Infectious diseases of Pets
Learn more about infectious diseases of pets by exploring our site and become a true expert on the animal kingdom. You'll find content created for the best professionals with pictures, videos and opinions.
31 articles
Tetanus is a neurological disease caused by a neurotoxin. It is caused in dogs by a bacterial infection that begins in the animal's body through an open wound. The toxin attacks the nerves, spinal cord and brain, causing muscle spasms in the animal. Contrary to popular belief, tetanus is not found exclusively...
Although a dog's paws are protected by a layer of keratinized tissue, it is still possible for them to develop a fungal infection. In fact, due to the greater contact a dog's feet have with various surfaces, they are one of the body parts which are most commonly exposed to fungus. Ringworm and yeast...
Canine infectious hepatitis (ICH) is an acute liver infection in dogs caused by canine mastadenovirus A. It is a highly contagious viral disease transmitted through the mouth or nose, where it replicates in the tonsils. Fortunately, widespread vaccination programs have greatly reduced the number of infected...
Due to the recent outbreaks of monkeypox reported outside its endemic African regions, there is cause for concern over the spread of this viral disease. As a zoonotic disease, the virus can be hosted in both humans and animals. This means the welfare of both human and animal family members is potentially...
Ringworm is a fungal skin infection that causes alopecic lesions with scaling and redness, usually starting on the head and later spreading to other parts of the body. Diagnosis and treatment are simple, but since it is a zoonotic disease, it must be treated carefully to prevent transmission to humans.
In...
When we see our dog is having trouble urinating, it is common for many dog guardians to ask can my dog get a UTI (urinary tract infection)? Dogs can indeed suffer from UTIs and do so in a similar way to humans. In fact, urinary and bladder infections in dogs are relatively common. Both male and female...
Feline Malassezia dermatitis occurs as a secondary effect of some pathological diseases, but can also be due to immunosuppressives, alterations to the skin or certain environmental conditions. This is a yeast-type fungus which occurs naturally as commensal flora in the skin and ear canals of cats. It also...
Feline cryptococcosis is the most common systemic fungal disease in cats. However, its infection incidence in the feline population is low, a seeming contradiction we will explain further. Cryptococcus fungi most frequently affect the nasal area, often resulting in an inflamed nose. Swelling of the...
Osteomyelitis in dogs is the inflammation of the bone due to a bacterial or fungal infection. This painful disease will need professional intervention as soon as possible as the treatment takes several weeks to various months, depending on the type of osteomyelitis and its severity.
In this AnimalWised article...
As with any disease which ends in -itis, stomatitis is a type of inflammation. In this case it is the inflammation of the mouth and gums. However, in cats, it is most commonly seen in the gums alone. It is very closely related to gingivitis. In fact, what we call stomatitis in cats is sometimes referred to...
When a person has stomach flu, diarrhea, abdominal cramps and vomiting may present as symptoms. One of the main causes of stomach flu (gastroenteritis) is the rotavirus. If we see similar symptoms in our dog, it is understandable we might wonder whether our dog is suffering from this viral intestinal disease. Can...
Metritis is something which can only happen to female dogs. This is because it is an infection of the uterus. A bacterial infection, it occurs during birthing or shortly thereafter. There are different causes of metritis, as we will see further on in this AnimalWised article. While we should be ensuring...
Bacteria are single-celled microscopic organisms that live in the environment, on the skin, in a respiratory tract and/or digestive and urinary tract of animals and people. Some bacteria are capable of causing diseases and reaching the blood, but this is normally done so in a small number and can be killed...
Rabies is a disease that can affect all mammals, including humans. Although rabies is not a very common in cats, it is very dangerous, since it has no cure and results in the death of an animal. Does your cat often leave the house and is in contact with other animals? If so, rabies prevention is key!...
If a cat is leaking brown fluid form their anus, it is most likely due to their anal glands. Although it will be coming from the anal area, it could be from these glands located just next to the anus itself. These anal glands serve very important purposes, including aiding in defecation and scent recognition....
