Diseases You Can Get From Your Dog

According to top Veterinarian, Marty Becker, these are the most common diseases that you can get from your dog.

                                                                                                                                                                                               MRSA on a Dog

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             Hookworm

                                                                                              Ringworm

                                                                           

1.  MRSA (Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus) a bacterium that is spread through close  contact. It can be treated  by antibiotics,  but can be very serious and even life threatening, if not treated properly. MRSA can be passed from dog or cat to human, and, from human to dog and cat.  Apparently, cat owners have the MRSA bacteria in their homes 8 times more  than those without cats. If your dog has a sore that won't heal, get help from the vet before it spreads to other animals or family members. Be sure to use latex gloves, especially if you happen to have a cut or open sore. Wash your hands often.  According to webmd.com,  MRSA causes more than 60% of staph infections.
2. Parasites - Ticks & Fleas. From the ticks, you can get Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever and Lime Disease. Fleas will multiply like crazy and will infest your entire home before you know it. From the fleas, you can get dermatitis from the bites, and worse, the fleas carry worms. Tape worms, hook worms and round worms. All of these are nasty creatures and some can grow large enough to kill a dog. It's important that you treat your dog for ticks and fleas with a monthly product, or a product from your vet.  Clean poop area every day, or every other day, and it should never get to the infective stage.
   
3. Ringworm - Ringworm is not a worm of any kind. It's a fungus that grows outwards in a circle and causes irritation and inflammation as it spreads out. It can cause crusty lesions in dogs and itchy raw spots on humans. Dr. Becker recommends that you give your dog regular baths.  Keeping your dogs bedding clean should also help. 

With most of the above, washing your hands is the best preventative measure you can take along with regular vet checks to identify problems before they become serious.