Parasites You Can Get From Your DogUpdated 09/20/2021 by
The answer is: Yes! There are many Parasites, Worms, and Diseases you can catch from your Dog.
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A parasite is an organism that lives and feeds off of another organism (animal or human). The host can become harmed or catch a disease from the parasite.
Examples of a Parasites that can be spread from dogs to humans include hookworms, tapeworms, roundworms, Giardia, fleas and ticks.
What has your dog been doing?
Before you kiss a dog, or let a dog kiss your face, âyou have to think of where their nose has been,â Fobian says. âHas it been inside a dead opossum on the side of the road, or the posterior of another dog, or in the litter box?â
Donât think that kissing your dog on their snout or the top of their head is safer than on the mouth. When a dog has an infection — say, in their ear — germs can end up all over their body through scratching, Fobian says. And thereâs a good chance whateverâs in their mouth will end up on their coat through slobber and licking.
Tapeworms:
Tapeworms are white-colored flatworms that are made up of teeny tiny segments. These worms attach themselves to the walls of their host’s gut using their suckers to eat and grow.
Disease From Tapeworms:
Echinococcosis is a disease caused by the “Echinococcus tapeworm”. This disease is pretty uncommon in the USA. The Adult Echinococcus tapeworm can cause cysts on the host’s internal organs. People who work with farm animals are more at risk of this infection (cattle, sheep, pigs, and goats).
How it Spreads From Dog to Human:
The eggs of the tapeworms can be found on the fur of your dog or in their feces. If you come in contact with your dog’s feces and don’t wash your hands, or if you eat or drink food or water that is contaminated with the infected dog feces, the worms can spread to you.
Dog Symptoms:
Dogs that have tapeworms may have diarrhea, loss of appetite or eat more than usual, shedding their coat more than usual, and more of a ‘grumpy behavior’ than normal.
Symptoms in Humans: Humans who are infected with the tapeworm may not have any symptoms of having the worms or the Echinococcosis disease for years. Depending on where the Echinococcosis cyst is located, the symptoms may not show up that quickly. The cyst will eventually start to press on the organs or will rupture. The liver and lungs are the organs most likely affected by the Echinococcosis disease.
Why You Should Never Kiss Your Pet
The short answer is yes, many worms infesting dogs are zoonotic, meaning they can be transmitted from animals to humans. Different worms cause different diseases, and each have their own symptoms. So, look after yourself and look out for the signs.