Hydatid Cysts
I have been
talking with my Spanish fiancee and we have been talking about diseases
that you can get from dogs. She says that there is a sickness that humans
can receive from dog saliva that attacks the human liver and creates
cysts that can be lethal. The cysts are like bunch of grapes in the
liver. The Spanish name is Quiste Hidiatidico or something of that
nature.
Dogs carry many diseases and parasites which are transmittable to humans. Among these are hydatid cysts. The dog tapeworm passes it's eggs in an infested dog's feces. The dog may lick itself and get the microscopic eggs into saliva. If the dog's saliva gets into a person's mouth, the human may contract the tapeworm infestation. In man, sheep, pigs and cattle, the tapeworm forms hydatid cysts. These large, fluid filled sacks can end up in any organ- the liver, brain, intestines, etc. They act like cancer, growing and spreading. Hydatids can grow as large as basketballs, thus present serious risk to health.
The best way to avoid contracting hydatid disease, is to wash thoroughly after playing with your dog, and to have your dog's stool checked for parasites at least once a year.
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