Can people get sick from sick dogs?

December 31, 2009 - 8:43 am 11 Comments

Recently my sister got a dog from the pound. Now she got diagnosed with kennel cough or something like that. And like most of my are getting sick/colds. So my mom is now trying to blame my sister new dog. So my question is can dogs get people sick.

Dogs can spread diseases to humans. But most likely you guys had the common cold which is a virus, while kennel cough is a bacterial disease, Bordetella. Humans can get bordetella but it’s going to be an immunocompromised person (AIDS, elderly, babies). So unless your whole family is immunocompromised..

Things dogs can spread to humans are:
rabies
toxoplasmosis (single celled parasite)
Roundworm/hooks
ringworm
mange
leptospirosis
Campylobacter/Salmonella
Cryptosporidium

11 Responses to “Can people get sick from sick dogs?”

  1. Freezin my A** Off Says:

    yes,there are some things contagious to humans but i have never heard of a person getting kennel cough! I dont think its related to the dog………
    References :
    work at a vet

  2. steve b Says:

    Canine diseases and viruses can not be transmitted to humans or the other way round.

    They are species specific.

    The bacteria in dog feces can make humans ill but thats about all.

    ADD …. LOL @ Hotshots13 …and I’m the Pope
    References :

  3. ajt575s Says:

    No.
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  4. Chelsea Says:

    i don’t think so
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  5. Shanna Says:

    Kennel cough is not the same as a human cold as they are caused by totally different viruses/bacteria. Most diseases that dogs get are not contagious to humans and vice-versa.
    Tell your mom it’s not the dog’s fault…..it’s simply a coincidence.
    References :

  6. science chick Says:

    Very rarely. There are not many diseases that can be passed from people to animals, and some of them are hard to catch (like you have to eat their poo- possible to pass but who is playing with dog poo?).

    Have your mom call your human doctor, they can explain it to her. It is cold/flu season so it is HIGHLY likely it is a coincidence. You can spend 5 minutes on the street and find someone with a cold this time of year, and in schools you can’t throw a rock without hitting a few sick kids. So, your mom is probably frustrated with the dog and is looking for something to blame.

    It is possible these are allergies and not a cold, which would be caused by the dog. You would need to ask a human doc about that.
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  7. hotshots13 Says:

    Hi! I am a vet! You CAN get things from ur dog BUT not kennel cough! It is not a serious matter. If u have any othe questions or conserns e-mail me at soccerdevil13@yahoo.com
    References :
    My brain as a vet

  8. Gobbler Says:

    i dun think so
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  9. Beans Says:

    Not really, but if your dog is sick and say he licks a popsicle and then you lick it YEAH! but just him sneezing, no.
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  10. llama1123 Says:

    Dogs can spread diseases to humans. But most likely you guys had the common cold which is a virus, while kennel cough is a bacterial disease, Bordetella. Humans can get bordetella but it’s going to be an immunocompromised person (AIDS, elderly, babies). So unless your whole family is immunocompromised..

    Things dogs can spread to humans are:
    rabies
    toxoplasmosis (single celled parasite)
    Roundworm/hooks
    ringworm
    mange
    leptospirosis
    Campylobacter/Salmonella
    Cryptosporidium
    References :
    vet student

  11. David Says:

    Yes people can. But why should you leave your dog to get sick.

    http://healthcare2u.net/dogfoodsecrets gives you some suggestions on good dog food practice.
    References :

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