Can a Dog Catch Diseases From a Backyard Flock?

[mythkat]

Yes the vet did a fecal culture on the dog so the apropriate medication could be given. My friend doesn't know the name of the virus, she didn't ask. I don't think the diagnosis was made based on what sounded good. Droppings from any animal contain parasites, bacteria, and viruses. I don't think the vet was targeting chicken poop, just trying to save the dog.

 

[hilareee]

internal parasites, worms, coccidia...

 

[cassie]

Quote:
Coccidia are species specific. Dogs will not get coccidia from chickens. Most internal parasites are species specific also, but there are some exceptions. I have had chickens and dogs almost all of my life. I have never had any dog get sick from being around chickens. Except for the dog that managed to get into a garbage can and eat a bunch of chicken bones. We didn't find out what had happened in time to save her.

 

[cassie]

Quote:
My question was really how the vet determined the source of the pathogen.

 

[sourland]

Internal parasites, worms, coccidia are species specific! I too would like to know the "chicken virus" that was diagnosed by that veterinarian. Just as there are doctors and DOCTORS, there are veterinarians and VETERINARIANS not all are created equal. Also there is interpretation on the owners part as to what the veterinarian said and meant. These impressions based on the veterinarians I have worked with and taken animals to over the past 60 years or so.

 

[ivystone]

What is meant by species specific ? Had a new rabbit that died from it

 

[cassie]

What is meant by species specific ? Had a new rabbit that died from it

It may have, but not in the way you mean. Species specific means something will infect one species but not others. For instance, lice are species specific. Human lice cannot live on chickens and vice versa. Humans cannot get CAE,( caprine arthritis encephalitis) a disease that is devastating to goats and maybe sheep, but nothing else. Rabbits get mucoid enteritis but I don't think anything else does. Leprosy affects humans, but I have never heard of any other animal being affected by it except armadillos. They can be infected with the bacteria that causes leprosy, but I don't think they actually contract leprosy. Get the picture?

 

[CTMuscovy]

My vet has expressed concern about my dogs being around the duck. Concern is giardia for one. I have several dogs and cannot afford to have them get giardia and need to be treated. I am going to look for specific papers written on it.

If this is a concern, we will need to find a new home for our rescued Moscovy

 

[cassie]

I think your vet is just being silly. I have had dogs and poultry of various kinds, including ducks for years, and I have never, and I mean never, had any of the dogs get sick from exposure to the poultry or other livestock.

 

[CTMuscovy]

http://vetmedicine.about.com/od/zoonotic/f/Giardia.htm