Bordetella, also known as "Kennel Cough," is a highly contagious upper respiratory illness in dogs that spreads rapidly through direct contact or airborne particles. Vaccination is crucial for dogs who interact with other dogs in areas such as neighborhoods, boarding facilities, daycare centers, dog parks, or groomers.

Puppies, young dogs, and those with weakened immune systems are at higher risk and may experience more severe symptoms if not vaccinated.

Common symptoms include:

Canine Influenza, a viral infection that originated from a mutated strain in 2012, is highly contagious to dogs who were previously unexposed. A vaccine has been created to safeguard dogs and can be obtained upon request. Thankfully, this virus is not transmittable to humans.

Symptoms:

Distemper is a highly contagious viral disease that affects dogs, cats, ferrets, and certain wildlife. There is currently no known cure for this disease, which spreads through both direct and indirect contact.

Symptoms of distemper include:

Feline Leukemia (FeLV) is a viral infection transmitted between cats through saliva, feces, and lactation. Nursing kittens, feral or outdoor cats, and those in multi-cat households are at higher risk of infection. Unfortunately, there is no known cure for Feline Leukemia.

A blood test can be performed at our hospital to determine if a cat is infected with FeLV.

Symptoms:

Choosing the right flea and tick preventative for your pet can be overwhelming due to the many options available today. Factors to consider include your pet's lifestyle, age, breed, health status, and current medications. It is crucial to consult with your veterinarian before introducing a new product, as flea and tick preventatives are medications.

Topical medications, also known as "spot-on" products, are a popular form of prevention. These are applied to the base of the neck or between the shoulder blades and work by killing fleas and ticks. Oral medications are another option, but they do not have a repellent effect and may cause stomach upset or skin reactions.

Collars are a convenient option that do not require application or oral medication, but they may have strong odors or cause skin irritation. Flea and tick sprays can be effective but must be applied evenly, and pets must stay dry for the spray to work. Powders and shampoos are alternatives, but they may have side effects and are not long-term solutions.

Flea dips are concentrated liquids that can control fleas and ticks but are not a long-term solution. It is best to have a professional administer flea dips, especially for young, pregnant, or nursing pets.

When choosing a flea and tick preventative, consider your pet's specific needs and lifestyle, and consult with your veterinarian to find the most effective solution.

Heartworm tests are blood tests used to determine whether an animal is infected with heartworms. These tests can be performed in-house or sent to a reference laboratory. When done in-house, results are typically available within 10 minutes.

In dogs, the heartworm test detects antigens in the blood that are produced by female heartworms. A small blood sample is mixed with a test solution and applied to a tester containing antibodies. These antibodies bind to heartworm antigens (proteins produced by female worms). If antigens are present, a colored dot appears, indicating infection. These tests are highly accurate because infected dogs usually carry large numbers of heartworms. However, since heartworms take about six months to mature, early infections may not be detected.

For cats, two types of tests are available. The first is an antigen test, similar to the one used for dogs. This test detects antigens from three or more adult female heartworms. However, most infected cats carry only a few worms (typically 1-7), and some may have only male worms. If a cat has only male worms, the antigen test will likely return a negative result, even if the cat is infected. Therefore, while a positive antigen test confirms heartworm infection, a negative result does not rule out the disease.

The second type of test for cats is an antibody test. This test detects heartworm-specific antibodies in the bloodstream, which are produced when heartworm larvae reach the L4 stage. However, these antibodies are temporary and last only a few months. A positive antibody test indicates recent exposure to heartworms but does not confirm the presence of adult worms. A negative test provides limited diagnostic information. To improve detection, veterinarians often recommend performing both the antigen and antibody tests, though even this combination may not always identify an infection in some cats.

Hookworms, named for their hook-like teeth, are among the most dangerous intestinal parasites for dogs and cats due to their blood-feeding habits. These parasites use their sharp teeth to latch onto the intestinal lining, where they consume large amounts of blood. In young animals, a severe hookworm infestation can lead to life-threatening anemia.

As hookworms move through the intestine, they create bleeding ulcers at each attachment site.

Hookworms are common in dogs and cats. The subspecies *Ancylostoma caninum* can be transmitted to puppies through their mother’s milk, while kittens typically become infected through contact with contaminated environments. Due to their prevalence, all puppies and kittens should be routinely dewormed early in life. Since hookworms are tiny and not visible to the naked eye, laboratory testing is necessary for accurate diagnosis.

There are several ways pets can become infected with hookworms. Puppies often acquire the infection while nursing, as larvae pass through the mother’s mammary tissue into the milk. Additionally, puppies, kittens, and adult animals can ingest hookworm larvae from contaminated environments. These larvae hatch from eggs found in the stool of infected animals and can either be ingested directly or penetrate the skin of pets (and humans) who come into contact with contaminated soil. Once inside, the larvae migrate to the intestine to complete their life cycle. Dogs and cats may also become infected by consuming an infected animal. Even indoor pets are at risk, as insects like cockroaches can carry hookworm larvae, which may be accidentally ingested.

