Veterinary Science- Understanding Disease and Disease Prevention

Flashcards for the Understanding Disease and Disease Prevention presentation. Made for New Horizons Veterinary Science class.

Disease

a disorder of structure or function in a human, animal, or plant, especially one that has a known cause and a distinctive group of symptoms, signs, or anatomical change

Homeostasis

the ability of an organism to maintain a stable internal environment, even when the external environment changes

How do environmental conditions impact risk of disease?

Dirty and unsanitary environments are more likely to host and spread infectious diseases

Infectious Diseases

disorders caused by organisms (bacteria, viruses, fungi or parasites); can also be contagious

Contagious Diseases

an illness that spreads easily among dogs and other animals; can ALSO be caused by virus, bacteria, fungi etc.

How can diseases be transmitted?

• fecal-oral

• broken skin

• inhalation

• contact w/ infected fluids, feces, or soil

• vectors

Pathogen

an organism or agent that can produce disease

Types of Pathogens

• Bacteria

• Viruses

• Fungi

• Parasites

Bacteria

microscopic, single celled organisms; can be beneficial or harmful

Examples of Bacterial Infections of Dogs

• UTIs caused by e-coli

• Helicobacter infection in the gastrointestinal tract

• Staph skin infection

Antibiotics

medications used to treat bacterial infections by eliminating/killing bacteria

Viruses

small, microscopic organisms (not really alive) that require a host to replicate; cannot be killed/weakened by antibiotics

Examples of Viruses

• Parvovirus

• Distemper

• Influenza

• Rabies

• FeLV

• Feline Infectious Peritonitis

• FIV

• Equine Herpes Virus

Fungi

multicellular, non-motile organisms that produce via spores

Examples of Fungi

• Ringworm

• Blastomycosis

• Aspergillosis

• Cryptococcosis

Parasite

an organism that lives in or on an organism of another species (its host) and benefits by deriving nutrients at the other's expense

Examples of Parasites

• Roundworm

• Hookworms

• Heartworms

• Flukes

• Fleas

• Ticks

• Tapeworms

How does the body fight off disease?

• Immune system (WBCs, antibodies)

• Natural barriers (skin, mucus membranes)

Antigen is the ______

Pathogen

Antibodies are ________

The body’s response to the pathogen

Nosocomial Infecions

Infections that occur in a hospital setting due to improper medical care

MADTIN

Metabolic Disease-

occurs when there is a disruption in the natural process (homeostasis)

e.x. diabetes, hyperthyroidism, organ failure

MADTIN

Anomalies (Congenital Disease)-

Occurs in YOUNG animals and may result in death/stillbirth; some defects don’t negatively impact patient or cause clinical problems

e.x. congental heart murmurs, umbilical hernias, angular limb deformity

MADTIN

Degenerative Diseases/Disorders-

associated with aging; can be result of ongoing wear and tear

e.x. degenerate joint disease (arthritis), disc disease

MADTIN

Trauma-

physical harm as the result of an injury/accident

e.x. laceration, broken limb, head injury

Toxin-

ingestion/exposure to a substance that can have negative effects on the body; signs associated with route of exposure

e.x. xylitol, cleaning products, chocolate

MADTIN

Infectious-

bacteria, viruses, fungi, parasites

Idiopathic-

unknown cause

Iatrogenic-

caused by treatment

e.x. overtreated with steroids

Immune-

autoimmune disease; immune system starts to attack normal tissues

e.x. IMHA, KCS, Lupus, Pemphigus

MADTIN

Neoplasia-

abnormal cell growth; can be malignant (spreads through body, cancer) or benign (local)

e.x. leukemia, osteosarcoma

Nutritional-

related to diet; often overlaps with metabolic diseases

Immunity

The body’s ability to fight off disease and infections

Types of Immunity

• Innate

• Adaptive

• Passive

Innate Immunity

Body’s natural defense present from birth

e.x. WBC, skin, stomach acid

Adaptive (Acquired) Immunity

a specific and long-lasting defense mechanism that develops in response to exposure to foreign substances, such as pathogens (bacteria, viruses) or allergens; also gained from vaccines

Passive Immunity

the temporary protection from a disease that is acquired by receiving pre-made antibodies from another source (i.e. mother’s milk), rather than producing them oneself

Why are vaccines administered?

