Zoonosis/Intestinal Parasites

What is Zoonosis?

Zoonosis is when an animal can pass an infectious disease onto a human (you). Zoonosis or Zoonotic diseases can be caused by bacteria, viruses, parasites, or fungi. They can spread through direct contact with an animal, or indirectly through the environment or like ticks, mosquitoes, or flies. 

It is our responsibility to explain the importance of keeping your pet healthy and safe around you as you care for them. Preventative care and regular testing helps us control, maintain and prevent these types of diseases.

Canine Zoonosis (Diseases you can get from your dog!)

  • How are they spread?
    •  Saliva, bites, respiratory secretions, skin or hair, feces or urine.
  • Tick-borne diseases are diseases that are transmitted to humans via bites from infected ticks.
    • Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, Ehrlichiosis, and Babesiosis
    • It is important to treat your pet with flea/tick prevention to help protect you and your pet.
  • GI Parasites (there are many, here are some common examples: Tapeworms, Roundworms, Hookworms, and some strains of Giardia).
    • Avoid by deworming your dog, using monthly preventatives can help treat for intestinal parasites on a regular basis.
  • Ringworm, is it really a worm?
    • Ringworm is a fungus that infect the kitten's skin, hair and nails, which can then infect humans.
    • Puppies may present with red, scaly, or crusty lesions on the head, ears, legs, or tail. Puppies may also appear very itchy.
    • Ringworm remains contagious for about 3 weeks from the start of treatment in pets.
    • It is very treatable and requires some regular housekeeping to control spread.

Intestinal Parasites:

  • We will screen your puppy on their first visit for intestinal parasites by submitting a fecal sample. If you did not bring with you on your first visit, you can drop it off at any time.
  • Most puppies are born with roundworms, it is not uncommon for puppies to have other intestinal parasites that we can treat.
  • It is important to deworm your kitty more than once to make sure intestinal parasites are treated in different stages of the life cycle.
  • If you are noting any worms at home in the stool, please CALL US!