Pet Infections: Pathogens and Symptoms Part 1

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Table Supporting: Pet Infections: Pathogens and Symptoms Part 1
DiseasePathogen (s)Animals involvedMode of transmissionSymptoms
African sleeping sicknessTrypanosoma brucei rhodesienserange of wild animals and domestic livestocktransmitted by the bite of the tsetse flyFever, severe headaches, irritability, extreme fatigue, swollen lymph nodes, and aching muscles and joints are common symptoms of sleeping sickness. Some people develop a skin rash.
AngiostrongyliasisAngiostrongylus cantonensis, Angiostrongylus costaricensisrats, cotton ratsconsuming raw and⟋or undercooked snails, slugs, other mollusks, crustaceans, monitor lizards, frogs and unwashed vegetables contaminated with larvaeInfection first presents with severe abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and weakness, which gradually lessens and progresses to fever, and then to CNS symptoms and severe headache and stiffness of the neck.
AnisakiasisAnisakiswhales, dolphins, seals, sea lions, other marine animalseating raw and⟋or undercooked fish and squid contaminated with eggsAnisakiasis are abdominal pain with nausea, vomiting, abdominal distention, diarrhea, blood and mucus in stool, and mild fever. Allergic reactions with rash and itching, and infrequently, anaphylaxis, can also occur.
AnthraxBacillus anthraciscommonly – grazing herbivores such as cattle, sheep, goats, camels, horses, and pigsby ingestion, inhalation or skin contact of sporesFlu-like symptoms, such as sore throat, mild fever, fatigue and muscle aches, which may last a few hours or days. Mild chest discomfort. Shortness of breath. Nausea. Coughing up blood. Painful swallowing.
BaylisascariasisBaylisascaris spp.raccoons, badgers, skunks, bears, pandas, fishers, martens, kinkajous, marmotsingestion of eggs in fecesNausea, Tiredness, Liver enlargement, Loss of coordination, Lack of attention to people and surroundings. Loss of muscle control. Blindness, Coma.
Bird fluInfluenza A virus subtype H5N1wild birds, domesticated birds such as chickensclose contactcough, diarrhea, respiratory, difficulties, fever (over 100.4°F or 38°C) , headache, muscle aches, malaise, runny nose, sore throat
BrucellosisBrucella spp.cattle, goatsinfected milk or meatFever, Chills, Loss of appetite, Sweats, Weakness, Fatigue, Joint, muscle and back pain, Headache.
Bubonic plague, Pneumonic plague, Septicemic plagueYersinia pestisrabbits, hares, rodents, ferrets, goats, sheep, camelsflea biteCough, with bloody sputum, Difficulty reathing, Nausea and vomiting, High fever, Headache, Weakness.
Cat-scratch diseaseBartonella henselae, Bartonella quintanacatsbites or scratches from infected catsbump or blister at the bite or scratch site, swollen lymph nodes near the bite or scratch site, fatigue, headaches, low-grade fever.
Chagas diseaseTrypanosoma cruziarmadillos, Triatominae (kissing bug)biteSwelling at the infection site. Fever. Fatigue. Rash. Body aches. Eyelid swelling. Headache. Loss of appetite.
Clamydiosis ⟋ Enzootic abortionChlamydophila abortusdomestic livestock, particularly sheepclose contact with postpartum ewesSymptoms in women may include vaginal discharge or burning with urination. Symptoms in men may include discharge from the penis, burning with urination, or pain and swelling of one or both testicles.
Variant Creutzfeldt – Jakob diseasePrPvCJDcattleeating meat from animals with bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE)loss of memory, which is often severe, problems concentrating, confusion, feeling agitated, aggressive behaviour, loss of appetite, which can lead to weight loss, paranoia, unusual and inappropriate emotional responses
CryptococcosisCryptococcus neoformanscommonly – birds like pigeonsinhaling fungiFever, Malaise

Pleuritic chest pain, Cough, usually nonproductive, Hemoptysis, Headache, Vision changes, Nausea and vomiting, Mental status changes, Meningitis, Seizures, Coma

