General Disease & Parasite Vocab

Diseases

Rabies Description: How is it contracted? Symptoms: Prevention: Zoonotic viral disease of the nervous system How is it contracted? Contracted through the bites/scratches of infected animals (specifically through their saliva) which carries the virus Symptoms: CNS abnormalities, such as loss of coordination Extreme behavior changes , such as aggression Prevention: Vaccination

Toxoplasmosis Description: How is it contracted?: Symptoms: Zoonotic disease produced by infection of Toxoplasma gondii protozoan How is it contracted?: Spread through contaminated litter or cat feces Symptoms: Particular concern for pregnant women, as it can cause miscarriage, premature delivery and blindness Prevention: Wear rubber gloves to clean litter boxes, thoroughly wash hands afterwards

Ringworm Description: How is it contracted? Symptoms: Prevention: Zoonotic Fungal skin disease How is it contracted? Spread through contact with infection animal or materials exposed to infected animal Symptoms: Round, scaly encrusted lesions w/hair loss Prevention: Clean environment and supplies

Psittacosis (Parrot Fever) Description: Zoonotic respiratory disease How is it contracted? Contracted by caged birds w/contaminated feces Symptoms: Flu/Pneumonia –like symptoms Prevention: Wear dust mask when cleaning bird cages Eliminate mites/lice from environment by spraying cage and bird w/disinfectant

Cat Scratch Fever Description: How is it contracted? Symptoms: Zoonotic bacterial disease How is it contracted? Through scratches/bites of infected cat or through exposure of open wounds to bacteria Symptoms: Redness and swelling at site of bite/scratch Fatigue/headaches/fever Prevention: Avoid contact w/infected cats Wash hands after contact w/cats Use flea/tick prevention

Salmonellosis Description: How is it contracted? Symptoms: Prevention: Zoonotic bacterial disease, caused by Salmonella bacteria How is it contracted? Through contact w/salmonella bacteria which is on the skin of reptiles and amphibians Dirty environment Symptoms: Gastroenteritis (stomach upset) Fever, diarrhea, vomiting Miscarriage/spontaneous abortion in dogs Prevention: Wash hands after contact w/reptiles Clean environment

Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever Description: Zoonotic bacterial disease How is it contracted? Through bite of infected tick Symptoms: fever, headache, abdominal pain, vomiting, and muscle pain Rash may also develop, but is often absent in the first few days, and in some patients, never develops Prevention: Tick preventative Avoid woody areas during tick season

Lyme Disease Description: How is it contracted? Symptoms: Prevention: Zoonotic bacterial disease How is it contracted? Through bite of infected tick Symptoms: lameness, swollen joints, and fever Rash, distinctive skin lesions Hives, flue-like symptoms Prevention: Tick preventative Lyme vaccine Avoid woody areas during tick season

Parasites

Ticks Description: How is it contracted? Symptoms/Complications: external parasites that feed on the blood of host animals  How is it contracted? Dog picks up ticks in tall brush and grass Symptoms/Complications: Blood loss Anemia Tick paralysis Skin irritation and infection Prevention: Tick preventative Lyme vaccine Avoid woody areas during tick season

Ascarids/Roundworms Description: How is it contracted? Zoonotic, internal parasites that affects dogs and cats intestinal system How is it contracted? Dog picks up ticks in tall brush and grass Symptoms/Complications: Fever, headache, cough, poor appetite Prevention: Deworm pets Good sanitation

Hookworm Description: Small, thin intestinal worms that attach to an anima’s small intestines How is it contracted? Migration through the placenta in utero Ingesting infected mother’s milk Ingesting larvae in the soil Direct penetration of the skin through pads of feet Ingesting an intermediate host Symptoms/Complications: Severe blood loss Malnutrition Bloody wine-dark or tar-dark diarrhea Prevention: Deworm pets Good sanitation

Tapeworm Description: How is it contracted? Symptoms/Complications: Internal worm that lives in the small intestine and can range from several inches to several feet How is it contracted? Ingesting fleas or infected feces, animals or meat Symptoms/Complications: May cause AHD (Alveolar Hydatid Disease) – can be fatal or produce parasitic tumors/cysts in the liver White segments of worm moving on anus/rectal area of animal or on their feces Anal itching Prevention: Flea prevention Avoid feeding uncooked meat, raw game or dead animals