Someone solve an argument for me

[Nancy (Spuddie' s Mum)]

This "argument" stems from a conversation I had some time ago at a adoption fair and from when I initially got my foster Chihuahua's and we were having trouble with an upper respritory infection being passed between the Chi's and I was concerned that it could be passed to my other dogs and cats as well. I was told by a friend this was impossible, but it got me thinking just the same. Luckly, none of my other dogs or cats did get anyting, but it made me curious enough to ask.

For the sake of a discussion; can cats catch anything from dogs and/or dogs from cats (excluding stuff like fleas, mange, ticks, that kind of thing) I am referring to viral or bacterial infections.

[Traci]

The majority of viruses are species-specific and cannot be crossed between species (save for rabies...might also want to ask your vet about the monkey viruses). As for bacterials, I believe the ferret can transmit a mycobacteria to humans and other pets.

If your friend was referring specifically to an upper respiratory infection, this can be passed between dogs....cats have the same problem, especially young kittens, URI's are easily transmitted between siblings.

[Nancy (Spuddie' s Mum)]

Interesting, so basically then she was correct in saying simple virus and bacteria are not passable between dogs and cats only amongst themselves... darn, I was hoping to come out with something to say to really impress her with about it! LOL So what is "monkey" virus? I don't think I have heard of that, other than "monkey pox" in humans - although, I suppose everything starts in animals.

[davet]

if you want to really fix up yourfriend tell her that the mange mite can pass from pets to people...if you or she has a friend who is interested in biology and has a microscope she can take a micro slide and sqush (technical word) the brige of her nose and put the slide on the gook (nother technical term) and then look under the mircorscope she will see little mites that look like alligators that wiggle...do this after a few drinks (wine will do) and you will hear a wonderous scream...used to do that in my office when things got dull.......great sport

[JMM]

davet, I can't look at ear mites or demodex under the microscope. As soon as I find one someone else has to do it LOL Eeeeeewwwww!

[davet]

i love that Eeeeeewwwww! sound...i used to let clients, especially kids look at the worms and mites and stuff under my microscope and then let the distaff side of the family look without telling them what they are going to see...thats is when i get that Eeeeeewwwww! real good.....you have made my day...

[JMM]

LOL I don't mind maggots and loooove finding intestinal parasites. I just HATE spiders and anything spider-ish. Working with 3 female vets and almost all female staff, I call Dr. Ken when I see a spider because he's the only one I can talk into killing it instead of saving it.

[Traci]

LOL I don't mind maggots and loooove finding intestinal parasites. I just HATE spiders and anything spider-ish. Working with 3 female vets and almost all female staff, I call Dr. Ken when I see a spider because he's the only one I can talk into killing it instead of saving it.

LOL, I'm with you, JMM, I HATE spiders....I have to leave the room entirely until someone else can do the dirty deed...ughhhh.

Another good 'exam' is letting the client see a tick in a pet's ear with an otoscope, every single one of them will cringe, gasp and then cry because this evil monster is attached to their loved one's ear

[Nancy (Spuddie' s Mum)]

OK, suddenly I don't think I'm so keen to impress my friend anymore. LOL

[Yzma]

maggots....