Hookworms are zoonotic, meaning they can infect humans as well. Infection usually occurs when hookworm larvae come into contact with exposed skin, often through activities like walking barefoot or digging in contaminated soil. While humans are not natural hosts for hookworms, the larvae can cause severe skin irritation as they migrate. Fortunately, the larvae cannot complete their life cycle in humans and will die within a few weeks. This condition, known as Cutaneous Larva Migrans, can be treated by a physician to reduce symptoms. Preventative measures such as wearing shoes and practicing good hygiene can help minimize the risk of transmission.

The hookworm life cycle takes approximately three to four weeks to complete.

Leptospirosis is a bacterial infection spread through the urine of infected wildlife. It is commonly transmitted via contaminated water sources, such as puddles, retention ponds, and slow-moving creeks. Your veterinarian will evaluate your pet’s lifestyle and potential exposure risks to determine whether vaccination against Leptospirosis is recommended.

Often referred to as “Lepto,” this disease can cause severe kidney and liver damage. Additionally, because Leptospirosis is zoonotic, it can be transmitted from animals to humans.

Symptoms

Lyme disease is a common tick-borne infection that affects both humans and dogs. It is particularly prevalent in the Northern Virginia area. Depending on your pet’s lifestyle and exposure risk, your veterinarian may recommend vaccination.

Ticks acquire the bacteria from wildlife and transmit it to your pet when they feed. For transmission to occur, the tick must remain attached for at least 48 hours. However, Lyme-carrying ticks are often very small and difficult to detect, making it essential to keep your pet on tick preventatives and consider vaccination.

Unlike humans, dogs do not typically develop the characteristic "bull's-eye" rash. Many dogs may not show immediate symptoms—or any symptoms at all—making Lyme disease challenging to detect. Even without obvious signs, the infection can still be present and impact your pet’s health.

If a pet tests positive for Lyme disease, antibiotics can be administered to reduce the bacterial load in the body. However, completely eliminating the bacteria can be difficult, and a low-level infection may persist even after treatment.

Symptoms

Lyme disease is the most common tick-borne illness affecting both dogs and humans in the United States. It is caused by the bacterium *Borrelia burgdorferi* and is transmitted through the bite of an infected tick. While many mammals can become infected, dogs and horses are most likely to show clinical signs, whereas cats are naturally resistant. Lyme disease is most prevalent along the East Coast and Great Lakes regions but is also found in other parts of the U.S.

Although several tick species can carry *Borrelia burgdorferi*, only the black-legged tick (deer tick) and the Western black-legged tick are known to transmit the disease. Infection occurs when a tick remains attached to a host for 24-48 hours, injecting saliva containing the bacteria into the bloodstream.

Many dogs infected with *Borrelia burgdorferi* do not develop symptoms. However, those that do typically experience fever, lameness, and general malaise. In rare cases, the bacteria may affect the kidneys, leading to protein loss and kidney failure. Although extremely uncommon, Lyme disease can also cause heart or neurological complications.

Treatment for Lyme disease includes antibiotics and supportive care. While antibiotics usually resolve symptoms, low levels of bacteria may persist in the body, leading to positive test results long-term. Some dogs may experience recurring symptoms during periods of stress or immune suppression, such as while undergoing cancer treatment.

The best protection against Lyme disease is prevention. Using a reliable year-round tick preventative significantly reduces your pet’s risk of exposure. Additionally, a Lyme vaccine is available to help protect dogs from infection if bitten by an infected tick. This vaccine is administered annually after an initial two-dose booster series. In some cases, your veterinarian may also recommend preventive antibiotic treatment following a tick bite.

At Caring Hands Animal Hospital, we recommend annual Lyme disease testing using our in-house Heartworm/Lyme/Ehrlichia/Anaplasmosis test. This is the most accurate way to screen for Lyme infection. If a dog tests positive, further testing or antibiotic treatment may be recommended. For dogs with a history of Lyme infection, we use the Lyme C6 test to measure antibody levels, helping assess the presence of *Borrelia burgdorferi* bacteria. If antibody levels are increasing, additional antibiotic treatment may be necessary.

While Lyme disease is not directly transmitted from animals to humans, people can become infected through the bite of an infected tick. Currently, there is no effective Lyme vaccine for humans, making tick prevention the best strategy for protection.

For more information on Lyme disease, refer to the links below:

Rabies is a deadly viral disease primarily transmitted by wildlife and other mammals in our area. As a zoonotic disease, it can spread from animals to humans. The virus is most commonly passed through the saliva of an infected animal, typically via a bite.

In Virginia, rabies vaccination is legally required for all dogs and cats.

Symptoms