Feline Upper Respiratory Infections

Feline Upper Respiratory Infections can be caused by any of several infections:  Feline Pneumonitis (Chlamydophila), Rhinotracheitis (Herpesvirus), Calicivirus, and a few others causes symptoms similar to those of a head cold.

Feline Distemper

Feline distemper (also called "feline panleukopenia") is a generally lethal infection in kittens and young adult cats. It has no relationship to canine distemper, but is closely related to canine parvovirus.  This virus forms the basis of regular feline vaccination, and represents one of the most classical diseases in feline practice.

Feline Leukemia Virus

Feline Leukemia Virus is a deadly virus of usually young cats and kittens. Mortality is high with 80% of infected cats dying within the first 3 years. No effective treatment has emerged but vaccination is preventive. We have assembled some external links to create an informative collection regarding this terrible infection.

Feline Infectious Peritonitis

FIP is a very serious disease with nearly 100% mortality.  Testing is extremely difficult and a tremendous amount of misinformation has circulated. We would like to present an FAQ to hopefully straighten out what is known about this condition.

Rabies Vaccination For Cats

Dogs are not the only animals susceptible to this deadly disease. Rabies may sound like an old fashioned disease but, it fact, it is an important worldwide cause of human death and, once symptoms begin, there is no treatment. Click here to review this infection.

Canine Distemper

Canine Distemper was once the scourge of dog-owning communities but is now only common in rescue, shelter, and pet store situations.  What is the infection that ultimately formed the very basis of regular canine vaccination? This page has the details, plus an FAQ.

Canine Parvovirus

This disease practically needs no introduction. Due to the large number of common questions on this subject, we have established an entire Parvo Information Center.

Canine Leptospirosis

This is the “L” in DHLPP. The disease is caused by a spirochete and has the potential to infect humans. Catch a glimpse of the little critter on our Leptospirosis page.

Kennel Cough Complex
and Bordetella

Because this disease is so easy to pick up from other dogs in close quarters, it’s name is associated with kennels housing large numbers of dogs. In fact, it doesn’t require a large number: exposure to one other dog with kennel cough is all it takes. There are many infectious agents contributing to what is now called "Canine Infectious Respiratory Disease Complex" and they can cause disease in combination or alone.

Canine Influenza

While it is true that most dogs are susceptible to infection, mortality is 5-8% rather than the more dramatic figures quoted by some alarmist emails. This virus is to be respected, as should be the human influenza virus. Separate the fact from the myth by reading this article (in the Medical Library).

Rattlesnake Bites

How many poisonous snakes call California their home? It turns out they are all rattlesnakes, and there are eight types. Dogs encounter snakes during play or work and often end up with venomous bite as a result. What do you need to know about this situation? Read this article (in the Medical Library) to find out.

Rabies Vaccination For Dogs

After hundreds of years, this disease is still incurable once symptoms start. Visit this page to find out about the causes, symptoms and regulations.

Lyme Disease

Lyme disease has received so much press coverage that most people have some idea of what it is, but there is a tremendous confusion beyond the fact that it comes from tick bites. The disease situation in the dog is very different from that in humans, which makes matters even more confused. Should you vaccinate your dog? How worried should we be? The answers are not always black and white, but here is a summary of what is known.