A dog may be a man's best friend, but unfortunately a dog can also carry various illnesses and diseases. These illnesses and diseases can pass from animal to human. When a disease passes from dog to man a lot of the same symptoms are present. It is important to know the symptoms of illnesses in your dog so you can identify them quickly and begin treatment. With that knowledge and regular visits to the vet, you can reduce the transfer of diseases.
Rabies
When speaking of rabies, many people think of rabid-foaming mouth dogs. Although that is the case when rabies has progressed to its most severe stage, many dogs will go for a while without any symptoms depending on where he is bitten. Animal Hospital USA says symptoms appear earlier if a bite is on the face because the virus is closer to the animal or human brain.
An animal or human contracts rabies if bitten or scratched by an infected animal, no matter where the animal is in the incubation stage. Rabies progresses very quickly and start with irritability and anxiousness. Severe thirst comes next. Once the virus becomes full-blown rabies, anticipate signs of aggressive behavior. The final stage is muscle paralysis and death. Both animal and human will display these symptoms in varying intensity.
Rabies is fatal to both animals and humans. Although some humans have survived rabies, it was only due to extensive and aggressive medical treatment. The only preventable way to reduce exposure to rabies is through vaccination of animals.
Mange
The Merck Veterinary Manual states mange is highly contagious in dogs. Mites burrow into the skin and hair of the dog and cause skin lesions on the stomach, ears, and legs. Symptoms of mange present themselves after a seven- to 21-day incubation period. Mange is called scabies when a man is infected. The mites move to man through direct contact with the dog. Washing your dog weekly with an oatmeal soap and feeding him a proper diet decreases the ability for the mites to incubate and cause mange.
Giardia
According to the Center for Disease Control giardia is found all over the world. Giardia is a water-borne disease and affects both dogs and humans. Giardia affects the intestines and can be extremely painful. In dogs, symptoms are frequent need to go outside to relieve the intestines and explosive diarrhea. It can be passed from dog to human through feces exposure. An animal with giardia discards cysts in their feces. When the feces are picked up to be disposed of, these cysts can be transferred to humans.
Treatment is an intense medication called Flagyl for humans and fenbendazole for dogs. The medication's success rate is 85 percent to 95 percent depending on how quickly treatment is implemented.
