Animal Diseases Essay Research Paper Diseases of

Animal Diseases Essay, Research Paper

Diseases of Animals, are disorders that influence an animal’s health and ability to function. Animal diseases are a great concern to humans for several reasons. They can reduce the productivity of animals used to produce food, such as hens and dairy cows. Animals that are raised for food, such as pigs and beef cattle, that become ill may affect the economy of many industries. Some animal diseases can be transmitted to humans, and control of these types of diseases, known as zoonoses, is vital to public health.

Animal diseases are identified as infectious and non infectious. Infectious diseases are caused by an agent, such as bacteria or a virus, while non infectious diseases are caused by factors such as dieting, environment, injury, and heredity. Sometimes the cause of a disease is unknown. An animal may also experience more than one disease at the same time.

To identify a disease, a veterinarian first determines the animals species, breed, age, and sex. The information helps him identify a disease because some diseases are more prevalent in certain species, or a disease may preferably affect one sex or age group. The vet then gathers a complete history of the animal and its problem. This history includes the symptoms the animal is displaying and when they first appeared, as well as whether the animal has been exposed to something new in its surroundings or to other animals. The vet gives the animal a physical examination, which may include measuring its body temperature, listening to its heart, checking its pulse, and feeling its abdomen and lymph nodes. The vet then creates a list of possible diseases that may be making the animal sick. The list may be narrowed by running a few diagnostic tests such as X rays, electrocardiograms, blood analyzes, and bacterial or fungal cultures. Once the disease is identified, the doctor develops a treatment plan for the animal.

INFECTIOUS DISEASES

Many microscopic organisms exist in enormous amounts within animal bodies. For example, the multi chambered stomach of a cow contains bacteria that helps the animal digest its food. But many other microscopic organisms, known as pathogens, cause diseases in animals. Pathogens include bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites,. Pathogens are easily spread by an animal consuming food or drinking something that has been contaminated with infected material, for example. If the ground is contaminated by Salmonella bacteria, infection can travel from barn to barn on the soles of a farmer’s boots. Or an animal may be exposed while walking across contaminated ground. Some diseases are transmitted by biting insects; others are spread by sexual contact.

In addition to reducing the productivity fertility of livestock, some infectious diseases pose a danger to humans. Most cases are transmitted from animals that have close contact with humans, such as pets, farm animals, or rats. As the human population grows and expands into wilderness territories, humans are coming into closer contact with other animals that carry pathogens dangerous to humans. Some of these pathogens are carried by insects, like the case of the yellow fever, which is spread from monkeys to humans via mosquito bites. Some hemorrhagic fevers, such as that caused by Ebola virus, are recognized as zoonoses, but the exact route from animal to human is still unknown.

A. BACTERIAL DISEASES

Salmonellosis is a disease caused by the Salmonella bacteria, characterized by severe diarrhea. In its many forms, it is one of the major disease of wild and domestic animals, birds, and reptiles, along with humans. Salmonella bacteria usually enter the body through the mouth, most commonly along with food or water contaminated by infected filth. Transmission also may occur through direct contact with an infected animal. In addition, salmonella bacteria can be spread by contact with objects, such as bowls and cutting boards, that have been contaminated by infected animal products, such as eggs or meat.

Leptospirosis, is caused by spiral Leptospira bacteria, and affects cattle, dogs, pigs, sheep, goats, and humans. Ponds, lakes, and other bodies of water are common sources of leptospirosis, and rodents may carry the infection. This infection causes kidney disease and destruction of red blood cells with potential anemia; it may also cause abortion.

Tuberculosis is a chronic disease of animals and humans, caused by bacteria of the genus Mycobacterium and transmitted by inhalation of droplets from an infected animal’s cough or sneeze, or by a wound. TB infection causes lesions called tubercles to develop in certain tissues, such as the lung or liver. Symptoms include fever, emaciation, and progressive loss of strength.

B. VIRAL DISEASES

Feline leukemia is caused by the feline leukemia virus. Often fatal, it can seriously impair the immune system and, in some cases cause the growth of life-threatening tumors. Spread from direct contact with an infected cat, symptoms of the disease include lethargy, weight loss, anemia, and fever. A cat may not appear ill until years after exposure.

Foot and mouth disease is caused by a virus found in the saliva of cattle, pigs, and other hoofed animals. Highly contagious, it is spread from direct contact with an infected animal. It may also spread in milk or in garbage that contains cont