The overcrowding situation in many animal shelters across the country often leads to the rapid spread of some of the more common and highly contagious diseases of the canine and feline populations. While all animals, including hamsters and rabbits, can fall prey to fleas and other small and contagious external parasites, many of the more deadly diseases affect the canine communities and several can be particularly deadly to small puppies.
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Canine Parvovirus
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Parvovirus is a highly contagious and very aggressive disease affecting the canine community. Also known as parvo, the disease is transmitted through contact with the feces from an infected dog. The disease mostly affects puppies, whose immature immune systems simply cannot handle the rapid attack of the virus on the digestive tract. According to the Dog Sites website, symptoms include diarrhea, vomiting, lethargy, lack of appetite and bloody, foul-smelling stools, and they appear within three to 12 days after the dog was exposed to the virus. If not detected right away, the disease can lead to death.
Kennel Cough
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Another highly contagious disease that mostly affects puppies, kennel cough is a severe upper respiratory infection. According to the Pet Education website, symptoms include a dry hacking cough, dry heaves, nasal discharge and, in very severe cases, lethargy, fever, a decrease in appetite, pneumonia and death. Depending on the severity of the individual case, cough suppressants or antibiotics may be used in an attempt to treat the disease.
Sarcoptic Mites and Mange
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Sarcoptic mites are little bugs that burrow into the skin of dogs and cats. They are highly transmittable, causing the infected animals to experience itching so severe it causes massive hair loss, inflammation of the skin, crusty scabs and self-mutilation. According to the Pet Center website, the drug ivermectin is used by experienced veterinarians, either in oral form or via injection, to kill sarcoptic mites.
Prevention/Solution
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Constant and thorough cleaning can help lessen the chance of a widespread infestation of communicable disease in animal shelters. Washing down kennels and holding areas down with bleach is recommended. In addition, limiting the number of animals confined to the same space and keeping all animals current with their required vaccinations can help reduce risk.
Feline Leukemia
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According to the Humane Society of the United States, feline leukemia is transmitted through contact with the saliva, urine and/or feces of an infected cat. The virus compromises the immune system, often leading to cancer or other fatal diseases. The disease is diagnosed through blood tests and there is no known cure.
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