• Lessens chances of disease

• Lessens chance of disease transmission

• Lessen severity of signs

MOST VACCINES CANNOT PROVIDE 100% PROTECTION!

Vaccinations in herd animals is __________

VERY IMPORTANT

• injury, illness, death of animals has significant cost repercussions

• herd immunity is the goal

Types of Vaccines

• Killed

• Modified-live

  • Attenuated Live

  • Gene Deleted

• Toxoid

Killed Vaccines

INACTIVATED antigens provided in number to stimulate immune reaction; booster is needed within 3-4 weeks to ensure proper antibody levels

Modified-live Vaccines

stimulate immune response by causing antigen replication WITHOUT being able to cause disease; provide longer lasting immunity and many don’t require a booster

Attenuated Live Vaccines

infectious agent is WEAKENED and used to cause immune response

Toxoid Vaccine

contains weakened/inactivated form of toxin produced by bacteria

e.x. tetanus, rattlesnake toxoid vaccine

Subunit

 A distinct protein or molecular component that forms part of a larger complex, such as an enzyme or viral protein. In the context of vaccines, a subunit vaccine contains only specific antigens (proteins or polysaccharides) of a pathogen rather than the whole organism

Conjugate

A compound formed by chemically linking two or more molecules, often to enhance function. In vaccines, a conjugate vaccine consists of a polysaccharide antigen linked to a protein to improve the immune response

Recombinant

Refers to DNA, proteins, or organisms created through genetic engineering by inserting genes from one organism into another. A recombinant vaccine, for example, is produced by inserting genetic material encoding an antigen into another organism (like yeast or bacteria) to produce the antigen in large quantities

Monovalent vs Multivalent

Monovalent- targets one strain, pathogen, or epitope

Multivalent- targets multiple strains, pathogens, epitopes

Adjuvant

chemical substance added to vaccine to increase immune response to vaccine; caused sarcomas in cats and not used anymore

Why can vaccines fail?

• Improper handling

• Inappropriate administration

• Inappropriate timing of administration

• Individual is overwhelmed w/ specific vaccine

Routes of Vaccine Administration

• SQ

• Intramuscular

• Intranasal/Oral

Side Effects of Vaccination

• Soreness

• Lethargy

• Redness at site of ingestion

• Fever

• Joint pain

• Anaphylactic Shock

Core Dog Vaccines

• Rabies

• DHPP/DAPP

  • Distemper, Hepatitis/Adenovirus, Parvo, Parainfluenza

• Leptospirosis

Non-Core Dog Vaccines

• Influenza

• Rattlesnake Toxin

• Bordetella

• LYME

Rabies

deadly virus that is fatal once signs (hydrophobia, aggression, seizures, hypersalivation, unresponsive) start showing; spread through infected saliva and attacks neurologic systems of animals

Rabies Vaccines

MANDATED by law; Virginia law states all dogs and cats must be vaccinated between 12-16 weeks

administered once as a puppy/kitten, 1 year later, then every 1 or 3 years depending on vaccines; boosters must be done EARLY if there’s exposure to potentially rabid animal

Distemper

impacts many different species via inhalation, fomites, invitro, contact w/ infected bodily fluids; causes respiratory, gastrointestinal, and neurological signs; can be diagnosed but NO CURE

Parvovirus

spread through direct contact w/ infected dogs, feces, or fomites oronasally; causes bloody diarrhea which can lead to dehydration and can negatively impact the heart; dogs can survive w’ supportive care

Hepatitis (Adenovirus)

spreads from oronasal exposure to urine, feces, or saliva of infected dogs or fomites; prevents CAV-1, which causes hepatitis; signs include lethargy, thirst, anorexia, conjunctivitis, discharge, vomiting, bleeding/clotting issues, blue eyes

Parainfluenza

causes upper respiratory signs (“honking cough”)

