Prevention is better than cure

An old adage, but one of great importance, particularly when you consider the infectious diseases our pets can get. All of the common domestic animals can be vaccinated against a variety of diseases, some of which can be fatal. These diseases are now rarely seen – thanks mainly to the use of the vaccines

Dogs

Distemper. This can start with a cough or occasional vomiting, before progressing to the brain and leading to fitting and death. It is thankfully rarely seen except in areas with many stray dogs. In some cases there is a thickening of the pads leading to its old name of Hard Pad.

Adenovirus. This causes hepatitis, which can be fatal if not treated promptly. It can also lead to changes in the Eye which gives rise to its other name of Blue eye.

Parvovirus. Infection with parvo leads to a severe gastroenteritis with continual vomiting and lots of foul smelling bloody diarrhoea. It usually occurs in puppies and they sadly rarely survive. Parvo was at its height in the early 1980s before a vaccine brought it under control

Leptospirosis. A bacterial disease that also occurs in rats, cattle and man. It is not very common but can lead to severe anaemia and is rapidly fatal despite aggressive treatment.

Other diseases that we vaccinate for include parainfluenza, which causes coughing and coronavirus that can cause a mild diarrhoea. Many dogs are also vaccinated for Kennel cough – using a vaccine that goes up the nose. Not surprisingly, most dogs don’t like this, so we only do it at times of high risk such as kennelling.

Cats

Cat Flu. As its name implies this is a highly infectious respiratory disease. Cats can recover from it, but they need intensive nursing

Feline Enteritis. A disease similar to parvo in dogs, which in young kittens and older animals can be fatal

Feline Leukaemia. This viral disease can lead either to the cat’s immune system being destroyed (so they become susceptible to other infections) or to tumours occurring throughout the body. A vaccine for Leukaemia has been available for about 15 years, so we now see this disease extremely rarely. It is passed between cats at mating or from fights.

Chlamydia. This produces a flu-like illness and the cat can become a carrier so will keep showing symptoms of sneezing if stressed.

Rabbits

Myxomatosis. Most people will have heard of this and probably seen wild rabbits with the disease. Characterised by swollen eyes and lumps on the body, it is caused by a virus and is spread by rabbit fleas and midges and is sadly fatal.  Animals with Myxo may survive for several weeks - but if infection is severe, death can occur within days and euthanasia is the only option to prevent your pet from suffering.  Vaccination will decrease the risk of Myxomatosis.

Viral Haemorrhagic Disease This can be a cause of sudden death in rabbits – particularly in the young. It is spread by direct contact from an infected rabbit but can persist in the environment so contact with wild rabbits can be a source of infection.  VHD is a new and very serious disease which was first reported in China in 1984 and since then has spread rapidly with the first cases occuring in the UK in 1992.   This virus cannot be treated with antibiotics and so very little can be done once a rabbit is infected.  Symptoms are:  loss of appetite, dullness, paralysis of the hind limbs, spasms, respiratory distress, bloody discharge from the nose and suddden death.

We would always recommend vaccination to protect your pets from these conditions and it is best to discuss your individual pet’s needs with your vet.