Write an article about Keeping pets safe from viruses, bacteria and parasites .Organize the content with appropriate headings and subheadings (h1, h2, h3, h4, h5, h6), Retain any existing tags from Viruses, bacteria and parasites can make your pets ill, and in some cases, even cause death. (Envato Elements pic)
PETALING JAYA: For pet parents, it’s heart-breaking watching a beloved pet fall ill. The worry can be overwhelming, particularly if the illness is life-threatening or even transmissible to humans.
This is why prevention is important.
Dr Lim May Lyn, 37, clinical director of Pet Wellness Veterinary Clinic in Penang, sheds light on the common diseases caused by viruses, bacteria and parasites in Malaysia.
She also explains how vaccinations, medications and simple habits can go a long way in keeping pets safe, healthy and happy.
In Malaysia, the common viral and bacterial diseases that pose a danger to pets are:
Dogs
- Canine distemper
- Canine parvovirus
- Canine adenovirus type 1 (hepatitis) and type 2 (respiratory)
- Leptospirosis
Cats
- Feline panleukopenia or feline distemper
- Feline calicivirus
- Feline herpesvirus type 1
- Feline leukaemia virus
- Feline immunodeficiency virus
Dogs and cats
- Rabies
- Bordetella bronchiseptica
Dr Lim May Lyn says ensuring your pet is vaccinated annually will keep them protected throughout the year. (Dr Lim May Lyn pic)
However, these diseases can be prevented through vaccination. Lim said rabies and leptospirosis are zoonotic diseases, meaning they can spread from animals to humans.
“Rabies is a highly contagious viral infection that affects the central nervous system. Up to 99% of human rabies cases are caused by dog bites.
“Once clinical symptoms appear, rabies is nearly 100% fatal – not only in animals, but humans as well,” said Lim, adding rabies is spread through the saliva of infected animals, typically via bites, scratches or contact with the eyes, mouth or open wounds.
Meanwhile, leptospirosis is a bacterial infection that can cause liver and kidney damage. It can spread to humans through the urine of infected animals.
According to Lim, the core vaccines for dogs in Malaysia include those that protect against canine parvovirus, canine distemper and canine adenovirus.
Vaccination for rabies, she added, is only mandatory for cats and dogs in Sarawak as well as dogs living within 50 km to 80 km from the Thailand border to create an immune belt.
However, she strongly encouraged all pet owners to vaccinate their pets against rabies given the high fatality rate of rabies in humans, and the fact that 99% of human rabies cases result from dog bites.
“For cats, the core vaccines include those that protect against feline panleukopenia (FPV), feline calicivirus (FCV) and feline herpesvirus type 1 (FHV-1).”
Lim shared that annual health checks are important to ensure your pet’s overall well-being. (Envato Elements pic)
Lim added that puppies and kittens should typically receive their initial core vaccinations between six to eight weeks of age. These should be followed by booster shots every two to four weeks until they are around 16 weeks old, and then annual booster shots thereafter.
However, she added, the exact vaccination schedule should be determined by the veterinarian, considering the prevalence of local diseases and the pet’s lifestyle.
Vaccines, she said, cannot cure an illness. “Therefore, regular compliance with annual vaccination is crucial to ensure pets are protected until their next vaccination.”
While some pet owners may feel vaccinations aren’t necessary, it’s important to know that diseases like canine distemper and canine adenovirus type 1 can be fatal, making vaccines vital to safeguard your beloved pets.
Apart from bacteria and viruses, parasites can also cause various health issues in pets, and in some cases, humans too.
“Parasites can transfer from pets to humans through physical touch or contact with pet faeces as well as infected water or soil.”
Healthy pets, happy humans: it’s time to protect your pets from viruses, bacteria and parasites. (Envato Elements pic)
In Malaysia, common parasitic diseases that can affect dogs and cats include roundworm, hookworm, tapeworm and flea infestations as well as heartworm disease, among others.
“The most effective preventive measure against parasites is to keep pets on a monthly preventive medication regimen that includes an anthelminti, a dewormer.
“Medications such as NexGard® COMBO for cats and NexGard Spectra® for dogs are not only dewormers, they combine multiple ingredients to protect against internal and external parasites, offering comprehensive and convenient protection,” said Lim.
She also advises pet owners to be diligent about cleaning their pet’s stool as it can reduce the risk of parasite transmission.
Wash their bedding regularly in hot water as it can help eliminate fleas, eggs and larvae. Also, frequent vacuuming, especially in areas where their pets spend the most time, can reduce the risk of infestation.
“Yearly health checks which include wellness exams and screening tests are a vital part of maintaining your pet’s overall well-being. Even if your pet appears healthy, many diseases show no obvious signs in the early stages.
“Cats tend to hide clinical symptoms until the condition becomes advanced. These checks allow for early detection of diseases, enabling timely treatment and potentially extending your pet’s healthy years.”
and integrate them seamlessly into the new content without adding new tags. Include conclusion section and FAQs section at the end. do not include the title. it must return only article i dont want any extra information or introductory text with article e.g: ” Here is rewritten article:” or “Here is the rewritten content:”