8 Most Common Diseases You Can Get from Your Pet
Lyme disease
Lyme disease is an infectious disease caused by the bacteria Borrelia burgdorferi, transmitted to humans through the bite of infected ticks. Usually, your furry friends pick them up from the grass, but they cannot transmit the disease directly to you. They can, however, pass on these eight-legged creatures.
“It makes sense that people who have pets, especially dogs, are more likely to be around fields or areas where ticks could be hanging out,” said Dr. Bruno Chomel, a veterinary researcher at the University of California, Davis. “Pets can bring these parasites into the human environment, especially if they sit on couches or sleep in beds with owners.”
Leptospirosis
Leptospirosis, also known as Weil’s disease, is an infectious disease that affects both humans and animals. It can be contracted from animals infected with a strain of bacteria called leptospira. This dangerous bacterium can enter the body through the eyes, mucus membranes, and an open wound of the skin.
Its symptoms range from high fever, headache, chills to abdominal pain, nausea, diarrhea and rashes. Left untreated, it can lead to life-threatening illnesses such as kidney damage or meningitis liver failure.
