Library

Infectious Diseases

  • Feline leukaemia virus (FeLV) is a potentially life threatening viral infection of cats. Fortunately because of attempts to control transmission and with the availability of good vaccines to protect against FeLV, the disease is much less common. As its name implies, FeLV is able to cause neoplasia (cancer) of the white blood cells (leukaemia), but in addition the virus may also cause the development of solid tumours (lymphomas) at various sites in the body. There is currently no specific treatment for FeLV infected cats (i.e., no treatment that is able to eliminate the virus from the body).

  • This is caused by the Myxoma virus which is widely distributed in the wild rabbit population. You might argue that your rabbit never comes into direct contact with animals from the wild and so does not need protection.

  • Tapeworms and roundworms are two of the most common intestinal parasites of cats. Tapeworms are long flat worms composed of many individual segments whereas round worms are much shorter and have rounded bodies.

  • Leptospirosis is a bacterial disease of dogs that can affect the blood, liver, or kidneys. It is caused by bacteria that are spiral shaped.

  • Oral papillomas are benign tumours of the epithelial lining of the mouth and throat caused by papillomaviruses. The viruses are specific for that species of animal and fairly site specific but can be transmitted to skin or eyes if the protective outer epithelium is damaged.

  • Papillomas are benign, but sometimes multiple, tumours caused by viruses. They are commonly known as warts.

  • Canine parvovirus (CPV) infection is a relatively new disease that first appeared in 1978. Because of the severity of the disease and its rapid spread through the canine population, CPV has aroused a great deal of public interest.

  • Owning a dog can be an extremely rewarding experience, but it also carries with it some responsibility. We hope these notes will give you some help.

  • Rabies is one of the most devastating viral diseases affecting mammals, including cats and humans. It is almost always fatal.

  • Rabies is transmitted by a virus and probably the most horrendous disease affecting warm blooded animals which include dogs and humans. It is almost always fatal.