Diseases in Cats and Dogs

Bacterial, Viral, External and Internal Parasites, Protozoan Diseases, and Vaccines

Brucellosis

viral, zoonotic, no vaccine, reproductive issues (late stage abortion), causes sterility, dogs

Leptospirosis

viral, zoonotic, vaccine, spread through urine, kidney pain, may be asymptomatic carrier, dogs

Tetanus (lockjaw)

viral, not contagious, neurotoxin, some vaccines, hard to treat, dogs (cats can get but are very resistant)

Tuberculosis

viral, zoonotic, very contagious, usually caught from the human, euthanasia, very hard to treat (cats can’t get human, but bovine version)

Salmonellosis

bacterial, young and old dogs are most susceptible, gastroenteritis, reptile laws (kids put in mouths), dogs get more than cats

Tularemia

bacterial, zoonotic, ticks and lesions, also called rabbit fever, dogs

Lyme

bacterial, ticks, tick can be transferred/transfer the disease (48 hours)

Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever

bacterial, NC prevalence, ticks, can affect humans, dogs can be carriers, many symptoms (5 hours)

Distemper

viral, vaccine, leading cause of infectious disease in dogs, may change thickness and color of paw pads and nose (2 stages: fever, eye/nose discharge or (2) chorea, brain issues, seizures, falling) - similar to measles in humans

Canine Influenza

viral, Wake County issue, contagious (not zoonotic), H3N8 and H3N2, vaccine, death not common in owned dogs, but dangerous in shelters, fever/cough/runniness, secondary bacterial illness likely, not all show symptoms

Canine Parvovirus

viral, spread by direct contact, rapid growing cells make it an issue in puppies, GI or heart version, vaccination, very hard to kill (lives in soil)

Canine Coronavirus

viral, military dog story, secondary bacterial illness likely which makes treatment more difficult, constantly mutates making vaccines uncertain, diarrhea

Herpes

viral, severe in late pregnancy and puppies, most die within 24 hours, C-section and no contact with mother for prevention, have for life

CAV 1 (Infectious Canine Hepatitis)

viral, direct contact, stool/saliva/urine, fatal/mild/acute forms, vaccine

Kennel Cough

viral, highly contagious (shelters make this a big problem), can be bacterial, vaccines (but can still get), takes weeks to cure, life altering, but rarely life threatening

Rabies

viral, zoonotic (possum exception), bite, mad or dumb stage, routine vaccine, quarantine, cutting open the brain is only way to test

Histoplasmosis and Blastomycosis

Fungal, histo- and blasto- refer to diarrhea, lesions, and weight loss

Coccidioidomycosis

Fungal, cocci- refers to mild respiratory issues

Ringworm

Fungal, skin irritation, hard to detect because of fur

Coccidiosis

Protozoan, more common in young cats and dogs, problem in southern US, caused by filth, overcrowding, and dampness

Toxoplasmosis

Protozoan, most cats are hosts, caused by consuming infected organisms (birds, squirrels…), humans can get (uncooked meats), various symptoms, birth defects in humans in vitro, 3rd leading cause of food borne illness deaths in US

FPL (Feline Panleukopenia)

viral, hard to kill, prevention/vaccine, can’t drink water, vomiting, and fever

FeLV (Feline Leukemia Virus)

viral, death typically within 3 years of diagnosis, acute or chronic, leads to cancer, contracted through bites, mating, or saliva

FIV (feline immunodeficiency virus)

viral, less common in the US, usually die from secondary infections because of weak immune system, separate infected cats and test, main transmission is biting

FIP (feline infectious peritonitis)

viral, many cats are carriers, caused by coronavirus, vaccine (but no 100% effective), wet (fluid around heart) and dry forms, usually ends in death

Roundworms

internal parasite, serious (but common) in puppies, deworm at 2-3 and 5-6 weeks, can hatch up to 200,000/day, intestines, passed in stool, lives in soil

Hookworms

Internal parasite, small and thin, hook to intestine wall and draw blood, can kill puppies, puppies can get it from mom’s milk, lives in soil

Tapeworms

internal parasite, also seen in humans, caused by uncooked meat or fleas, usually not life threatening in dogs (like it can be in humans)

Heartworm

Internal parasite, live in right side of the heart, caused by mosquitoes, 250 worms, asymptomatic for a long time, treatment is complex and expensive

Sarcoptic Mange

External parasite, mite, scratching/biting the site, can infect humans, but easily treated (only live for 3 weeks), can be seen in cats

‘Red’ Mange

External parasite, less zoonotic but more serious, some breeds are immune (Great Dane), not seen often in cats

Walking Dandruff

External parasite, common in puppies, very contagious

Flea

External parasite, most common, feed on blood, disease carrier

Lice

External parasite, bite and feed on skin or blood, ear irritant

Ticks

External parasite, most common in brown dog tick, suck blood, carry MANY diseases

Mites (dogs and cats)

Scabies, chiggers, and mange

Most Common Dog Vaccines (US)

Rabies (required), DHPP (distemper, hepatitis, parainfluenza, parvo [A/A2 = kennel cough])

Most Common Cat Vaccines (US)

Rabies (required), FVRCP, FeLV

(not FIV because it is less common in the US)