If you haven’t heard, there have been a few dozen cases of humans contracting a disease that is spread through puppies.
Campylobacter, which leads to stomach upset and a potential fever, has affected at least 55 people, whose cases are being studied by the Center for Disease Control.
“It’s called campylobacter, and it causes diarrhea and vomiting if you get infected with it, and it can cause a bad fever, and some people — a few people — end up in the hospital,” veterinarian Dr. Mike Hutchinson said in a story by KDKA.
The good news is that the illness is not life-threatening, and the better news is that it can be easily avoided – simply wash your hands after interacting with a puppy!
Watch the news segment below:
According to PetMD, signs of campylobacter in dogs include:
- Fever
- Vomiting
- Straining to defecate (tenesmus)
- Loss of appetite (anorexia)
- Enlarged lymph nodes (lymphadenitis)
Dr. Hutchinson tells KDKA that most pup parents know when their dog isn’t feeling their best; if they maintain normal stools and good energy levels, those are healthy signs. (In general, sudden changes in behavior, stools, or energy levels should always be addressed with your vet.)
While campylobacter is curable, no person or puppy wants to feel under the weather. So, if you just brought home a new pup, played with someone else’s, or plan to visit your local shelter, make sure to sanitize your hands after petting each new furry friend!
(h/t: KDKA)
