Schoolcraft Veterinary Clinic | Schoolcraft, MI
Whether your dog loves long walks through the woods or your cat keeps you company on the couch, your pets are part of your daily life—and your home. But did you know that some illnesses can pass silently from pets to people? These are called zoonotic diseases, and while many are preventable, they often fly under the radar until someone gets sick. At Schoolcraft Veterinary Clinic, we believe that knowing the risks is the first step to staying safe. Let’s take a closer look at what these diseases are, how they spread, and what you can do to protect your family.
What Are Zoonotic Diseases?
Zoonotic diseases—from the Greek word zoon, meaning animal—are infections that can pass between animals and humans. These diseases can spread through contact with saliva, feces, urine, fur, or contaminated environments. While some cause only mild discomfort, others can lead to serious or even life-threatening illness—especially in young children, seniors, pregnant women, and people with weakened immune systems.
Common Zoonotic Diseases in Dogs and Cats
Here are the most common zoonotic diseases to be aware of—along with how they spread and what symptoms to watch for in both pets and people:
1. Roundworms & Hookworms (Toxocariasis)
- Symptoms in Animals: Pot-bellied appearance, vomiting, diarrhea, poor growth, visible worms in stool. Adults may show no symptoms.
- How Animals Get It: Ingesting contaminated soil or feces; nursing from an infected mother.
- How Humans Get It: When humans come into contact with contaminated soil or sand—typically by walking barefoot or gardening without gloves—the microscopic hookworm larvae can penetrate the skin. They can also accidentally ingest parasite eggs from contaminated soil, pet fur, or feces. Because humans are not the natural hosts, the larvae cannot complete their lifecycle, so they migrate through the outer layers of the skin, creating itchy, winding, red tracks.
- Symptoms in Humans: Skin rashes, coughing, eye inflammation, and rarely, damage to organs.
2. Ringworm (Fungal Infection)
- Symptoms in Animals: Circular patches of hair loss, crusty or scaly skin, itching.
- How Animals Get It: Contact with infected animals, people, or contaminated items. Animals can also contract ringworm from contaminated soil.
- How Humans Get It: Touching infected fur, skin, bedding, or grooming tools or, in rare cases, contaminated soil.
- Symptoms in Humans: Red, itchy, ring-shaped rash.
3. Giardia (Giardiasis)
- Symptoms in Animals: Diarrhea, gas, greasy stools, weight loss.
- How Animals Get It: Drinking contaminated water or contact with infected feces.
- How Humans Get It: Contact with contaminated water, feces, or fur.
- Symptoms in Humans: Diarrhea, nausea, stomach cramps.
4. Leptospirosis
- Symptoms in Animals: Vomiting, fever, muscle pain, jaundice, kidney, or liver failure.
- How Animals Get It: Contact with infected urine, contaminated water, or areas with rodent activity.
- How Humans Get It: Contact with contaminated water or infected urine.
- Symptoms in Humans: High fever, vomiting, red eyes, liver or kidney damage.Read our full blog on Leptospirosis.
5. Cat Scratch Disease (Bartonellosis)
- Symptoms in Animals: Cats often show no symptoms.
- How Animals Get It: Spread among cats through flea bites or flea dirt.
- How Humans Get It: Scratches, bites, or saliva from an infected cat.
- Symptoms in Humans: Swollen lymph nodes, fatigue, low-grade fever.
Pregnancy Note: While concerns sometimes arise that cat scratch disease may cause miscarriage, current research does not support this. One study found no clear link between the infection and harm to unborn babies. You can read the summary here: Cat Scratch Disease in Pregnancy – PubMed. Expecting individuals should still avoid cat scratches, practice good hygiene, and use flea prevention.
6. Rabies
- Symptoms in Animals: Sudden behavioral changes, aggression, excessive drooling, paralysis.
- How Animals Get It: Bite from an infected animal.
- How Humans Get It: Bite or saliva exposure from an infected animal.
- Symptoms in Humans: Flu-like symptoms, confusion, paralysis, and death if untreated. Rabies is nearly always fatal once symptoms appear, so immediate treatment is critical.
Note: Rabies is 100% preventable with vaccination. Michigan law requires rabies vaccination for all dogs and ferrets, starting at 12 weeks of age. While cats are not mandated by state law to receive the rabies vaccine, veterinarians and public health authorities strongly recommend vaccination to protect both pets and people. Keeping your pets up to date on their rabies vaccines not only safeguards their health but also helps prevent the spread of this deadly disease. You can learn more from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Rabies Information page.
Preventing Zoonotic Diseases: What You Can Do
- Keep pets vaccinated, especially against rabies and leptospirosis. Please read our blog Pet Vaccination for more information about pet vaccinations.
- Wash your hands after handling animals, litter boxes, or pet waste
- Clean up pet waste promptly and keep your yard free of feces
- Use flea and tick preventives to protect pets and your household
- Avoid letting pets eat rodents or scavenge dead wildlife
- Schedule regular veterinary visits for wellness exams and parasite screening
Working Together to Keep Everyone Safe
Zoonotic diseases do not have to be a source of worry—but they do deserve your attention. Simple steps like staying current on vaccines, managing fleas and ticks, and practicing good hygiene can go a long way in keeping both pets and people healthy. At Schoolcraft Veterinary Clinic, we are here to support you with clear answers and reliable care. Whether it is time for your pet’s next wellness exam or you just have questions about disease prevention, we are ready to help you stay one step ahead.
Schoolcraft Veterinary Clinic
Schoolcraft, MI
(269) 679-5248
For current zoonotic disease information, visit the CDC Zoonotic Diseases Homepage.
