Vaccinations have revolutionised the control of infectious diseases in our pets! It is essential that all pets are adequately vaccinated to help protect the pet population as a whole. Responsible pet care requires kittens and puppies to be given their initial course of vaccinations, but of course, this cannot protect them for the rest of their lives. Adult cats and dogs require regular vaccinations to maintain immunity against disease throughout the entirety of their life.

Canine Parvovirus

(Also known as "Parvo")

Canine Parvovirus ("Parvo") is a disease that affects dogs of all ages but is most common in young dogs. The virus attacks the intestines causing bloody diarrhoea, uncontrollable vomiting and severe abdominal pain. Unfortunately, some infected dogs will die from parvovirus, even if they receive intensive veterinary care.

Parvovirus is spread via dog faeces, and is very persistent in the environment even after the faeces has been cleaned away, causing it to be known as a very infectious disease. For this reason, it is not necessary to have direct contact with other dogs for the disease to be spread. The virus is so persistent that an infected dog’s environment needs to be cleaned with a potent disinfectant to prevent spread to other dogs. Outbreaks occur regularly especially in summer, with an estimated 20,000 dogs infected every year in Australia.

Infectious Canine Hepatitis

(Also known as Canine Adenovirus type 1)

Canine (Kennel) Cough

Canine "Kennel" Cough is a condition produced by several highly infectious viruses and bacteria, which can be easily spread wherever dogs congregate, such as parks, grooming salons, doggy day care, shows, obedience schools and boarding kennels. Among the infectious agents associated with Canine "Kennel" Cough is the bacterium known as Bordetella Bronchiseptica and the canine viruses Parainfluenza, Adenovirus Type 2 and Distemper.

Affected dogs have a dry hacking cough which can persist for several weeks. It is distressing for dogs and their owners. It is a major problem for working and sporting dogs. Pneumonia can also be a consequence of infection, particularly in young animals.

Canine Leptospirosis

Canine Leptospirosis is a serious disease risk in some areas and can cause high death rates. This bacterial disease is spread by the urine of infected rats and other rodents, and is usually transmitted to dogs who ingest contaminated food and water (e.g. drink from puddles), dogs who eat rats, or those who have been bitten by infected rats.

There’s an increased risk where high rat populations exist such as in cities, near rubbish dumps or around sugar cane areas. The likelihood of contracting the disease can also increase after long periods of wet weather or building activity, when rat populations are forced to move or concentrate. Leptospirosis is a ‘zoonotic disease’ meaning it is an animal disease that can be passed to humans. Human infection can occur through ingestion of contaminated food or water, or through open wounds.

Canine Distemper Virus

Canine Distemper is a highly contagious viral disease that can affect dogs of any age with young puppies being at highest risk.

Symptoms vary but can include fever, coughing, sneezing, nasal discharge, vomiting, diarrhoea, loss of appetite and depression. Muscle tremors, fits and paralysis may occur later in the disease. Treatment is usually ineffective and the recovery rate very low. Dogs that do recover may have permanent brain damage.

Canine Coronavirus

Canine Coronavirus is another contagious virus which can cause depression, loss of appetite, vomiting, and diarrhoea, especially in young dogs. Diarrhoea may last for several days in some cases. Although most dogs will recover with treatment, coronavirus has the potential to be fatal, especially if other infectious agents such as Parvovirus are present.

Feline Panleukopenia Virus

(Also known as Feline Enteritis or Feline Parvovirus)

This is a very contagious disease with a high death rate, especially for young cats under 12 months of age. Pregnant cats may lose their young or give birth to kittens with abnormalities such as brain damage, if they were positive for the disease before/during pregnancy. Symptoms of feline Panleukopenia are generalised and look like depression, loss of appetite, and uncontrollable vomiting and diarrhoea, often with blood and severe abdominal pain.
The virus spreads so easily that heavily contaminated areas can need cleaning with a special disinfectant to ensure it is completely eliminated.

Feline Respiratory Disease

(Also known as ‘Cat Flu’)

90% of ‘Cat Flu’ cases are caused by Feline Herpesvirus (also known as Feline Rhinotracheitis) and/or Feline Calicivirus.

Feline respiratory disease affects cats of all ages, especially young kittens. It is highly contagious and causes symptoms such as sneezing, coughing, runny eyes, nasal discharge, loss of appetite and tongue ulcers.

Fortunately, the death rate is low in adults, but unfortunately not so for young kittens. However, the disease is distressing and clinical signs may persist for several weeks. Recovered cats can continue to carry and spread the infection for long periods of time, and can show signs of the disease again if they become stressed.

Feline Immunodeficiency Virus

(FIV)

Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) attacks a cat’s immune system, similar to HIV in humans. Infected cats’ natural defence against other diseases may be seriously affected, much in the same way as human AIDS.

It is important to note that FIV is not transmissible to humans.

FIV is almost always transmitted by bites from infected cats, since the virus that causes the disease is present in saliva. While some infected cats show no sign of disease, others may display initial symptoms such as fever, loss of appetite, diarrhoea, lethargy and swollen lymph nodes. As the disease progresses, symptoms that may occur are weight loss, sores in and around the mouth, eye lesions, poor coat and chronic infections. Eventually, the immune system may become too weak to fight off other infections and diseases. As a result, the cat may die from one of these subsequent infections. Unfortunately in Australia, FIV is very common, with 1 in 7 cats with outdoor access infected with the virus.

Feline Leukaemia Virus

(FeLV)

This virus attacks the immune system and may be associated with lack of appetite, weight loss and apathy, pale or yellow gums, vomiting, diarrhoea, reproductive problems, increased susceptibility to other infections, leukaemia and tumours. However, many cats may be infected and show no signs at all.

About one third of infected cats remain chronically infected and may shed the virus in their saliva, tears, nasal secretions and urine. The disease is then spread to other cats through close contact (e.g. shared food/water bowls, mutual grooming), fighting, sneezing or even flea bites.

Chlamydia Felis

Chlamydia Felis is a bacterial disease which is responsible for up to 30% of conjunctivitis in cats, and causes severe and persistent signs.

Kittens are more commonly affected by Chlamydia Felis when also infected with the “Cat Flu”, and Chlamydia Felis can be shed for many months. The disease is transmitted primarily through direct, close contact between cats, especially via ocular (eye) and respiratory secretions.  This disease is treatable with medication. However, if left untreated for extended periods of time, it can lead to more severe and irreversible damage to the cat's eyes.