Vaccines &
Infectious Diseases
'Why do they need these vaccines?' A common question at the vet. Here are some great resources for many infectious processes and what to be aware of, especially if your pet is not vaccinated.
Common Diseases
Please note: There are many different infectious medical concerns in the veterinary world. As this page has many of our common concerning disease processes for our area, click a button below to be taken directly to a specific disease process if you would like to avoid scrolling the full page.
Rabies
(core vaccine - required by law)
Signs:
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​Behavior changes (fearful, aggressive, attention seeking, etc.)
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Dissociation to situations
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Excessive drooling (however, foaming at the mouth is not a consistent/tell-tale symptom like you may have seen it is dramatized in media)
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Ataxia (difficulty walking or controlling limb movement)
Transmission:
​The virus is secreted in saliva and is usually transmitted to people and animals by a bite from an infected animal or, less commonly, when saliva from a rabid animal comes into contact with an open cut on the skin or the eyes, nose, or mouth of a person or animal.
Diagnosis & Treatment: Post mortem (after death) evaluation of the brain is the only confirmatory diagnosis of Rabies. If clinical signs are present, there is no treatment and the animal will likely pass from the disease within days, if not humanely euthanized sooner.
​
PREVENTION THROUGH VACCINATION IS KEY.
Zoonotic
Can Be Transmitted to Humans
Canine Distemper
(core vaccine)
Signs:
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Gastrointestinal Upset (vomiting/diarrhea)​
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Lethargy (more subdued/sleepy)
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Lack of appetite
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Difficulty controlling limb movement
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Directional confusion (unable to walk a straight line)
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*Unique symptom* : hardening of paw (and nose) pads (giving this virus the nickname 'Hard Pad Disease')
Transmission:
The virus is contracted and spread via body fluids like respiratory droplets, saliva, or urine, and may be contagious for several months. Infected mother dogs can pass the virus to their unborn puppies.
Diagnosis & Treatment:
Diagnosis can be confirmed through clinical signs and laboratory testing. There is no current cure for canine distemper virus. Treatment includes medical management of symptoms present. If a dog is diagnosed with this virus they must also be kept away from all other animals to prevent transmission.
Additional Information:
Please see the links below for a more comprehensive information on Canine Distemper.
Canine Parvovirus
Also known as Parvo
(core vaccine)
Signs:
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Decreased activity​
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Lack of Appetite
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Vomiting/Diarrhea (may be blood tinged depending on severity of infection)
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Bloated and/or tender abdomen
Transmission:
​Canine parvovirus is easily spread by direct contact with infected dogs, contact with feces (stool) from infected dogs, or contact with virus-contaminated surfaces. Such surfaces can include kennels, food and water bowls, collars and leashes, and the hands and clothing of people who handle infected dogs.
Diagnosis & Treatment:
Diagnosis can be confirmed either by fecal testing in clinic or sent out for evaluation at the laboratory. Treatment includes medical management of symptoms. Due to the severity of vomiting/diarrhea that can occur, this often means an overnight stay in a 24 hour facility for monitoring and intravenous fluids. Other medical interventions may be indicated depending on what symptoms your pet is experiencing.
Additional Information:
Please see the links below for a more comprehensive information on Canine Parvovirus.
Leptospirosis
(common vaccine)
Signs:
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Lethargy (more subdued/sleepy)
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Lack of Appetite
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Fever
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Yellowing of skin and or whites of eyes (Jaundice)
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Joint pain
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Changes to urination quantity (amount) or frequency
Transmission:
Leptospirosis is a disease that can affect people and animals, including pets and farm animals, rodents, and wild animals like wild pigs and marine mammals. The bacteria that cause leptospirosis are spread through the urine (pee) of infected animals. The bacteria can contaminate water or soil, where it can survive for weeks to months.
Diagnosis & Treatment:
Different testing is available to diagnose leptospirosis commonly by urine or blood. Depending on how far the disease has progressed, additional testing may be recommended to check organ function (primarily liver and kidneys). An antibiotic treatment will be necessary to treat diagnosed leptospirosis as prescribed by your veterinarian. Additionally, depending on the severity of symptoms and affect it has had to organ function, supportive therapies for secondary incidence may be necessary.
Zoonotic
Can Be Transmitted to Humans
Kennel Cough
Also known as Canine Infectious Respiratory Disease (CIRDC)
(common vaccine)
Signs:
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Coughing (most often described as 'honking', 'retching' or 'dry')​
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Lack of appetite
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Increased eye or nasal discharge
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Fever
Transmission:
​Dogs can catch CIRDC through close or direct contact (e.g., licking or nuzzling) with infected dogs, breathing in cough or sneeze droplets from infected dogs, and exposure to droplet-contaminated items such as toys, bedding, people's hands, or water bowls.
Diagnosis & Treatment:
Due to the variety of specific infectious cause and a combination of virus' and bacteria (Bordetella, Parainfluenza, etc.) that may be affecting your pet, diagnosis is often not by laboratory testing. Physical exam and history are the greatest indicators of a likely infection. If symptoms persistent more than 7-10 days or progress to a point of great discomfort for the pet, fluid swabs can be taken and evaluated for a specific cause to determine appropriate treatment course. Often treatment is management of secondary symptoms. Antibiotics are prescribed on a case by case basis and may not be needed for all cases. Most infections are due to a bacterial component of the disease complex. Rest, to prevent further irritation to the throat from leashes or running, is the most critical part of recovery.
Feline Leukemia Virus
Also known as FeLV
(vaccine available)
Signs:
FeLV has the ability to affect a cat in numerous ways, such as a weakened immune system and increased risk of cancer. There are unfortunately, not direct signs or symptoms related to Feline Leukemia Virus. This virus is often discovered through routine lab work testing or as the primary cause to a secondary infection or disease process.​
Transmission:
Transmission is through prolonged cat to cat contact by bodily fluids, including saliva, urine, feces, blood or even milk (from mother cat to kitten). Therefore, it is recommended to keeps all (but especially positive) cats indoors to prevent transmission. Additionally, positive cats should be the only cat in the household or cohabitate with other FeLV+ cats.
Diagnosis & Treatment:
Depending on the infection type, testing for antibodies can be completed within the clinic. If negative, but there is concern of exposure, retesting a few months after the initial test will likely be recommended. There is no current cure for feline leukemia virus. Treatment includes medical management of symptoms present.
Additional Information:
FeLV is a complex disease.
Please see the below links for a more comprehensive coverage of the disease process.
Feline Immunodeficiency Virus
Also known as FIV
(no vaccine available)
Signs:
Signs/symptoms will vary depending on their current 'stage' of the infection. Please refer to the linked resources listed to read further on each of these stages. ​
Transmission:
Transmission is through penetrative cat to cat contact by saliva, such as a bite. Therefore, it is recommended to keeps all (but especially positive) cats indoors to prevent transmission. Additionally, positive cats should be the only cat in the household or cohabitate with other FIV+ cats.
Diagnosis & Treatment:
Depending on the current stage, testing for antibodies can be completed within the clinic. If the in-clinic test is positive for FIV antibodies, further testing may be recommended for confirmation of infection. If negative, but with symptoms present, additional specialized testing is available to assess for active antigen. There is no current cure for feline immunodeficiency virus. Treatment includes medical management of symptoms present.
Additional Information:
FIV is a large and complex disease. Please see the below links for a more comprehensive coverage of the disease process.