No - dogs cannot catch most of the illnesses (colds, flu, etc) that we have.
And - we can't catch what dogs have.
There is a scientific term called a "species barrier" .... this means that most illnesses and diseases that any species has cannot be transmitted to a different species.
The only real exception is when a disease mutates or changes. This sometimes makes it possible for a different species to catch it.
This is the real fear with the Avian flu.... if this disease mutates and becomes a disease that can be passed on to people and then from one person to another - this could become a worldwide disaster . So far, a few people have contracted the bird flu - but it has not yet become something that one person can pass on to another person.
If course, animals and people can be sick at the same time - but this is really only a coincidence....they have not caught what they have from one another.
So - sneeze your head off around your dog - he can't catch your cold.
Carol Jean |