Viral and Bacterial Diseases in Cats and Dogs

A comprehensive set of flashcards focused on key vocabulary related to viral and bacterial diseases in cats and dogs, their transmission, treatment, and prevention.

Viral diseases

Very small particles composed of RNA or DNA, requiring a host cell for replication.

Capsid

A protein shell enclosing a strand of nucleic acid in a virus.

Host cell

A cell in which a virus replicates.

Clinical disease

Signs and symptoms presented as a result of tissue damage and immune reactions due to viral infection.

Supportive therapy

Treatment that helps manage symptoms while the virus runs its course.

Feline Upper Respiratory Disease

Disease caused by viral, bacterial, or fungal infections, commonly from feline herpesvirus or calicivirus.

Transmission of FVR

Mainly occurs through intimate contact, aerosol, or contaminated objects such as food bowls.

Stomatitis

Inflammation and ulceration of the mouth and mucous membranes.

Carrier state

State where recovered cats can still harbor the virus and transmit it to others.

Panleukopenia Virus

A parvovirus causing severe illness in cats, highly contagious and often fatal.

Monoclonal antibody treatment

New treatment involving administering antibodies to a specific virus.

Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV)

An RNA retrovirus that can cause cancer and is infectious to all cats.

Immunosuppressive drugs

Medications that suppress the immune system, allowing latent viruses to become active.

Three possible outcomes of FeLV infection

1) Develop immune resistance, 2) Immuno carriers, 3) Persistently viremic.

Canine Distemper Virus

Virus simulating measles in humans that affects dogs, causing respiratory and neurological signs.

Infectious Canine Hepatitis

A adenovirus affecting the liver and causing severe illness in dogs.

Canine Parvovirus

Highly resistant virus that primarily affects puppies, causing gastrointestinal signs.

Leptospirosis

Zoonotic disease that can transmit from dogs to humans, caused by spirochete bacteria.

Pyoderma

A skin infection characterized by the presence of pus.

Bordetella bronchiseptica

A bacterial agent associated with kennel cough in dogs and respiratory infections in cats.

Feline infectious peritonitis (FIP)

A severe and often fatal disease caused by a mutation of feline coronavirus.

Toxoplasmosis

A protozoan infection that can be zoonotic and is particularly risky for pregnant women.

Ringworm

A fungal infection that can cause hair loss and lesions on the skin.

Coccidia

A protozoan parasite that can cause mild to severe diarrhea in stressed environments.

Ear mites

Mites that infest the ear canal of pets, causing irritation and inflammation.

Fleas

External parasites that feed on blood, often causing itching and skin infections.

Ticks

Blood-sucking parasites that can cause various diseases and potentially lead to tick paralysis.

Rabies

A fatal viral disease that can infect all warm-blooded animals and is transmitted through bites.

Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV)

Retrovirus that replicates within host cells; not cancer causing but leads to immunodeficiency.

Supportive care

Treatment method focused on relieving symptoms during viral infections.

Monoclonal antibodies

Innovative treatment for viruses involving direct antibody administration.

Secondary infections

Bacterial or fungal infections that may occur as a complication of viral infections.

Vaccination

Administration of vaccines to induce immunity against infectious diseases.

Antiviral medications

Drug treatments used specifically to combat viral infections.

Palliative therapy

Treatment aimed at relieving symptoms without curing the underlying disease.

Transmission routes

The methods through which infectious diseases are spread between hosts.

Zoonosis

Diseases that can be transmitted from animals to humans.

Non-regenerative anemia

A form of anemia caused by insufficient production of red blood cells.

Hematopoietic response

The process through which the body produces blood cells.

Neoplasia

The process of new, uncontrolled cell growth, leading to tumors.

Colostrum

The first form of milk produced by mammals post-birth, important for passive immunity in newborns.

Antibiotic resistance

A condition where bacteria evolve to survive antibiotic treatment.

Reticuloendothelial system

The network of reticular connective tissue and macrophages involved in immune response.

Chlamydia

A type of bacteria that can cause respiratory infections in cats.

