All Animal Veterinary Services | Modena, NY
At All Animal Veterinary Services in Modena, NY, we care for a wide range of animals—dogs, cats, poultry, horses, farm animals, exotic pets, and more. While animals bring joy and companionship, they can also carry diseases that can be transmitted to humans. These are known as zoonotic diseases, and understanding them is key to keeping both your family and animals safe.
What Are Zoonotic Diseases?
Zoonotic diseases are illnesses that are passed between animals and people. They may spread through contact with saliva, urine, feces, fur, feathers, skin, or contaminated environments. While many are mild, some can cause serious health complications, especially in young children, older adults, pregnant individuals, and people with weakened immune systems.
All Animal Veterinary Services can help you prevent these diseases through client education, preventive care, and safe animal handling practices.
Common Zoonotic Diseases in Dogs and Cats
- Roundworms & Hookworms (Toxocariasis)
- Animal Symptoms: Bloated belly, vomiting, diarrhea, poor weight gain, anemia, worms in stool.
- Animal Transmission: Ingestion of contaminated soil, feces, or from infected mothers.
- Human Transmission: Contact with contaminated soil, pet fur, or feces.
- Human Symptoms: Rash, cough, vision issues, or internal organ involvement.
- Ringworm (Dermatophytosis)
- Animal Symptoms: Patchy hair loss, flaky skin, itchiness.
- Animal Transmission: Contact with infected pets, people, or surfaces.
- Human Transmission: Touching infected fur, skin, bedding, leashes, grooming tools or other contaminated surfaces
- Human Symptoms: Itchy, red, ring-shaped rash.
- Giardia (Giardiasis)
- Animal Symptoms: Diarrhea, weight loss, runny bloody stools.
- Animal Transmission: Contaminated water or infected feces.
- Human Transmission: Handling contaminated water or pet waste.
- Human Symptoms: Diarrhea, cramps, gas.
- Leptospirosis
- Animal Symptoms: Fever, vomiting, muscle pain, yellowing of skin or eyes, kidney/liver damage.
- Animal Transmission: Contact with infected urine, puddles, or rodent-contaminated areas.
- Human Transmission: Through cuts or mucous membranes after contact with infected water or urine.
- Human Symptoms: Flu-like symptoms, organ damage.
- Cat Scratch Disease (Bartonellosis)
- Animal Symptoms: Often no symptoms in cats.
- Animal Transmission: Spread by fleas between cats.
- Human Transmission: Scratches, bites, or licks from infected cats.
- Human Symptoms: Swollen lymph nodes, fever, fatigue.
- Rabies
- Animal Symptoms: Behavior changes, excessive drooling, aggression, paralysis.
- Animal Transmission: Bite, blood or saliva from infected animals.
- Human Transmission: Bite, blood or saliva exposure.
- Human Symptoms: Neurological issues, fatal if not treated immediately.
Zoonotic Risks in Backyard Chickens and Poultry
- Salmonella
- Animal Symptoms: Often none; may include diarrhea or reduced egg output.
- Animal Transmission: Contaminated feed, feces, or dirty living spaces.
- Human Transmission: Touching birds, eggs, feces or contaminated surfaces.
- Human Symptoms: Diarrhea, fever, abdominal pain.
- Avian Influenza (Bird Flu)
- Animal Symptoms: Sudden death, respiratory distress, facial swelling.
- Animal Transmission: Contact with wild birds or infected material.
- Human Transmission: Close contact with infected birds or droppings.
- Human Symptoms: Fever, cough, respiratory illness.
- Campylobacter
- Animal Symptoms: Usually asymptomatic.
- Animal Transmission: Fecal contamination of water or feed.
- Human Transmission: Handling live birds or undercooked poultry.
- Human Symptoms: Diarrhea (often bloody), cramps, fever.
Zoonotic Diseases Found in Horses
- Ringworm
- Animal Symptoms: Bald patches, crusty or scaly skin.
- Animal Transmission: Shared tack, grooming tools, or contact with infected animals.
- Human Transmission: Direct skin contact, tack, grooming tools or touching other contaminated surfaces
- Human Symptoms: Circular, itchy rash.