CryptosporidiosisCryptosporidium spp.cattle, dogs, cats, mice, pigs, horses, deer, sheep, goats, rabbits, leopard geckos, birdsingesting cysts from water contaminated with fecesWatery diarrhea, Dehydration, Lack of appetite, Weight loss, Stomach cramps or pain, Fever, Nausea, Vomiting
Cysticercosis and taeniasisTaenia solium, Taenia asiatica, Taenia saginatacommonly – pigs and cattleconsuming water, soil or food contaminated with the tapeworm eggs (cysticercosis) or raw or undercooked pork contaminated with the cysticerci (taeniasis)Abdominal pain, nausea, diarrhoea or constipation may arise when the tapeworms become fully developed in the intestine, approximately 8 weeks after ingestion of meat containing cysticerci.
DirofilariasisDirofilaria spp.dogs, cats, wolves, coyotes, foxes, jackals, monkeys, raccoons, bears, muskrats, rabbits, leopards, sea lions, beavers, ferrets, reptilesmosquito bitePeople with symptoms can have cough, including coughing up blood, chest pain, fever, and pleural effusion, excess fluid between the tissues that line the lungs and the chest cavity.
Eastern equine encephalitis, Western equine encephalitis, and Venezuelan equine encephalitisTriple E, Western equine encephalitis virus, Venezuelan equine encephalitis virushorses, donkeys, zebras, birdsmosquito biteSevere cases of EEE (involving encephalitis, an inflammation of the brain) begin with the sudden onset of headache, high fever, chills, and vomiting. The illness may then progress into disorientation, seizures, or coma
Ebola virus disease a haemorrhagic feverEbolavirus spp.chimpanzees, gorillas, fruit bats, monkeys, shrews, forest antelope and porcupinesthrough body fluids, organs and ticksSymptoms of Ebola include. Fever. Severe headache. Muscle pain. Weakness. Fatigue. Diarrhea. Vomiting. Abdominal (stomach) pain.
Other haemorrhagic fevers (Marburg viral haemorrhagic fever, Lassa fever, Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever, Rift Valley fever)Varies – commonly virusesvaries (sometimes unknown) – commonly camels, rabbits, hares, hedgehogs, cattle, sheep, goats, horses and swineinfection usually occurs through direct contact with infected animalsThe haemorrhagic fevers are severe acute viral infections, usually with sudden onset of fever, malaise, headache and myalgia followed by pharyngitis, vomiting, diarrhoea, skin rash and haemorrhagic manifestations. The outcome is fatal in a high proportion of cases more than 50%
EchinococcosisEchinococcus spp.commonly – dogs, foxes, jackals, wolves, coyotes, sheep, pigs, rodentsingestion of infective eggs from contaminated food or water with feces of an infected, definitive host and⟋or furPain in the upper right part of the abdomen, Bloody sputum, Chest pain, Cough, Fever, Severe skin itching.
Foodborne illnesses (commonly diarrheal diseases)Campylobacter spp. , Escherichia coli, Salmonella spp. , Listeria spp. , Shigella spp. and Trichinella spp.animals domesticated for food production (cattle, poultry)raw and⟋or undercooked food made from animalsCommon symptoms of foodborne illness are diarrhea and⟋or vomiting, typically lasting 1 to 7 days. Other symptoms might include abdominal cramps, nausea, fever, joint⟋back aches, and fatigue.
GnathostomiasisGnathostoma spp.dogs, minks, opossums, cats, lions, tigers, leopards, raccoons, poultry, other birds, frogsraw and⟋or undercooked fish or meatDuring this early phase, many people have no symptoms or they may experience fever, excess tiredness, lack of appetite, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or abdominal pain. This phase may last for 2 or 3 weeks.
GiardiasisGiardia lambliabeavers, other rodents, raccoons, deer, cattle, goats, sheep, dogs, catsingesting spores and cysts in food and water contaminated with fecesCommon symptoms include: fatigue. nausea. diarrhea or greasy stools. loss of appetite. vomiting. bloating and abdominal cramps. weight loss. excessive gas.