Cats
FELINE PANLEUCOPAENIA
Similar to gastro in humans, this is a highly contagious disease in cats which causes vomiting and diarrhoea. It is often fatal as it progresses so rapidly and causes severe dehydration
CAT FLU
Cat flu is caused by two viruses, feline rhinotracheitis and herpes. It is more common in exotic cat breeds and has similar symptoms to flu in humans: runny nose and eyes, sneezing, loss of appetite, fever and dehydration.
FELINE CALICIVIRUS
A disease which causes severe ulcers in a cat’s mouth, causing loss of appetite. Another symptom is fever.
FELINE CHLAMYDIA
This disease is very easily transmissible and is reported to affect up to 20% of all cats in Australia. In addition, it can be passed onto humans, so it is a highly important disease to vaccinate against. Symptoms include pneumonia, conjunctivitis and upper respiratory disease.
FELINE LEUKAEMIA
A highly contagious viral infection. It damages cats’ immune systems, which means that they are much more susceptible to bacterial, viral and fungal infections. Infection with the virus is also linked to development of leukAemia and other cancers, which are very often fatal.
Dogs
CANINE DISTEMPER
A very dangerous virus as it is highly contagious and also progresses very rapidly. It is often too late to treat if a dog is unvaccinated. The virus initially effects a dog’s respiratory and gastrointestinal systems. Causing a runny nose, vomiting and diarrhoea. Then progresses to affect their brain and nervous system. This stage is characterised by seizures and is often fatal.
CANINE HEPATITIS
It mainly affects a dog’s liver, but also causes damage to their blood vessels, kidneys and eyes. Infection is often fatal. Dogs that survive often suffer with chronic liver or eye conditions that require life-long treatment.
CANINE PARVOVIRUS
Parvovirus is one of the most contagious viruses that can affect dogs. It is invariably fatal, especially in puppies. Early symptoms include vomiting, diarrhoea, and dehydration. Followed by shock and septicaemia (blood infection), and commonly causes heart failure. Older dogs have an increased chance in survival. But they are still capable to passing the condition onto susceptible puppies. We strongly recommend that you vaccinate them regardless of their age.
CANINE COUGH
Often called ‘kennel cough,’ this disease can affect dogs of all ages. It is caused by two types of viruses: canine bordatella, or canine influenza (which is similar to whooping cough). The disease causes cold-like symptoms like a runny nose, coughing and sneezing. So is transmitted through the air. Older dogs are particularly at risk, as the disease can progress to pneumonia.
LEPTOSPIROSIS
Leptospirosis is caused by a bacterium which can affect any animal, including people. The bacterium is spread through animal’s urine, mainly rats (or cattle), which can then contaminate water, particularly stagnant water. Once infected the bacteria can cause many different symptoms in animals, this can range from lethargy, fever, diarrhoea and vomiting to kidney failure, liver failure and even death.