Diseases of Cats & Dogs

Feline Calicivirus (FCV) - Overview

Caliciviridae family, very common in shelters and breeding colonies, shed through infected fluids and aerosol particals, cats can shed for weeks or long term, virus can persist in environment for up to a month, infects lining of back of mouth and lungs, causes upper respiratory tract infection and ulcers on tongue and mouth

Feline Calicivirus (FCV) - Clinical Signs

Upper respiratory tract infection, ulcers on tongue and mouth

Feline Calicivirus (FCV) - Treatment

NSAIDs, nutrition and fluids, decongestants

Feline Calicivirus (FCV) - Prevention

Vaccinate

Feline Herpesvirus-1 (FHV-1) - Overview

Feline viral rhinotracheitis, spread through aerosol particles and fomites, cytolytic virus, replicates in upper respiratory tract, reinfection can occur

Feline Herpesvirus-1 (FHV-1) - Clinical Signs

Fever, depression, anorexia, sneezing, nasal discharge, conjunctivitis, ulcers, rhinitis, drooling

Feline Herpesvirus-1 (FHV-1) - Treatment

Supprtive care, eyedrops

Feline Panleukopenia (FPV) - Overview

Very contagious parvovirus, can persist in environment for up to a year, spread through infected fluids and fomites, enters body through oronasal cavities, most cases subclinical, severe in young animals

Feline Panleukopenia (FPV) - Clinical Signs

Death, fever, depression, anorexia, hyper salivation, vomiting, diarrhea, dehydration, low neutrophils and lymphocytes, abortion

Feline Panleukopenia (FPV) - Treatment

Supportive care, antiemetic drugs, anthelminthic drugs

Feline Panleukopenia (FPV) - Prevention

Vaccinate

Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV) - Overview

Retrovirus in family oncovirinae, four subtypes (A, B, C, & T), spread via prolonged, direct contact, often through saliva (common in mom to kitten), Abortive>Regressive>Progressive

Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV) - Clinical Signs

Anemia, cancers (lymphoma and leukemia), immuno-suppression, immune-mediated disease, reproductive problems, intestinal inflammation, neurologic disorders, stomatitis

Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV) - Treatment

Good husbandry, stress and disease avoidance (can’t cure but can increase lifespan)

Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) - Overview

Retrovirus in the genus lentivirus, targets lymphocytes, spread through bite wounds and vertical transmission, outdoor, un-neutered male cats at greatest risk

Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) - Clinical Signs

Acute Phase (1-3 months after exposure) - Enlarged lymph nodes, fever, depression, anorexia

Asymptomatic Phase (months-years after acute phase) - Virus replicates throughout immune system, may show abnormal bloodwork

Progressive Phase (not all cats reach this phase) - Recurrent infections, gingivostomatitis, higher cancer risk, potential weight loss, behavior/neurological changes

Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) - Diagnosis

ELISA of FIV antibodies

Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) - Treatment

No treatment, but to prolong lifespans keep cats indoors, spay/neuter, healthy diet

Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) - Prevention

No vaccine in US, cat management

Canine Distemper - Overview

Paramyxovirus, highly contagious, dogs are reservoir host, zoonotic, spread through aerosol droplets

Canine Distemper - Clinical Signs

Fever, nasal discharge, pneumonia, diarrhea, anorexia, neurological problems (twitching, seizures), hyperkeratosis, lesions in brain, necrosis of lymphatic tissue

Canine Distemper - Treatment

Broad-spectrum antibiotics, electrolyte fluids, parenteral nutrition, antipyretics, analgesics, anticonvulsants (treatment may not be effective especially with onset of neurological symptoms)

Canine Distemper - Prevention

Vaccinate

Canine Parvovirus - Overview

DNA virus, very hardy, resistant to common detergents/disinfectants and changes in temperature/pH, can persist indoors for up to 2 months and outdoors for months-years depending on conditions. can be shed in feces for 2 weeks after recovery

Canine Parvovirus - Clinical Signs

FEver, lethargy, anorexia, hemorrhagic diarrhea, dehydration, damage to lymph, thymus, and heart tissue, potential sepsis

Canine Parvovirus - Treatment

Supportive care

Canine Parvovirus - Prevention

Vaccinate

Canine Adenovirus - Overview

Infectious canine hepatitis, zoonotic, spread through oronasal exposure to infected fluids, can be shed for us to 6 months, hardy but can be killed with high temperatures and bleach

Canine Adenovirus - Clinical Signs

Fever, lethargy, thrist, anorexia, conjunctivitis, respiratory discharge, corneal clouding (blue eye), abdominal pain, vomiting, coagulopathy, vasculitis, petechia or oral mucosa, liver damage

Canine Adenovirus - Treatment

Fluids, adequate feeding or nutrient supplementation, plasma or blood transfusions, prophylactic antibiotics

Canine Adenovirus - Prevention

Vaccinate

Canine Parainfluenza - Overview

Transmitted through respiratory droplets, direct contact, or fomites, highly contagious

Canine Parainfluenza - Clinical Signs

20-50% show no signs, cough (dry or unproductive), fever, lethargy, anorexia, nasal discharge

Canine Parainfluenza - Treatment

Antitussive, antibiotics if pneumonia occurs, proper nutrition and hydration

Canine Infectious Treacheobronchitis (Kennel Cough) - Overview

Very contagious, severe in puppies and older dogs

Canine Infectious Treacheobronchitis (Kennel Cough) - Clinical Signs

Cough that sounds like a goose honk, fever, depression, anorexia, productive cough, nasal discharge

Canine Infectious Treacheobronchitis (Kennel Cough) - Diagnosis

Thoracic x-rays can be taken to determine severity of disease

Canine Infectious Treacheobronchitis (Kennel Cough) - Treatment

Antibiotics if pneumonia develops

Heartworms - Overview

Spread by mosquito vectors, endemic in US, dogs are definitive host, zoonotic

Heartworms - Clinical Signs

Persistent cough, fatigue, decreased appetite and exercise tolerance, weight loss, heart disease

Heartworms - Diagnosis

Antigen test for part of the heartworm, test for microfilariae, x-ray, ultrasound

Heartworms - Treatment

Supportive care, injections (no safe treatment for cats)

Heartworms - Prevention

Heartworm preventatives, mosquito control