Can I get kennel cough from my dog? You wonder as you experience the dreaded hacking cough, runny nose, watery eyes, and isolation from your best dog.
The answer is yes, but don’t get upset about it just yet. Instead, calm down and read this. Rarely do humans contract kennel cough from their dogs or anywhere else.
Anytime a human gets kennel cough, their immune system has been severely compromised.
Is Kennel Cough Contagious to Babies?
Theoretically, infants with immature immune systems are more vulnerable, but there is little data to support this. However, if you have a young child and a dog who has kennel cough, keep the dog until all signs of the illness have subsided.
The Bordetella bacteria have many closely related species, which is terrifying. One is the highly contagious Bordetella pertussis that affects humans, especially infants. Does the term “pertussis” bring to mind anything from the Great Depression? Sadly, it still exists today. Let us emphasize once more how unlikely it is for a human to contract kennel cough from their dog. You understand not to let dogs with coughs lick your face if you are immunosuppressed or a baby?
The bacteria that causes whooping cough in humans is called Bordetella pertussis. Adults and children can contract the upper respiratory infection pertussis, which can have fatal consequences.
In recent years the cases of whooping cough have nearly tripled in the UK. There is a vaccine available for pertussis, and it’s recommended that parents have their children vaccinated
Humans can still contract pertussis, just like kennel cough, but symptoms are milder if they have had the vaccination before becoming infected.
In extraordinary cases, Bordetella bronchiseptica has been diagnosed as Bordetella pertussis in infants. Don’t get too worried though, this barely ever happens.
In most situations, there isn’t anything to worry about, but it’s smart to air on the side of caution if you have a dog with kennel cough and a newborn. Isolation should do the trick. They just need not come in contact with dog sneezes and coughs.
Well, the bacteria could spread to another person if kennel cough is ever contracted by a human. Aerosol droplets are how kennel cough is spread, so there needs to be direct or very close contact.
It is likely that both individuals have immune system impairment brought on by cancer, HIV/AIDS, or an organ transplant. people with impaired immune systems, such as the very young or the elderly with deteriorating health
The term “zoonotic” describes bacteria that can spread from animal to human. The result is zoonotic diseases. They are either brought on by bacteria (such as kennel cough), parasites, viruses, or fungi. Before doctors and scientists realized the illnesses were caused by animals, some had decimated the human race.
According to the CDC, 6 out of 10 diseases are zoonotic. You may have heard of swine flu, avian (bird) flu, or the bubonic plague.
The most common zoonotic diseases these days are:
Several more exist but you don’t hear of them as often. Check out this fact sheet from the American Biological Safety Association.
Rabies
By having your animals vaccinated, you can easily prevent the spread of the rabies virus. Depending on the brand your veterinarian chooses, rabies vaccinations can be given every year or every three years. If your animals go outside, get them the vaccine.
Numerous issues affect both humans and animals as a result of the transmission, which occurs through an animal bite or contact with saliva or tissue. Some symptoms include:
Although rabies is frequently fatal, it can be treated if caught early.
Lyme Disease
Black-legged tick bites spread a bacteria that causes the common illness Lyme disease. These suckers feast on both people and our animal counterparts.
In forests and other wooded areas, as well as areas with thick grass and weeds, ticks are very common. Get your dog the vaccine if you and it are more of the outdoor, adventurous types who frequently camp or hike.
Common symptoms of Lyme disease are:
If Lyme disease is left untreated, it can lead to:
Brucellosis
Bacteria carried by pigs, cattle, goats, sheep, and dogs cause brucellosis. Direct contact with the bodily fluids of infected animals is how brucellosis is spread.
I’m sort of joking, but brucellosis is the most common disease found in animal testing labs. It sounds awful, but a doctor can recommend antibiotics to treat the infection after analyzing bone marrow or blood.
Symptoms of Brucellosis include possible infection of
as well as:
Salmonellosis
Dogs, cats, monkeys, rodents, chicken, reptiles, particularly turtles, cattle, and pigs can all spread the bacteria, which is also known as salmonella. The most common way that salmonella is spread is through the consumption of tainted foods from infected animals.
Common symptoms of Salmonella are:
Salmonella can be treated with antibiotics.
Malaria
Mosquito bites transmit malaria, which is caused by a nasty parasite. Though researchers have been working on a malaria vaccine for years, there are currently no excellent alternatives.
Symptoms of Malaria include:
When left untreated, Lyme disease can cause heart problems, painful and swollen joints, and damage to the nervous system. DiseaseCauseSymptomsTreatmentRabiesInfected animal biteHeadache, fever, salivation, paralysis of the trachea muscles, seizuresProactive vaccinationMalariaMosquito biteFever, chills, headaches, bloody stools, jaundice, nausea & vomiting, convulsions, comaPa Possible intravenous fluids. SalmonellaDirect contact with infected animals or consumption of infected animals or bi-productsSerious headaches, high fever, spleen enlargementRest and relaxationAnti-diarrhealsMost cases clear up with some good ol’ R& R, but it won’t be enjoyable! BrucellosisConsumption of raw dairy from infected animalsPossible infection of bone, heart, kidney, gallbladder, and spleena
Kennel cough is a zoonotic disease because, despite its rarity, it can spread from animals to people. Animals that can carry kennel cough include:
Can Humans Get Kennel Cough via Colonization?
Some individuals who were given a respiratory infection diagnosis and later tested positive for bordetella did not actually exhibit any symptoms attributable to the bordetella pathogen. Other pathogens concurrently infecting their respiratory system were the real cause of their symptoms. “Colonization” is the situation where a pathogen is present but not causing symptoms. ”.
There have also been instances of otherwise healthy people contracting bordetella. It is challenging to determine how prevalent this kind of infection is, though. Clinicians are unlikely to believe that human respiratory illnesses are caused by kennel cough. Doctors typically attribute the condition to other infections like whooping cough as a result. Additionally, according to scientists, even when kennel cough is suspected, a direct path of transmission is not always clear.
Is Kennel Cough Contagious To Humans?
In this article, when discussing the likelihood of humans acquiring kennel cough, we mean acquiring Bordetella bronchiseptica. Interestingly, B. Whooping cough in humans is caused by a pathogen that is closely related to bronchiseptica. In fact, a 2015 study contends that the pathogen that causes whooping cough may be a direct descendent of a specific strain of B bronchiseptica.
While it seems that humans can contract bordetella, those who become infected and ill tend to be immunocompromised. There has been a fair amount of research surrounding the question, “Can humans catch kennel cough?” They frequently contract the disease from an infected farm animal or pet.
But generally speaking, it seems that kennel cough in humans is quite uncommon. So you shouldn’t be too concerned about catching the cough from your sick dog.
FAQ
Can kennel cough be transmitted by humans?
Several bacteria and viruses are responsible for causing kennel cough. Most of them can’t be passed on to humans. Humans can contract the main bacteria (Bordetella bronchiseptica), but only those with compromised immune systems can do so. Even then, it’s very rare.
Can I transfer my cough to my dog?
The viruses that cause illnesses in humans like coughs, colds, and the flu are not the same viruses that cause these ailments in animals, and they do not spread from humans to animals.
How do dogs get kennel cough at home?
Causes of Kennel Cough An uninfected dog’s aerosolized bacteria or viruses can cause kennel cough in a healthy dog. Dogs can catch the virus or bacteria from infected objects (such as toys or food and water bowls) or from an infected dog’s coughing or sneezing.