Download MAJOR ZOONOSES OF DOGS AND CATS

MAJOR ZOONOSES OF DOGS AND CATS
PATHOGEN
TRANSMISSION
ANIMAL DISEASE
HUMAN DISEASE
Ehrlichia canis (dogs)

tick vector (brown dog
tick)

thrombocytopenia, anemia

Dipylidiasis
(Helminth infection of
both dogs and cats)
Borrelia burgdorferi
Lyme disease
Campylobacter spp.
(dogs)
Salmonella spp.

ingestion of flea or louse
vector

pruritus ani
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Ixodid tick vector
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inflammatory dermatosis, arthritis,
myocarditis, meningoencephalitis
gastroenteritis, diarrhea

diarrhea

gastroenteritis, diarrhea
Giardia spp.


diarrhea

diarrhea, fever, vomiting
Rabies

fecal-oral, contaminated
food or water sources
fecal-oral, contaminated
food or water sources
fecal-oral, contaminated
food or water sources
animal bite
lameness, fever, anorexia,
lymphadenopathy
diarrhea


Cryptosporidium spp.

Direct contact (fecal oral
transmission)

progressive neurologic
dysfunction, death
Transient diarrhea
Dermatophytosis
“Ringworm”
Cheyletiella spp.
Sarcoptes scabei

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raised circular lesions,
hyperkeratosis, alopecia
pruritic skin disease
pruritic skin disease, erythema,
wheal formation
orchitis, scrotal dermatitis,
generalized lymphadenopathy,
abortion

Brucellosis (dogs)
Pasteurella multocida

direct contact with
infected animals
direct contact
direct contact with mite
infested animal
exposure to aborted
fetuses, placental
material, urine, or vaginal
discharges
animal bite
progressive neurologic
dysfunction, death
Transient gastrointestinal function
in immunocompetent people,
protracted severe diarrhea in the
immunocompromised
raised circular lesions,
hyperkeratosis
pruritic skin disease
pruritic skin disease, erythema,
wheal formation
intermittent fever, malaise
skin abscesses, arthritis, otitis
media
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headache, myalgia, ocular pain,
anemia, gastrointestinal signs,
petechiation
pruritus ani
lymphadenopathy,
leptomeningitis, subcutaneous
abscesses
Yersinia enterocolitica
Leptospirosis


Toxoplasma gondii

Bartonella henselae
Cat Scratch Fever

fecal-oral
direct contact with
infected secretions or
tissues, animal bites
contaminated tissue of
fecal contact
animal bite or scratch


Subclinical infection, mild diarrhea
malaise, icterus, nephritis


Severe diarrhea
malaise, acute nephritis, icterus,
hepatitis, uveitis

abortions, still births, encephalitis,
myositis, birth defects, death
subclinical

abortions, still births, encephalitis,
myositis, birth defects, death
lymphadenopathy, fever, malaise,
encephalitis, local inflammation
and abscessation

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ALLERGENS OF DOGS AND CATS
Cats: Many people keep cats as pets. Therefore, sensitization can and does occur outside the laboratory environment. Furthermore, cat allergies
may further predispose those affected to developing allergies to other lab animals. There is a close link between immunological sensitization and
the development of asthma in people sensitive to these animals. The major cat allergen is the protein Fel d 1. It is produced by the sebaceous
glands of the skin and coats the hair shafts. It is also produced in the saliva.
Dogs: Like cats, sensitization to dogs may develop outside of the laboratory. The major dog allergen is Can f 1., but dog albumin has also been
identified as anther important allergen. Sources of exposure to dog allergens include saliva hair and skin.
References
Greene, CE. 1998. Infectious diseases of the dogs and cats. WB Saunders, Philadelphia, PA.
Kirk, RW and JD Bonagura. 1992. Kirk’s Current Veterinary Therapy XI. W. B. Saunders, Philadelphia, PA.
Committee on Occupational Health and Safety in Research Animals Facilities, Institute of Laboratory Animal Resources, Commission of Life
Sciences, National Research Council. 1997. Occupational Health and Safety in the Care and Use of Research Animals. National
Academic Press, Washington, DC.