- Rabies
- Animal Symptoms: Ataxia, behavioral changes, difficulty swallowing.
- Animal Transmission: Wildlife bites.
- Human Transmission: Rare, but possible through bites or saliva.
- Human Symptoms: Severe neurological symptoms, fatal without treatment.
- Leptospirosis
- Animal Symptoms: Inflammation of the eyes, abortions, fever.
- Animal Transmission: Contaminated water or bedding.
- Human Transmission: Contact with infected materials or urine.
- Human Symptoms: Headache, fever, muscle aches, liver/kidney damage.
Zoonotic Diseases in Exotic Pets
- Salmonella (Reptiles & Amphibians)
- Animal Symptoms: Usually none—many reptiles are natural carriers.
- Animal Transmission: Naturally carried in digestive systems.
- Human Transmission: Touching reptiles or their enclosures.
- Human Symptoms: Diarrhea, fever, stomach cramps.
- Psittacosis (Parrot Fever)
- Animal Symptoms: Lethargy, discharge from eyes/nose, breathing issues.
- Animal Transmission: Dry droppings or feather dust.
- Human Transmission: Inhalation of dust from infected cages.
- Human Symptoms: Flu-like symptoms, pneumonia.
- Tularemia (Rabbits)
- Animal Symptoms: Fever, swollen lymph nodes, lethargy.
- Animal Transmission: Insect bites or wildlife contact.
- Human Transmission: Handling infected rabbits, tick bites.
- Human Symptoms: Skin ulcers, fever, lymph node swelling.
Zoonotic Diseases in Livestock (Goats, Sheep, Cattle, Pigs)
- Q Fever
- Animal Symptoms: Often silent; may cause pregnancy loss.
- Animal Transmission: Birthing fluids, feces, dust.
- Human Transmission: Inhalation or contact with contaminated materials.
- Human Symptoms: Fever, extreme fatigue, pneumonia.
- Brucellosis
- Animal Symptoms: Abortions, infertility, joint swelling.
- Animal Transmission: Infected fluids, milk, or placenta.
- Human Transmission: Handling infected animals or consuming unpasteurized dairy.
- Human Symptoms: Fever, fatigue, joint pain.
- Leptospirosis
- Animal Symptoms: Jaundice, fever, reproductive issues.
- Animal Transmission: Contaminated water or exposure to infected animals.
- Human Transmission: Contact with infected water or urine.
- Human Symptoms: Vomiting, fever, liver or kidney complications.
- Ringworm
- Animal Symptoms: Hairless patches, flaky or crusty skin.
- Animal Transmission: Contact with infected surfaces or animals.
- Human Transmission: Touching infected animals or tools.
- Human Symptoms: Red, itchy, ring-shaped lesions.
How to Help Prevent Zoonotic Infections
You can dramatically reduce the risk of zoonotic disease transmission with a few important practices:
Hygiene
- Wash hands thoroughly after handling animals, cages, or waste.
- Use gloves when cleaning litter boxes, coops, or helping with animal births.
- Teach children proper hygiene after pet contact.
Clean Environment
- Clean animal areas daily; disinfect regularly.
- Do not allow animals to drink from dirty water sources.
- Keep living areas well-ventilated and dry.
Pest and Wildlife Management
- Keep rodents and wild animals away from your animals’ enclosures.
- Do not allow pets to roam with wildlife.
- Report strange behavior in wild animals or birds to the D. E. C.
Safe Interaction
- Avoid allowing animals to lick open wounds or faces.
- Discourage children from kissing or hugging animals too closely.
- Wear protective clothing during high-risk situations like births or illness outbreaks.
Veterinary Care
- Stay current with vaccines, especially rabies and leptospirosis.
- Follow your vet’s guidance on deworming and parasite control.
- Isolate sick animals and get them veterinary care right away.
Your Local Resource for Animal and Public Health
All Animal Veterinary Services proudly support families, farms, and animal lovers in Modena, NY and the surrounding communities. Whether you care for a herd, a flock, or a single pet, our team is here to help you prevent illness, manage disease risk, and provide compassionate care for animals of all kinds. To learn more about our services please watch our introductory video.
All Animal Veterinary Services
Modena, NY
Call us to schedule a wellness exam or consultation.
