Whether you are a pet owner or not. need to know that; dogs can get strep throat. Bacteria mainly cause strep throat. But it depends on many things such as a dog’s immunity system, the environment, contaminated food, and many more.
That is why you should always take care of your pet so that they don’t get infected with any bacteria. Because if humans become sick, they get support from family and friends, but the pets don’t have that opportunity. For this reason, we should take care of them properly.
Human vs. Dog Strep Throat
Strep throat is caused by bacteria, but the species differ from animal to animal. Because the pathogen that attacks humans is Streptococcus A, and the pathogen that affects dogs is Streptococcus G. So it is quite impossible to get affected by dog’s pathogens. But there are some rare cases of dog to human or human to dog contagion.
How Can a Dog Get Struck by This Bacteria?
Strep Throat refers to a sore throat due to streptococcus bacteria. It is a common condition among animals. It can be transmitted from one animal to another, whether by touching or by direct contact. The bacteria cause this type of sore throat in dogs and the inflammation associated with the infection. The mouth is an ideal place for bacteria to multiply, especially since the mouth has plenty of small gaps where air can get in. Bacteria can overgrow there quickly, and an animal could have a case of mouth rot in a matter of hours. Even it can cause tonsil in the dog’s throat.
Tonsillitis in dogs can be quite an uncomfortable condition. But don’t worry, your dog will not die because of strep throat or tonsillitis. There is no such history like this.
Dog Strep Throat Infection
Have you ever noticed that your pet dog seems to have a bad cough or cold-like symptom, and you wonder if it could be a case of dog throat infection? When it comes to dog throat infection, you must keep a close eye on your dog. There can be a few problems that can arise from this type of throat infection.
Symptoms of Strep Throat
#1. One of the first things you will notice is that your dog has a hacking cough which is very similar to humans. There will also be noticeably less airflow to the dog’s lungs.
#2. Your dog seems to be having trouble swallowing. He may be experiencing difficulty with swallowing food as well. This is likely due to a build-up of phlegm in the throat. The phlegm will prevent the dog from getting enough air and will irritate the dog’s throat.
#3. Some other things to watch out for when it comes to dog throat problems are breathing difficulties. Your dog’s chest may not get an adequate amount of air and he or she may not be able to breathe through the mouth properly.
#4. Other symptoms include a fever. A general weakening of the dog’s immune system is another sign. There may be a loss in appetite and your dog may start to become lethargic.
Causes of Strep Throat
The reason why dogs get strep throat is that they have an open sore in their throat that is infected with bacteria. The bacteria can travel through the air and get into your dog, where it attacks healthy tissues and cells in the dog’s body, causing inflammation and pain.
Diagnosis of Strep Throat
If you observe the above-mentioned symptoms in your dog, it is better to testing dog for strep. Because some of them are similar to other diseases, such as tonsillitis. So it is better to visit a vet. He will take the history of your dog and a physical examination will be taken. For a better diagnosis, he can take a swab from the throat of your pet for a lab test. After getting the report of every investigation, he will prescribe medicine.
Treatment of Strep Throat
As I mentioned before, dogs can get throat infections for a number of reasons. It’s important to take a look at all of these possible causes before assuming that your dog has it. Your vet can give you more information about specific causes, and he can also provide some antibiotic treatment options. Besides, be careful about keeping the dog well hydrated and ensure he is getting enough rest. If you have more than one pet, keep the sick one in quarantine, so that the bacteria don’t get the chance to spread. Check your dog regularly to ensure there are no allergic signs or side effects of antibiotics. In general, after starting antibiotic treatment, it doesn’t take more than 1 week to recover. However, if your dog has a weak immune system, it is good to take him to the vet regularly for a checkup.
Final Words
If you notice any dog throat infection symptoms, it is important that you seek immediate treatment from the vet. The longer you wait, the worse the problem is likely to become. Make sure that you always keep an eye on your dog and look for any changes. If your dog seems to be having difficulty breathing and swallowing, then you will need to get him or her to the vet immediately. The sooner you can start treating your dog’s condition, the better it will be. We hope that this blog will help you answer the question can dogs get strep throat and how can you diagnose and treat it.
Frequently Asked Question
Yes, they can get throat infections from the environment, contaminated food, and other affected animals.
Check out the behavior of your pet. Because sometimes symptoms of strep throat can be overlapped with other diseases. So if you observe the above-mentioned symptoms, it is better to visit a bet for a better opinion.
No, because it is rare for humans to become sick from animal pathogens. But it is better to take safety precautions.
Technically yes. Strep throat can be spread from animal to animal. But not from human to animal or animal to human.
It is rare but there are possibility to get infected bacterial infection your four legged member by infected human.