A zoonotic disease is an illness that can be transmitted from animals to people. Dogs can carry germs that cause these infections, which may spread through contact with saliva, urine, or feces. Vaccination is an effective tool for preventing some of the most serious ones, protecting both the dog and the human members of its household. Understanding which diseases are preventable through vaccination is a part of responsible pet ownership.
Rabies Vaccination
Rabies is a viral disease that attacks the central nervous system and is almost always fatal once clinical signs appear. The virus is present in an infected animal’s saliva and is typically transmitted through a bite. Due to the severity of the disease, rabies vaccination for dogs is often mandated by law in many regions.
The primary strategy for preventing human rabies is the systematic vaccination of dogs, which creates a barrier of immunity within the dog population. This approach interrupts the virus’s transmission cycle, protecting dogs from wildlife and preventing them from passing the disease to people. This method has been successful in reducing the incidence of human rabies in many parts of the world.
If a person is bitten by an animal suspected of having rabies, a medical intervention called post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) is required. This emergency treatment involves a series of shots, including human rabies immune globulin and the vaccine, administered over several weeks to prevent the virus from causing illness. PEP is not a routine preventative measure but an emergency treatment after a high-risk interaction.
Leptospirosis Vaccination
Leptospirosis is a bacterial disease caused by Leptospira spirochetes. These bacteria are spread through the urine of infected animals, which can contaminate soil and water where dogs can become infected. The illness in dogs can be severe, often leading to kidney or liver failure.
Humans are also susceptible to leptospirosis through contact with contaminated water or soil. The bacteria can enter the body through cuts in the skin or mucous membranes. In people, the disease often presents as a flu-like illness but can progress to more severe, life-threatening conditions involving organ damage.
The vaccine for leptospirosis in dogs prevents the dog from developing the disease and reduces the shedding of the bacteria in its urine. This directly lowers the risk of environmental contamination and subsequent human exposure. Because exposure risk varies by lifestyle and location, this vaccine is often considered non-core and recommended based on a veterinarian’s assessment.
Other Zoonotic Diseases with Available Dog Vaccines
Lyme disease is caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi and is transmitted by infected black-legged ticks. While humans do not get Lyme disease directly from dogs, a dog can bring infected ticks into the home, increasing the risk of transmission to people.
A vaccine for Lyme disease is available for dogs, which helps prevent them from becoming infected with the Borrelia bacteria. By preventing the dog from acting as a host, it indirectly reduces the number of infected ticks in the dog’s surroundings. This can lower the overall risk of human exposure in areas where the disease is prevalent.
A vaccine for Giardia, a single-celled intestinal parasite, does exist for dogs. However, its use in preventing transmission to humans is not widely recommended by veterinary professional organizations. While the vaccine may help reduce the shedding of Giardia cysts, the parasite is managed through medication and environmental hygiene.
Common Zoonotic Diseases Without Vaccines
Several common zoonotic diseases are transmitted from dogs for which no vaccines are available. One category includes intestinal parasites such as roundworms and hookworms. Humans can become infected by accidentally ingesting the microscopic eggs of these worms, passed in a dog’s feces, which can contaminate soil.
Another infection without a vaccine is ringworm, which is caused by a fungus. This skin infection is transmitted through direct contact with an infected dog’s skin or fur, or by touching contaminated objects like bedding. It causes itchy, circular rashes on the skin of both dogs and people.
Prevention for these infections relies on methods other than vaccination. Key strategies include:
- Consistent veterinary care, including regular deworming schedules.
- Good personal hygiene, such as thorough hand washing after handling a dog or its waste.
- Effective parasite control for fleas and ticks.
- Maintaining a clean living environment to reduce the risk of transmission.