Worms

Hey my friend found a dog in a farm it was chaind on a pole and the rope was so short that it pooped where it slept. I felt for him  And the owner said that it would shoot it as soon as the winter came. So he saved the dog and we are going to get him tomorow to his 1 st vet. For his vaccines and check up. The dog seems to be healthy with nice fur.Now my friend has spended a lot of time whith him while i have olny petted him and huged him for a bit maybe afterwords i have put my hands in my mouth i dont remember.... Can you tell me please if i can get any worms or anything from petting him?..

I repeat the dog has never seen a vet in his 12 months life. Thanks...

[Aleda M Cheng, D.V.M., C.V.A]

That was very commendable of your friend to save that poor dog!

This is a hard question to answer since there are hundreds of zoonotic diseases that have the potential of being passed between different species.

Fleas can jump from the dog to you.  Scabies and other mites can also pass unto you from the dog's fur.  

Many parasites are species specific and will not cause problems with other species, however.  Dog fleas, scabies and other mites prefer dogs.

Once the dog is vaccinated, bathed and treated for parasites there should not be a problem.