Pets provide many benefits to humans. They comfort us and they give us companionship. However, some animals can also pass diseases to people. These diseases are called zoonoses.

Although animals can carry germs, it is important to know that you are more likely to get some of these germs from contaminated food or water than from your pet or another animal you encounter. CDC has created this Web site to provide you with information about the health-related risks of owning and caring for animals. We encourage you to follow the links located throughout this Web site for general information about companion and wild animals and the diseases they can carry.

Many groups encourage people to enjoy the benefits of common household pets. By following CDC's simple tips on the Healthy Pets, Healthy People Web site, you can enjoy your pets while protecting yourself against diseases they carry.

Because wild animals can carry diseases that are dangerous to people, CDC discourages direct contact with wildlife. You should never adopt wild animals as pets or bring them home. Teach children never to handle unfamiliar animals, wild or domestic, even if the animals appears to be friendly.

Skunked! What (and why) skunks spray, and how to get rid of the odor
Your dog barks frantically, or maybe zooms off in another direction. Then you smell it. Skunk! I think that this has happened to each dog I have lived with at some point in their life. Some escape with just a spritz, other dogs come back dripping in skunk juice. Not good. Learn about skunks - why and how they spray, and what to do if your dog (or you!) get skunked. Photo: Striped Skunk (Mephitis mephitis) by cliff1066 on Flickr Twitter | Facebook | Free newsletter Skunked! What (and why) skunks spray, and how to get rid of the odor originally appeared on About.com Veterinary Medicine on Thursday, September 9th, 2010 at 03:03:41.Permalink | Comment | Email this

Has Your Dog Been "Quilled"?
Porcupine quills have one-way barbs and may work themselves inside the body, causing severe problems and even death in some cases. It is always best to call your veterinarian for cases like this; removed quickly under anesthesia reduces the chances of quills working in deeper. Please share your dog's story of meeting up with a porcupine and how things turned out. Photo: Dog with porcupine quills by daisyelaine on Flickr Twitter | Facebook | Free newsletterHas Your Dog Been "Quilled"? originally appeared on About.com Veterinary Medicine on Wednesday, September 8th, 2010 at 05:33:16.Permalink | Comment | Email this

Quick Facts About Porcupines, Quills and Pets
Porcupines and skunks are primarily nocturnal animals that unleash nasty surprises on unsuspecting dogs and their humans. Skunk spray is mostly annoying, although may have health effects at close range. Porcupines, on the other hand, have a much more serious weapon: quills. Porcupine quills are commonly found embedded in muzzle, face, head and neck of dogs, but can be found anywhere. The trouble is, quills keep moving inward. Learn more about porcupines, quills and dogs and what you need to do if your dog is "quilled" by a porcupine. Reader Stories: Tell us about your dog's experience with porcupine quills Related: Pit Bull vs. Porcupine From the About.com Urban Legends Guide Photo: Porcupine by wildxplorer on Flickr Twitter | Facebook | Free newsletterQuick Facts About Porcupines, Quills and Pets originally appeared on About.com Veterinary Medicine on Tuesday, September 7th, 2010 at 04:33:53.Permalink | Comment | Email this

Spots On My Cat's Chin
From the VetMed forum: "My orange and white cat has blue spots around his mouth and under his chin. Not like the spots I've seen that all orange cats develop known as freckles. These spots around my cats mouth contain 'stuff'.' I squeezed one of the spots and this disgusting brown and black spotted stuff came out of it, not all them do it as bad, but they all have a little liquid in them. They're almost like blackheads, but they're blue. Is this normal?" Read full post Not Normal Cats do get "freckles" and they also get chin acne. Two very different conditions. Parasites, contact sensitivities or other infections are also possible. Read more...Spots On My Cat's Chin originally appeared on About.com Veterinary Medicine on Monday, September 6th, 2010 at 14:24:37.Permalink | Comment | Email this

