Zoonosis: zoonotic diseases in dogs and cats

They have always been there close to us, although it is only relatively recently that they have started to attract interest and gain global prominence. Do you know what zoonoses are?

Zoonosis: what is it?

If we look at the definition of zoonosis, we see that it refers to those diseases that can be transmitted from animals to humans. This transmission can occur directly, such as through contact with infected animals, or indirectly, via vectors such as mosquitoes.

Symptoms of zoonosis in humans

Symptoms can vary depending on the type of pathogen and the specific disease, although there are common signs that may appear:

• Gastrointestinal symptoms: diarrhoea, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite...
• Flu-like symptoms: fever, chills, headache, fatigue, muscle and/or joint pain...
• Skin symptoms: skin lesions, marks, rashes, visible scratches or bites.
• Other symptoms such as swollen lymph nodes or general malaise.

Types of zoonosis

Among the different types of zoonosis, we find:

Non-foodborne zoonoses

Non-foodborne zoonoses are conditions transmitted from an animal to a human, with or without a vector, and for which transmission is not strictly or essentially food-related.

Within this type, the route of transmission may be through contact with the animal, for example:

• Rabies: through the attack or bite of a carrier animal with the disease.
• Hydatidosis: through contact with affected dogs.
• Psittacosis: through contact with infected birds.

They can also be transmitted through vectors, such as, for example:

• Mosquitoes: Leishmaniasis through the bite of sandflies.
• Ticks: Lyme disease.

Foodborne zoonoses

These are those whose route of transmission is essentially or fundamentally foodborne, that is, associated with food consumption:

• Caused by bacteria such as salmonellosis, campylobacteriosis, listeriosis, yersiniosis, etc.
• Caused by parasites such as trichinellosis, anisakiasis, etc.

Zoonosis in humans: the most common zoonotic diseases

Zoonosis in cats

• Rabies: A viral disease that affects the central nervous system. It is generally transmitted through bites from infected animals, such as dogs or bats. Do you now understand why vaccinating your dog and cat against rabies is compulsory?
• Toxoplasmosis: A parasitic infection transmitted through contact with the faeces of infected cats or by consuming raw or undercooked meat from infected animals.

Zoonosis in dogs

• Leishmaniasis: Caused by a protozoan of the genus Leishmania, this is a zoonotic disease that can be transmitted naturally from dogs (and other animals) to humans.
• Leptospirosis: A bacterial disease transmitted through contact with the urine of infected animals, such as rats, dogs or livestock. It mainly affects the kidneys and liver.
• Mange: It is a parasitic disease caused by mites, mainly of the genusSarcoptesand, in animals, also byDemodex. Sarcoptic mange(caused bySarcoptes scabiei) is a zoonosis, meaning it can be transmitted from animals to humans and vice versa.

Other common zoonoses

• West Nile fever: (Also known as West Nile Fever) is a viral disease transmitted mainly through the bite of infected mosquitoes. This virus belongs to the genus Flavivirus and is endemic in many parts of the world, especially in Africa, Asia, Europe and North America.
• Bovine tuberculosis (TB): Caused by Mycobacterium bovis, it can infect humans through contact with infected animals or the consumption of unpasteurised dairy products.

How can zoonosis be prevented?

Among the recommendations to prevent cases of zoonosis in humans, we highlight:

• Avoid close contact with wild or sick animals.
• Practise hygiene measures, such as washing your hands after handling animals or their products.
• Keep pets properly vaccinated (for example, against rabies).
• Wear protective clothing when working in contact with animals or in rural environments.

As you can see, zoonoses are a major public health concern, given that the conditions that promote the transmission of diseases from animals to humans, such as urbanisation and globalisation, continue to increase.