Dogs

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You are unlikely to get ill from touching or owning a dog. However, to best protect yourself against germs that dogs may carry you should wash your hands after contact with dogs, dog saliva or dog faeces.

Here are links to dog-related diseases, not all the diseases are associated with Ireland and you should take care when handling animals abroad:

Brucellosis - A bacterial disease rarely associated with dogs

Campylobacter - A bacterial disease associated with dogs, cats, poultry and farm animals

Cryptosporidiosis - A parasitic disease associated with dogs, especially puppies, cats and farm animals

Dipylidium Infection (tapeworm) - A parasitic disease associated with dogs, cats and fleas.

Giardiasis - A parasitic disease associated with various animals, including dogs and their environment (including water)

Hookworm Infection - A parasitic disease associated with dogs and cats

Leishmaniasis - A parasitic disease associated with dogs and sand flies (not in Ireland)

Leptospirosis - A bacterial disease associated with wild and domestic animals, including dogs

Lyme Disease - A bacterial disease that can affect dogs and ticks

Q Fever - A bacterial disease associated with goats and occasionally dogs

Rabies - A viral disease associated with various animals, including dogs. Ireland is officially rabies free.

Ringworm - A fungal disease associated with dogs

Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever - A bacterial disease associated with dogs and ticks (not in Ireland)

Salmonellosis - A bacterial disease associated with birds, reptiles and various mammals including dogs

Tetanus - A bacterial disease that can be a result of bites or puncture wounds.

Toxocara Infection - A parasitic disease associated with dogs and cats and their environment

Last updated: 22 January 2019