Infectious Disease

Leptospirosis is a bacterial infection that has become more and more prevalent in both human and veterinary medicine worldwide. Most mammals are susceptible to infection.1 As humans expand their environmental footprint, encroachment on wildlife becomes a greater issue, and people, domestic pets, and wild reservoir hosts (e.g., raccoons) cross one another’s path more and more often.

Foster and rescue homes can be used for quarantine of cats exposed to the feline panleukopenia virus, say veterinarians, but when facilities or staff are insufficient and off-site options are not possible, euthanasia of infected animals may ultimately save lives by preventing continued spread.

The veterinary medical team must use effective communication and education to ensure clients understand the threat of tick-borne disease and the best preventive methods.

Discospondylitis is an infection of the vertebral endplates and associated intervertebral disk. The infection typically starts in the vertebral end plate, then spreads to the adjacent intervertebral disc. The blood supply within the vertebral endplates consists of capillary beds with reduced blood flow velocity. Pores in the end plate that normally allow for distribution of ...

Veterinary health care teams must take precautions to minimize the risk of transferring pathogens between patients and maximize their ability to fight infection.

This article was originally published in the November/December 2011 “Today’s Technician” column of Today’s Veterinary Practice. Today’s Veterinary Practice is the NAVC’s official, peer-reviewed journal for veterinarians. You can find the full list of “Today’s Technician” articles on the Today’s Veterinary Practice website. The diligence of the veterinary medical team regarding prevention of disease transmission is ...