Rabies is generally associated with dogs. We may fear stray dogs in case they are rabid, especially if they seem aggressive, but the same fear rarely occurs when encountering cats. However, in a 2008 study by the American CDC (Center for Disease Control and Prevention), it was shown that more rabies cases...
Anemia is not a disease in itself, but a blood disorder which often results from disease, as well as other causes. It describes the condition of low red blood cells and/or low hemoglobin in the dog's blood. There are several types of anemia, each with its particular characteristics and respective treatments....
We use the term "mosquito" to name numerous species that make up different families of diptera nematocera. Despite their small size, mosquitoes are responsible for numerous health risks to our families and animals.
Although some species are completely harmless, the females of the families Culicidae and...
The normal body temperature in cats fluctuates between 38ºC and 39.5ºC (100.4ºF and 103.1ºF). When the internal body temperature of a cat exceeds this top parameter they have a fever. A cat will have a fever due to their health being impaired, usually due to their body fighting an infection of some sort....
While it is an invasive procedure, spaying your dog has a range of benefits. Their lack of ability to become pregnant prohibits the birth of puppies we don't have the resources to care for and thus reducing the cases of abandoned pets which need shelter care. Neutering also helps with their psychological...
Female dogs breastfeed like all mammals, their name deriving from their mammary glands used to produce milk. This milk is full of nutrients and designed to keep their vulnerable puppies fed and protected from potential infection. Sometimes these mammaries can become engorged, often looking red or swollen....
Blood in a dog's urine can be a worrying sign. It's called hematuria and is usually a symptom that your dog's health is impaired, possibly seriously. The most common causes can range from urinary tract infections (UTIs) to tumors, kidney stones to infectious diseases like parvovirus. Therefore, if you see drops...
Feline infectious rhinotracheitis is a very serious and highly contagious disease that affects a cat's respiratory system. This infection is caused by the Herpersvirus Feline 1 (HVF-1) virus and generally affects cats with a low immunity.
When the infection is acute, the prognosis is rather reserved....
Perianal fistulas in cats are a medical condition characterized by the formation of abnormal tunnels or tracts around the anal region. These fistulas can be quite painful and are often associated with other underlying health issues. While the exact prevalence of perianal fistulas in cats is not well-documented,...
Our dogs' ears are very sensitive to lesions. An otitis can cause our pet to go through a very important decay and anorexia due to pain and discomfort.
Otitis externa can cause a perforated eardrum due to secretion and inflammation of the ear canal. The medical treatment varies according to whether...
If you have a cat, you will know that these pets are very special. To take care of your faithful companion it is important that you know which diseases they can suffer from. AIDS in cats is one of the diseases, along with feline leukemia, that is greatly affecting the cat population. However, even if you...
Toxoplasmosis is an infectious disease that can affect cats as well as dogs. The disease can be worrying if the cat's owner is pregnant; although it's difficult, the disease might be transmitted to the fetus. If someone at home is pregnant and you suspect your cat has toxoplasmosis, go to the doctor and the...
Canine mastitis is one of the most common conditions that affect nursing dogs or dogs that have recently given birth; it can even occur in female dogs that are not pregnant. For this reason, if a bitch is a member of our family it is important to know the symptoms that it can cause and the treatments that...
When making the important decision of welcoming a dog into your home, you are accepting responsibility for all their physical, psychological and social needs. Although it is a responsibility to be taken seriously, the joy you receive in return is well worth your dedication as that strong and special...
Canine rabies is possibly one of the most infamous conditions affecting dogs worldwide. Any mammal can catch this disease, but it mostly affects dogs. The only places that are free from rabies virus are Australia, the British Isles, and Antarctica. Other than those places, rabies exists everywhere in the...
Fever as we know it is not unique to humans, dogs can also experience it and we should be alert to its warning symptoms. Temperatures that are lower or higher than usual for a dog may be an indicator of fever.
Remember that it can not communicate what is happening or when something is wrong, you must...