Tell Us About Your Veterinary or Vet Tech School
It's back to school time! I recently attended my veterinary class 20th year reunion and toured Oregon State College of Veterinary Medicine. It was a great time. So much had changed and it was comforting to know that lots of things stayed the same, too. Questions about veterinary schools, vet tech careers, and how to get accepted to these veterinary programs are common - for people starting out their careers and for those considering a career change. There are many choices available today. Each school has different strengths and weaknesses. How did you find your "perfect" veterinary school? Share: Let's hear about your veterinary or vet tech school - why did you choose it, and what do you feel are the strengths and weaknesses of your school or curriculum? More: Tell us about your favorite veterinary practice Related Reading Veterinary Career and Schooling Information Veterinary Technician - learn about the vet tech career - RVT, LVT and CVT Veterinary Careers - Careers in Veterinary Medicine School Bus by Caitlinator on Flickr Twitter | Facebook | Free newsletterTell Us About Your Veterinary or Vet Tech School originally appeared on About.com Veterinary Medicine on Friday, September 3rd, 2010 at 20:19:54.Permalink | Comment | Email this

Back to Vet School - 20 Years Later
Fall is almost here and kids are headed back to school. Some kids have started school already. Some of us (ahem) have been out of school for quite some time now. Oregon State College of Veterinary Medicine started out as a large animal facility. Now OSU has been transformed into a small and large animal state-of-the-art veterinary teaching hospital. I headed back for my 20-year reunion and took many photos on my tour of Oregon State College of Veterinary Medicine. Suggested Reading Veterinary Career and Schooling Information Vet tech career - RVT, LVT and CVT Careers in Veterinary Medicine Photo by Janet Tobiassen Crosby DVM - 2010Back to Vet School - 20 Years Later originally appeared on About.com Veterinary Medicine on Thursday, September 2nd, 2010 at 03:33:08.Permalink | Comment | Email this

6 Things To Know About Poison Ivy, Oak and Sumac
These plants are common throughout the US in varying concentrations, with the exception of Alaska and Hawaii. While the woods are a common place to find poison ivy, oak and sumac, you may also encounter them along streams, roadsides, and in parks and backyards. Questions about pets being affected poison ivy (or if they can spread poison ivy to their human family) are common. Here are 6 things you should know about poison ivy, poison oak and poison sumac and pets. More about: Poison Ivy, Poison Oak And Poison Sumac and Pets Readers Respond: My Pet's Encounter With Poison Ivy, Oak or Sumac See What These Plants Look Like: Poison Ivy Photos Poison Sumac Photos Poison Oak Photos Photo: Poison Ivy (Toxicodendron radicans) by Pixeltoo on Wikipedia Twitter | Facebook | Free newsletter6 Things To Know About Poison Ivy, Oak and Sumac originally appeared on About.com Veterinary Medicine on Wednesday, September 1st, 2010 at 03:53:04.Permalink | Comment | Email this

Dealing With Depression, Anxiety and Pets
A VetMed forum guest writes: I have 2 cats, 2 ragdolls who are the loves of my life. Both 11 years old and one with kidney failure and heart problems. He is allergic to everything and has ongoing to reactions to things here and there. I have since looked into seeing a therapist for counseling since I am such a mess when he is sick. I feel like I won't get through another day without my cat if he passes away. I do have anxiety and stress but not a huge amount and don't feel like this about anyone or anything else. I can not function at all through the stress of my cat being ill or the thought of him dying. Read more...Dealing With Depression, Anxiety and Pets originally appeared on About.com Veterinary Medicine on Tuesday, August 31st, 2010 at 01:32:57.Permalink | Comment | Email this

What is a Reverse Sneeze?
A reverse sneeze is a fairly common respiratory event seen in dogs (rarely cats) that, while harmless, can be quite frightening for dog owners to witness. Find out what happens during reverse sneezing and what some possible causes are in this FAQ. Related Reading: Canine Physiology and Anatomy Facts - What's "Normal" For A Dog Feline Physiology and Anatomy Facts - What's "Normal" For A Cat Foxtails and Grass Awns Photo: A wink and a sneeze by Tobyotter on Flickr Twitter | Facebook | Free newsletterWhat is a Reverse Sneeze? originally appeared on About.com Veterinary Medicine on Monday, August 30th, 2010 at 03:23:22.Permalink | Comment | Email this

Common Signs of Senior Dementia in Dogs
Have you noticed odd behaviors in your senior dog that you can't explain? Dogs, like people, can suffer from dementia as they age. The hallmark of clinical signs of senior dementia is confusion; they may greet their humans differently than before, forget about house-training and other learned behaviors, and easily get "lost" in their familiar home or yard. Read more...Common Signs of Senior Dementia in Dogs originally appeared on About.com Veterinary Medicine on Friday, August 27th, 2010 at 00:33:14.Permalink | Comment | Email this