Fungal infections are a common risk for both humans and animals, and dogs are no exception. Fungal infections can range from mild to severe, and the potential for them to spread to humans is a real concern. Dog fungus can often be spread to humans in the form of contact with contaminated objects or surfaces, or even through breathing in airborne fungal spores. It is therefore important to take precautions when handling your pet and their environment. In this blog post, we will explore the possible ways that dog fungus can transfer to humans, including the various types of infection and the steps that can be taken to help prevent the spread of infection. We will also discuss the symptoms of dog fungal infections and the treatments available for both humans and dogs.
Among the publications for which Quentin Coleman has written are All Pet News and Safe to Work Australia. He cared for sick animals for a nearby animal shelter for more than ten years, domesticated semi-feral cats, and nursed kittens. His journalism bachelor’s degree from the University of Delaware was awarded to him.
Because many bacterial and fungal pathogens produce similar symptoms, it can be challenging to diagnose your pet’s skin infections on your own. Ringworm causes skin irritation that results in hair loss and a constant urge to scratch. Local infections initially appear as red bumps, but the swelling quickly spreads to form a rough circle. Individual infections may spread locally or to an entirely different area of the host’s body. During a cutaneous infection, sporotrichosis produces benign nodules beneath its hosts’ skin, but if it enters the bloodstream, it can be fatal. Infections in dogs are typically limited to the skin, but if they spread to the bloodstream, they can result in a condition that is life-threatening. If the pathogen was inhaled, internal infections may be concentrated in the lungs or may spread to different organs and bones.
The majority of canine diseases pose little threat to humans, but that does not mean you are immune. Your dog can gather a variety of microscopic fungi as he explores the outdoors. These infectious pathogens include some that are zoonotic, or those that can spread from animals to people.
Additionally, dogs may have sporotrichosis, which can be transmitted to people by skin-to-skin contact. Although this fungus typically results in a superficial skin infection, internal infection can also cause serious cases. According to University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine, dogs can also carry the pathogen that causes blastomycosis, but owners are more likely to get it from their shared environment than their pet. Although the organism can also live in the mouth and nose, infected dogs mainly carry and spread the fungus in open lesions on their skin.
In the United States, ringworm is a common fungal infection that affects both humans and animals. It is a persistent, highly contagious annoyance that affects humans, cats, and dogs. Dermatophytes are parasites that quickly colonize and spread across the skin of their hosts. Direct skin contact, sharing of clothing, and bedding are other ways in which people and animals can contract an infection. Dog owners who touch their pet or share blankets and furniture could contract the illness. Additionally, because the pathogen sticks to shed fur, an infected pet can quickly spread it throughout the house.
How Do I Treat My Dog’s Ringworm?
Precautions should be taken to prevent ringworm from spreading to other people or animals in the house when an animal or person has it. It is advised to wash hands, put on gloves, and isolate the person for a while to stop the spread of the fungus. Bedding, furniture, carpets and personal items should be cleaned thoroughly.
Along with systemic medications taken by mouth, topical antifungal creams, ointments, and shampoos will be prescribed for application to infected areas. Shaving the hair in infected areas may improve the effectiveness of topical medication. To ensure complete eradication of the fungal infection, oral antifungals like griseofulvin, itraconazole, and terbinafine are frequently prescribed. Oral and topical medication is usually continued for several weeks. All dogs and other household pets will likely need to receive treatment. Family members should be closely watched as well in case they exhibit symptoms and need medical attention. During treatment, the condition is still contagious, so precautions against transmission should be maintained. Ringworm cultures will be periodically taken to assess the effectiveness of the treatment. Even though recurrence is common and ringworm can be difficult to control without multiple treatments and thorough environmental cleaning, the infection is not dangerous, and affected animals should fully recover.
Cleaning surfaces where your dog may have shed ringworm spores requires a solution of chlorine bleach and water.
Can Dogs Get Ringworm From Humans?
Yes, both you and your dog can contract ringworm from each other. But giving it to other humans and dogs is much more typical among humans. Direct skin contact or contact with contaminated surfaces, such as towels, locker room surfaces, or bedding, can result in infection. The good news is that ringworm is easily treatable and rarely causes complications, and you can take precautions to prevent spreading it to your dog or other pet.
Unfortunately, you and your dog can both contract the contagious fungal infection known as ringworm. However, it is not a serious condition, and you can both receive treatment for it as soon as symptoms appear. Symptoms of ringworm include:
Ringworm is highly contagious and spreads through contact with infected dogs’ paws or objects. It can linger for several months on bedding, furniture, food bowls, carpets, surfaces, chew toys, and personal items. Ringworm fungus especially likes warm, moist places where it thrives. It is frequently picked up in kennels with lots of dogs, usually including carriers who don’t show any symptoms. Adult dogs and humans may be immune to the infection, but a significant exposure, a skin break, or a compromised immune system may cause an infection to spread. Puppies and children are more likely to develop the condition.
Between a few days and a few weeks pass during the incubation period following infection exposure.
Your dog’s ringworm infection may be identified by your veterinarian based on symptoms, particularly if the distinctive ring pattern is present. With ultraviolet light, which causes the infected skin to glow yellow-green under the light, ringworm infections can be identified. Taking a sample of skin and culturing it to see if the ringworm fungus grows is the best method for diagnosis. Additional blood and urine tests, as well as ruling out other possible causes of the rash, may be necessary.
Learn more about this condition and consult our on-staff veterinarians at
FAQ
Can a human catch a fungus from a dog?
Tinea corporis/capitis (ringworm), a common pet-borne fungal infection, is also among the most prevalent bacterial infections connected to pet ownership, along with campylobacteriosis and salmonellosis. Less commonly, pets can transmit arthropod-borne and viral illnesses (e. g. , scabies, rabies).
What fungus is easily transmitted from dogs to humans?
Blastomycosis is a fungal disease caused by Blastomyces dermatitidis. Most frequently, this fungus infects both people and animals through the respiratory system.
What skin conditions can humans get from dogs?
- MRSA. …
- Scabies. …
- Ringworm. …
- Hookworm. …
- Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever.
What dog diseases are contagious to humans?
- Brucellosis. It is a bacterial illness that makes people feel like they have the flu.
- Campylobacteriosis. …
- Leptospirosis. …
- Rabies. …
- Ringworm. …
- Salmonella.