What can a dog catch from a rat? - briefly
A dog can acquire zoonotic infections—including leptospirosis, salmonellosis, and various parasitic infestations such as tapeworms—by ingesting or contacting a rat.
What can a dog catch from a rat? - in detail
Dogs that hunt, chew, or otherwise encounter rodents are exposed to a range of transmissible agents and physical hazards.
Bacterial pathogens that may be transferred include:
- Salmonella spp., causing gastroenteritis and septicemia.
- Leptospira interrogans, leading to leptospirosis with renal and hepatic involvement.
- Escherichia coli strains capable of producing enterotoxins.
- Yersinia pestis, the causative agent of plague, though rare in domestic dogs.
- Streptobacillus moniliformis, responsible for rat‑bite fever.
Viral agents potentially acquired:
- Rabies virus, transmitted through bite wounds, resulting in fatal encephalitis.
- Hantavirus, associated with pulmonary syndrome, documented in limited canine cases.
- Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus, occasionally reported in dogs after rodent exposure.
Parasitic infestations and zoonoses:
- Fleas (Ctenocephalides spp.) and ticks (Ixodes, Rhipicephalus) that hitchhike on the rodent’s fur.
- Sarcoptic mange mites (Sarcoptes scabiei) causing pruritic dermatitis.
- Intestinal helminths such as Toxocara canis and Toxascaris leonina, acquired by ingesting infected rodent tissue.
- Dipylidium caninum (flea‑borne tapeworm) when dogs consume fleas from the rodent’s coat.
Additional risks:
- Mechanical trauma from bites or scratches, leading to soft‑tissue infection or laceration.
- Ingestion of foreign objects (bones, metal fragments) that can cause gastrointestinal obstruction.
- Exposure to anticoagulant rodenticides or other poisons present in the prey, resulting in coagulopathy or organ toxicity.
Preventive measures—vaccination against rabies, regular deworming, flea and tick control, and prompt wound cleaning—reduce the likelihood of these conditions. Immediate veterinary assessment is advisable after any rodent‑related incident.