Which Bacteria Can Make Your Pet Sick?
Bacteria are microorganisms that can cause disease in different groups of animals. One example is dogs and cats, which are among the most common household pets.
General symptoms
Each disease has its specific symptomatology. The set of symptoms allows the veterinarian to determine if the disease is caused by bacteria, fungi, viruses or other and, therefore, to establish a specific diagnosis.
However, it must be considered that there may be generalized symptoms that make it possible to determine whether an infection is bacterial or not. Among these we can find:
- Behavioral changes.
- Fever.
- Loss of appetite.
- Sneezing or nasal discharge.
- Urinary problems.
- Muscle stiffness.
- Eye problems.
- Loss of balance.
If you observe any of these symptoms or a combination of them over a period of time, do not hesitate to contact a veterinarian. The specialist will tell you how to behave and will consider the symptoms when making the diagnosis.
Bacteria and diseases they can cause
Among the different diseases that can be caused by bacteria, we can mention the following:
- Pneumonia. It can be caused by Haemophilus influenzae , Bordetella bronchiseptica, or Streptococcus pyogenes .
- Intestinal tract. Escherichia coli may be mainly involved , but also Salmonella Spp. or Campylobacter Spp .
- Urinary tract. Kidney problems can sometimes be caused by a bacterial infection. Among the different bacteria stand out E. coli or Staphylococcus aureus .
- Skin infections. Pyoderma is a bacterial skin infection caused primarily by Staphylococcus pseudintermedius .
Both cats and dogs can carry different types of microorganisms or parasites. Hence, for this reason, they can act as intermediaries when it comes to transmitting diseases.
Diseases caused by bacteria in cats
Cats can develop different types of bacterial diseases. Among these the following can be mentioned:
Conjunctivitis
Conjunctivitis is a disease that can be caused by infectious agents, both bacteria such as Chlamydia spp. or Mycoplasma spp . or canine herpes virus. It can also be a symptom of other conditions.
This disease is more common in cats under six months of age who have not been properly cared for. However, it can also appear in adult felines when their immune systems are weakened.
To differentiate whether the causative agent is a bacterium or a virus, there are clues that can help. For example, it has been observed that bacterial infections are usually one-sided and the exudate is often whitish.
On the other hand, herpes virus causes a very contagious infection, which can be bilateral and occur in multiple litter members. The herpes virus remains dormant and can cause outbreaks in stressed adult specimens.
Diseases caused by bacteria in dogs
Dogs can also develop diseases caused by different types of bacteria. An example of a condition they can cause is:
Intestinal infection with Campylobacter Spp.
In this case, the intestinal infection in dogs is caused by two species of bacteria, Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter upsaliensis. These pathogens can also cause infections in humans, cats and other animals.
The main symptoms are diarrhea, abdominal pain or cramps, lethargy and fever. To correctly diagnose the causative agent, a blood and stool test is performed in the laboratory.
These bacteria are resistant to a large number of antibiotics. For this reason, erythromycin is often used, although this will depend on the condition of the dog. Antibiotics will reduce the number of bacteria, which reduces the risk of infection.
Infections caused by bacteria in dogs and cats
Dogs and cats can suffer from diseases caused by the same pathogen. An example is the ‘ Escherichia coli , the bacterium that causes the majority of urinary tract infections.
Urinary tract infection
Clinically, there are several symptoms. However, the most frequent signs of UTI are hematuria, pollakiuria, stranguria, and dysuria.
Another noteworthy feature is urination in improper places or incontinence. On the other hand, urine can show an atypical color and smell.
Symptoms, along with a blood test and urinalysis, allow for a correct diagnosis. In some cases, other complementary tests are needed, such as an ultrasound or endoscopy.
Tips to keep in mind
However, it must be said that the vast majority of existing bacteria do not cause any harm. Only 1% of the total is responsible for the various diseases whose infectious agent is bacteria.
In any case, when faced with any symptoms that show that the cat or dog may be sick, it is advisable to take him to a veterinarian as soon as possible. In fact, only a professional can decide which tests are needed to make a correct diagnosis.
This way, he can prescribe the antibiotics or medications he deems appropriate and can also suggest a number of preventative measures to consider. Always trust the specialist in these cases.
