How your beloved dog could give you a killer disease

Superbugs. Parasites. Even TB. Read on and you may never let your pet lick your face again

or bedding. A human needs to swallow just ten cysts to be infected. Though the chances of a dog passing the disease to you are slim, it’s something to think about the next time a dog licks your face.

SCABIES

If your skin is itchy and your dog is suffering from mange, he may have given you scabies — tiny mites that burrow under the skin in an attempt to lay eggs.

The mites that cause canine scabies are different f rom the human variety and can’t breed on people.

However, they will still cause temporary discomfort and irritation for a couple of days until they die. If you don’t treat your dog, you can get infected again and again with new generations of the bugs.

‘It’s more common for people to get scabies from other people, but it i s possible f or the dog variety to infect humans,’ says Vicki Larkham.

‘It’s easily prevented in dogs with a monthly treatment.’

RAT INFECTION

WEIL’S disease is often spread by rat waste in canals and rivers. If your dog drinks from an infected water source it can pick up the disease.

once a pet dog is infected, its urine — and anywhere i t urinates — becomes infectious, putting owners at risk. In nine out of ten human cases, i t causes mild f l u- l i ke symptoms such as headache, aches and chills.

But in 10 per cent it can be lifethreatening — and lead to internal bleeding and organ failure.

‘It is completely preventable with vaccination,’ says Vicki Larkham.

‘If your dog has it, you will know about it because they will be pretty poorly. We suggest that dogs with it are hospitalised.’

RINGWORM

RINGWORM isn’t a worm, but a fungal infection. more commonly picked up from cats, it can be transmitted by dogs and causes a ring-like red rash almost anywhere on the skin.

ringworm is highly contagious — you can catch it f rom simply cuddling your pet — but not usually serious and can be treated with creams. Children are particularly vulnerable to infection.

The fungi live on keratin, the tough tissue found in the skin, nails and hair. The spores can survive for months on skin, in soil or on towels, dog blankets or carpets.

‘Animals can have ringworm without necessarily having any symptoms,’ says Caroline reay.

BUT IT’S NOT ALL BAD NEWS

IT MAY sound like your dog is a walking disease disaster area, but most diseases can be prevented with vaccinations, spot-on medication and common sense.

Always wash your hands and avoid sharing kisses, beds and dinner plates with your dog.

And while they may increase your risk of some conditions, vets and doctors say dogs are good for your health. Studies have shown that children raised in homes with at least two pets are less likely to suffer from allergies later in life.

And the need to exercise dogs means their owners tend to be healthier and happier.