Leptospirosis is a disease caused by bacteria in the genus Leptospira; there are roughly 21 species, with more than 250 varieties (called serovars) that can cause disease. Because the organisms survive in surface waters (such as swamps, streams, and rivers) for extended periods, the disease is often waterborne. The disease affects virtually all mammals, including people, and has a broad range of effects, from mild, asymptomatic infections to multi
Leishmaniosis is a chronic, severe disease of humans, dogs, and certain other mammals caused by single-celled protozoa of the genus Leishmania. Canine leishmaniosis (also called viscerocutaneous leishmaniosis) is characterized by skin lesions and disease of internal organs.
Infection in dogs is prevalent in Central and South America, the Middle East, Asia, and the Mediterranean region. The disease is found intermittently in No
Infectious canine hepatitis is a worldwide, contagious disease of dogs with signs that vary from a slight fever and congestion of the mucous membranes to severe depression, severe reduction in white blood cells, and deficiency of blood clotting. In recent years, the disease has become uncommon in areas where routine vaccination is used.
Infectious canine hepatitis is caused by a virus, canine adenovirus 1. Consumption of urine, feces, or saliva from infected
Glanders is a contagious, short or longterm, usually fatal disease of horses caused by the bacterium Burkholderia mallei. The disease is characterized by the development of a series of ulcerating nodules. The nodules are most commonly found in the upper respiratory tract, lungs, and skin. People, dogs, cats, and other species are susceptible, but infections in dogs are uncommon. Infections in people are often fatal.
Prevention
Funguses (also called fungi) are parasitic, spore-producing organisms. They obtain their nourishment by absorbing food from the hosts on which they grow. Many species of fungus exist in the environment, but only a very few cause infections. The primary source of most infections is soil. Fungal infections can be acquired by inhalation, ingestion, or through the skin (for example, through a cut or wound).
Some fungal infections can cause disease in otherwise he
Clostridium perfringens is a bacterium that is widely distributed in the soil and the gastrointestinal tract of animals. It has the ability to produce poisonous substances (toxins) outside of the bacterial cell. Inflammation of the intestines (enteritis) and absorption of toxins (known as enterotoxemia) occur when these poisonous substances are released. Five types of Clostridium perfringens have been identified, but only one, Type A,
Canine ehrlichiosis is usually caused by the rickettsia Ehrlichia canis, although other types of Ehrlichia are sometimes involved. (Rickettsiae are a specialized type of bacteria that live only inside other cells.) Carried by ticks, the organism infects a certain type of white blood cell (called monocytes) and causes fever and other signs. A related organism, Ehrlichia ewingi, targe
Canine herpesviral infection is a severe, often fatal, disease of puppies. In adult dogs, it may be associated with upper respiratory infection, eye disease, an inflammation of the vagina marked by pain and a pus-filled discharge (in females), or inflammation of the foreskin of the penis (in males).
The disease is caused by a canine herpesvirus that occurs worldwide. Transmission usually occurs by contact between susceptible puppies or dogs and the infected o
Canine distemper is a highly contagious, whole body, viral disease of dogs. It is characterized by fever, loss of white blood cells, nasal discharge, digestive signs, and inflammation of the lungs and brain. The disease is seen worldwide in Canidae (dogs, foxes, wolves), Mustelidae (including ferrets, mink, and skunks), and several other species of wild animals.
Most cases of canine distemper d
Botulism is a motor paralysis caused by eating food containing the toxin (a poisonous substance) produced by Clostridium botulinum bacteria. This bacterium grows rapidly in decomposing animal tissue and sometimes in plant material. It results in rapid death due to the paralysis of vital organs. Botulism is an intoxication, not an infection.
There are 7 types of Clostridium botulinum; the C