Listeriosis is an infectious, foodborn, but not contagious disease. It is caused by bacteria called Listeria monocytogenes that can be found in stale water, soil and poorly prepared food. The bacteria can live in the intestines of humans and animals for a long time without causing an infection.
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Some dogs don’t even want to go outside when it rains, some dogs love it. If your dog is not afraid of water you can try to take it a step further and introduce him to swimming. Swimming in a pool, a lake, or even the ocean is a great way to cool off, and an exercise easy on joints, even dogs with arthritis can do.

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Lyme Disease has been reported in almost every US state, Europe and Asia. Approximately 50% of deer ticks may contain the bacterium that causes Lyme disease.

After every walk or outing, brush your dog’s coat and check for ticks. Ticks prefer to latch onto the neck, ears, between toes and armpits. If you find a tick add some antibiotic ointment and try to remove it with pointed tweezers. Most of the time the tick is not yet attached to the animal’s skin. Ticks tend to crawl on the fur first, searching for a place to feed. As long as the tick is not attached, it cannot transmit the disease (24 - 74 hours). Should you find a tick that is already attached, try to remove it carefully and place it in alcohol to be taken to the vet for identification, in case your animals shows symptoms.

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Zoonotic diseases are diseases, conditions, and parasites that both humans and animals are susceptible to. Many of these are transmitted from the bite of an infected animal, some from environment. Some of the most common Zoonotic diseases are :

Most dog owners have seen their animal vomiting not food but the frothy, foamy, white or yellow stuff. This vomiting might be accompanied by coughing, or retching noises. This often occurs due to excess gastric acidity. Offering your animal several small meals a day instead of feeding it only once or twice a larger portion, might help. If your dog is on dry food, try free-choice feeding so it can nibble on the food throughout the day. Dogs also respond well to Pepcid AC or Tums, but check with your Vet first to administer the correct dose.

If the vomiting continues over a period of several days, have your animal examined by a vet. This kind of vomiting will also be present in case of Kennel Cough (Bordetella), parasites, or other conditions.
Infectious Diseases

Many dogs like to lick their owners. If your dog is into this habit, be proud, it’s a way of communicating that he cares! Dogs are also known to lick their wounds, and their offspring. Unless a dog is not healthy or suffering from an infectious disease, the saliva of a dog displays antibacterial properties and is not unhygienic. If your animal has a disease or is unhealthy, please take care that it is treated immediately!

Alaska Science Forum, a science magazine, has reported about a research done by students in California. It was discovered that the saliva of a dog is strong enough to kill bacteria like E.Coli and Streptococcus. A UK website reported that a dog helped heal his owner’s severely atrophied leg.

Therefore - if your dog is healthy - just enjoy his “kisses”, and don’t panic if he shows the same love for your kids. Feel free to wash your hands (and your kid’s hands) anyway.

There is no psychiatrist in the world like a puppy licking your face.
-Ben Williams