Dogs are perhaps the best pets you can ever have. They are perfect for giving you unconditional love, undivided attention and entertaining company. If you are someone who spends a lot of time with your dog, there are a few things you must know about the diseases they may carry that can potentially spread to you. Listed below are a few common diseases and precautions you must take to prevent them from spreading to you.

Ringworm
If you come across hairless round patches on your dog’s skin, it may have contracted a ringworm condition. It is a fungal infection that can be easily transmitted to your body. To prevent yourself from contracting this infection, you should wash your hands with anti-bacterial hand wash every time you pet your dog. Your dog should be taken to a vet immediately. If you develop this condition from your dog you can use a special anti-fungal cream, advised by a health-care practitioner.

Roundworms
Roundworms are parasites found in the dog’s digestive system, that look like spaghetti. This should not be taken very easily as they may cause serious repercussions such as blindness. If an infected dog defecates outside in the mud, several roundworm eggs will be deposited in it. Kids love to play outside and get themselves muddy and dirty. When children put their hands in the mouth after playing with mud, there are a high chances of them ingesting some of the eggs deposited in the mud. The eggs will then develop into larvae and establish into the eyes causing blindness. This is why a dog must be given de-wormers regularly.

Rabies
Rabies is a very common disease borne out of a dog. It is now mandatory in most states for dogs to get rabies vaccination, keeping its dreadfulness in mind. You may contract rabies from your dog, if it’s bitten by a rabid animal. Rabies is a serious and fatal condition and should be treated immediately. You should always look after your dog so that it does not get bit by another wild animal or another infected dog.

Lyme Disease
This disease cannot be transmitted by your dogs directly. It is transmitted by ticks, the carriers of the Lyme disease, that are often found on dogs. If these infected ticks bite you, you can develop lyme diseases. The best way to prevent this is to avoid tick infested areas. You must consult with a vet and use tick preventative measures if your place is already tick affected.