DHPP Vaccine

Modified-live

Administered first as a puppy, boosted 1 year later, then every 3 years

Leptospirosis

ZOONOTIC; commonly found in environment such as soil and stagnant bodies of water and transmitted through contact via mucus membranes; signs include increased water intake, no urination, vomiting, lethargy; causes liver and kidney failure; treatable if caught early

Leptospirosis Vaccine

Killed vaccine

administered in a 2 shot series then once annually

Lyme

caused by bacteria and spread through ticks; only 5-10% of animals with the disease will become ill and have severe clinical signs including fever, loss of appetite, lethargy, or even kidney disease; diagnosed via blood test, incidental find

Lyme Vaccine

Killed or modified-live

given in a 2 part series and boosted 1 year later

Bordetella “Kennel Cough”

bacteria transmitted via close contact, aerosolization, fomites; results in inflammation of trachea and bronchi and impacts dogs and cats

Bordetella Vaccine

Usually a part multivalent vaccine but can be monovalent; given in a 2 shot series then boosted every 6 months-1 year

Core Cat Vaccines

• Rabies

• FVRCP

  • Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis, Calicivirus, Panleukopenia Virus)

• FeLV (Feline Leukemia Vaccine)

Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis (Feline Herpes)

spread through direct contact w’ infected cats, fomites, and aerosolization; causes upper respiratory signs (congestion, nasal discharge, fever, conjunctivitis); infected cats become carriers for life

Calicivirus

spreads via direct contact, aerosolization, and fomites; similar to FVR but also causes ulcers of the oral cavity

Panleukopenia

spreads via contact w/ contaminated secretions and fomites; causes a decrease in WBC, vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, collapse, sudden death

FVRCP Vaccine

Given several times to kittens then every 1-3 years as needed

Feline Leukemia Virus

spread via bodily fluids (bites during fights) and invitro; weakens immune system and can cause cancer

FLV Vaccine

given to kittens in a 2 part series then 1 year later; considered CORE for kittens, adult cats receive vaccination every 1-3 years if at risk

Vaccination Protocols

Initial vaccination —> 2-4 week wait period —> then booster. Then, vaccine is boosted again 1 year later

RABIES and BORDETELLA are the only vaccines that do not require initial boosters

Maternal Antibodies

Mothers pass their antibodies on to their offspring via milk and placenta (Passive Immunity). Vaccines will be ineffective as long as maternal antibodies are present, and since how long they last depends on mother’s immunity, pets must be vaccinated multiple times in hopes of vaccinating right when maternal antibodies go away

Puppy/Kitty Vaccine Schedule (DHPP/FVRCP)

1st Vaccine between 6-8 weeks of age —> boosted every 3-4 weeks until 16 weeks —> FINAL vaccine administered when animal is OVER 16 weeks of age

Ideally, a minimum of 3 vaccines should be administered

Adult Vaccination Schedules

Over 16 weeks, DHPP/FVRCP vaccines can be given less frequently but require 2 part series

vaccine administered —> wait 2-4 weeks —> vaccinate again —> vaccinate in a year

Titers

blood test that looks at the amount of antibodies of an animal for a certain pathogen achieved through natural exposure or vaccination; goal is to be if the level of antibodies can potentially fight off an infection

Quarantine

animal has been potentially exposed to a contagious disease but not showing signs; physically separated from others while monitoring development

Isolation

animal shows signs of a contagious disease/has been diagnosed with a contagious disease is kept separated from others; only individuals directly involved w/ care of the patient should enter isolation and requires separate equipment and PPE

Rinderpest

viral disease that affected cattle that was eradicated in 2011 (takes 10 years since the last case to be declared eradicated)

Vaccines in Pregnant/Immunocompromised Individuals

vaccines can be dangerous, avoid LIVE vaccines

Drug Resistance

natural process occurs when bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites no longer respond to antimicrobial medicines; antibiotics and other antimicrobial medicines become ineffective; occurs from misuse and overuse of antimicrobials

Epidemic/Outbreak

disease occurrence among a population that is more than what is expected in a given time and place, usually a sudden increase

Pandemic

An epidemic that spreads across regions

Endemic

A disease or condition present among a population at all times