Histopathology

The microscopic examination of tissue to study the manifestations of disease.

Pulmonary hypertension

Increased blood pressure in the pulmonary arteries, often due to heartworm infection.

Deworming agents

Medicines used to eliminate parasitic infections in animals.

Virus shedding

Process where an infected host releases virus particles into the environment.

Polluted water exposure

Contact with contaminated water, a primary route for diseases like leptospirosis.

Urinalysis

A diagnostic test that determines the content of urine, used to diagnose various conditions.

Immunocompromised

Condition of having an impaired immune system.

Pathogen transmission

The spread of disease-causing microorganisms from one host to another.

Clinical signs

Observable symptoms associated with a disease.

Intranasal vaccination

Vaccines administered through the nasal passages for respiratory diseases.

Antigen test (ELISA)

A test that detects the presence of specific antigens in the body.

Testing for viruses

Diagnostic procedures used to identify specific viral infections.

Histoplasmosis

A fungal infection caused by Histoplasma capsulatum, often affecting the lungs.

Coccidioidomycosis (Valley Fever)

A severe systemic fungal disease caused by inhaling spores from the environment.

Clinical isolation

Separating an infected individual to prevent disease transmission.

Non-specific clinical sign

Symptoms that are not unique to a single disease.

Transmitted diseases

Diseases passed from one organism to another, often through vectors.

Living vaccines

Vaccines that use a weakened version of the pathogen they protect against.

Vaccination series

A series of injections given to ensure sufficient immunity.

Antigenic variation

The ability of viruses to change their surface proteins to evade the immune system.

Mixed infections

Infections caused by more than one pathogen.

Parasitic infection

Infection caused by parasites residing in a host.

Ocular lesions

Infections affecting the eyes.

Sepsis

A life-threatening condition caused by the body's response to infection.

Pasteurella

A genus of bacteria that can cause respiratory and skin infections in cats and dogs.

Metabolic disease

Diseases that affect the metabolic processes in the body.

Skin infections

Infections that occur on the skin's surface or just below it.

Intestinal parasites

Parasites that invade the gastrointestinal tract of animals.

Management of infectious disease

Strategies put in place to control and treat infections.

Gingivitis

Inflammation of the gums, often leading to more serious dental issues.

Bacterial overgrowth

An excessive growth of bacteria, often in a specific part of the body, like the intestines.

Chronic disease

A long-lasting condition requiring ongoing management.

Mortality rate

The rate of death within a specific population or dataset, often due to a particular disease.

Immunization recommendations

Guidelines for vaccinations based on age, risk, and health status.

Diagnostic testing

Procedures used to determine the presence of a disease.

Animal husbandry

The science of breeding and caring for animals, especially farm animals.

Community health

Health outcomes and services that affect a group of individuals.

Mother-to-offspring transmission

Passing diseases from a mother to her newborns via various mechanisms.

Public health officials

Authorities responsible for protecting the health of the public.

Veterinary intervention

Actions taken by veterinarians to diagnose and treat animal health issues.

Milk transmission

Spread of infections through maternal milk to offspring.

Complications of diseases

Additional health issues that arise after the initial disease.

Vaccination protocols

Standardized procedures for administering vaccines.

Pathogenicity

The ability of an organism to cause disease.

Epidemiological studies

Research assessments that study the incidence and distribution of diseases.

Animal shelters

Facilities designed to house stray or abandoned animals.

Preventative health measures

Actions taken to prevent disease or injury.

Nutritional support

Dietary interventions aimed at improving health.

Clinical investigations

Coordinated studies carried out to understand health concerns.

Stress response in animals

Physiological reactions in animals to perceived threats or challenges.

Field studies

Research conducted in natural settings rather than in controlled environments.

Antigen introduction

The process of exposing an immune system to an antigen in order to elicit an immune response.

Interfering antibodies

Antibodies which prevent the activity of other antibodies.

Significant health threats

Major challenges to the health of populations or individual animals.

Prevalence of diseases

The total number of cases of a disease within a population at a specific time.

Environmental conditions

Surrounding factors that influence the health and behavior of organisms.