There are many illnesses you can get from your pet and from wild animals. Here are some of them:

• Rabies. Rabies is a viral disease that spreads through animal bites. Pet owners can get rabies from their pets if they are unvaccinated and are bitten by an infected wild animal, such as a raccoon, skunk, or bat. Although rabies shots protect animals from infection, if you're bitten by an animal and don't know if it's been vaccinated against rabies, you may need a series of rabies shots. Rabies in humans is usually fatal.  • Roundworms. Roundworms are parasites which can cause an illness known as toxocariasis. Since most puppies and kittens are born with roundworms, they should be treated at an early age. Roundworms don't usually cause serious illnesses in humans, but if they infect the eye, the can cause eye problems. According to the CDC, almost 14 percent have antibodies to toxocara, indicating that millions of Americans have been exposed to the parasite.  • Parrot fever (psittacosis). Your bird could transmit the bacteria Chlamydophila psittaci if you inhale dried secretions containing it, even though your bird may appear healthy. Symptoms could include muscle aches, fevers, and chills, and can be treated by common antibiotics, such as doxycycline. The CDC suggests you clean the lining of your bird's cage every day, wear gloves, and avoid stirring up droppings. • Cat-scratch fever. Cat-scratch fever is caused by a bacteria (Bartonella henselae). Symptoms include fever, enlarged lymph glands on the side of the body that was scratched or bitten, and general malaise. It usually resolves itself within a month with or without treatment, but in rare cases — most often in those whose immunity is seriously compromised — it can lead to serious complications, including seizures or endocarditis, an inflammation of the heart's endocardium. If you get a scratch or bite from your cat, wash it immediately with soap and water.