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Pet Health Articles

Zoonotic Diseases

  • The Ebola virus is very contagious and is transmitted through blood, body fluids, and tissues, but not through air, water, or food. Ebola affects humans, non-human primates, and is carried by fruit bats. Other species do not appear to be affected, although there has been evidence of exposure to the disease in dogs, cats, and other domestic animals. Domestic animals are not believed to transmit the virus; however, there is a risk that they could transmit body fluids such as saliva on their fur to other humans. Any potential exposure to Ebola should be reported to your veterinarian who will contact the Center for Disease Control (CDC).

  • Poxvirus is related to the virus that causes smallpox in humans. In cats, infection usually causes skin lesions, such as ulcerations, scabs, or abscesses. Cats often recover on their own with no further symptoms unless they are immunocompromised. There is no specific treatment or vaccine.

  • Contenido en español actualizado.
    Translated from the original English article Rabies in Cats

  • Contenido en español actualizado.
    Translated from the original English article Rabies in Dogs

  • Rabies is a devastating viral disease that affects mammals, including cats and humans, and is caused by the rabies virus. Once clinical signs of rabies occur, the disease is nearly always fatal. Vaccination is the cornerstone of rabies prevention.

  • Rabies is a devastating viral disease that affects mammals, including dogs and humans, and is caused by the rabies virus. Once clinical signs of rabies occur, the disease is nearly always fatal. Vaccination is the cornerstone of rabies prevention.

  • Feeding raw food to cats is potentially dangerous - not only to the cat eating the raw food, but also to other pets and humans in the environment, due to the high likelihood of bacterial contamination. Raw food may also not be complete and balanced and could lead to nutrient deficiencies or toxicities. Consuming raw food with bones can lead to life-threatening foreign body obstruction.

  • Ringworm infections in cats are caused by a fungus, not a worm. Ringworm is highly contagious and can be spread between animals and from animals to people. The clinical signs, diagnosis, treatment, and risks are explained in this handout.

  • Ringworm infections in cats are caused by a fungus, not a worm. Ringworm is highly contagious and can be spread between animals and from animals to people. The clinical signs, diagnosis, treatment, and risks are explained in this handout.

  • Ringworm is a skin infection caused by a dermatophyte (skin 'loving') fungus of which there are several different species. The fungi that cause ringworm in horses include the Microsporum and Trichophyton species, that can infect not only horses but other animal species, including humans.