.

Campylobacteriosis is an infection caused by the bacteria Campylobacter jejuni. It affects both dogs and humans. Symptoms in dogs include watery diarrhea, decreased appetite and fever. Like Salmonella, the transmission of this bacterial infection is fecal-oral.

Humans can carry Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) on their skin without any symptoms. However, if a break in the skin occurs, such as a cut or scrape, bacteria can enter the bloodstream and potentially serious skin infections can occur. Dogs can get MRSA from humans who have the bacteria on their skin. In dogs, MRSA can cause infections of the skin, respiratory tract and urinary tract.

Tuberculosis is a respiratory illness caused by the bacteria Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Transmission of tuberculosis from humans to dogs has been reported. In humans, symptoms of an active infection include coughing, fever and shortness of breath. In dogs, tuberculosis causes weight loss, coughing and vomiting.

Ringworm is a fungal infection that affects the skin, hair or nails. While ringworm is more typically spread from animals to people, you can pass it to your dog. Ringworm is spread by contact with the fungus, either by touching the infected area or by coming into contact with a contaminated surface. Dogs infected with ringworm have bald, scaly patches that most often appear on their ears, face or tail. More severe infections can cover the entire body.

 

Are there diseases humans can catch from dogs?

 

There are quite a few diseases you could get from your dog. Some of the bacterial and fungal infections discussed above can be transmitted back and forth between owners and their dogs. These include salmonellosis, campylobacteriosis and MRSA.

Brucellosis is a bacterial infection caused by the bacterium Brucella canis. This bacterial infection is highly contagious between dogs, and can also be spread to humans. Positive dogs develop an infection of the reproductive tract and the disease can be spread by sexual contact. Dogs and bitches being bred naturally should be checked for Brucella before breeding.

Brucellosis can be transmitted from animals to people, although it is more common for humans to contract brucellosis from large animals like cattle or sheep than dogs. Breeders and veterinarians exposed to blood, semen or vaginal secretions of infected animals are at risk of contracting the disease. Symptoms of brucellosis in humans are the same as the flu.

People who come in contact with breeding dogs, newborn puppies or aborted fetuses should use caution and practice good sanitation. Whenever possible, wear disposable gloves before handling newborn puppies or cleaning an area where a dog has whelped. After removal of the gloves, wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water and rinse well.

Rabies is a deadly viral disease that is spread through a bite or scratch from an infected dog. It causes a variety of serious neurological symptoms. By the time these symptoms appear, it is often too late for treatment. Fortunately, rabies is rare in the United States due to vaccination.

There are several parasitic diseases that can be transmitted from dogs to people. These organisms are present in the feces of an infected dog. Good sanitation and preventive worming will eliminate the risk of contracting these infections. They include giardiasis, hookworm, roundworm, tapeworm, cryptosporidiosis and echinococcosis.

 

 

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