University > General Health Topics > Infectious Diseases
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Infectious Diseases

Infectious diseases in dogs are caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites and can spread through direct contact, contaminated surfaces, insect vectors, or bodily fluids. Some infections, like kennel cough, cause mild symptoms, while others, such as rabies and parvovirus, can be fatal. Preventive strategies like thoughtful vaccination, parasite control, and good hygiene are essential for reducing infection risk and protecting overall health.
Last Reviewed Date: 01/02/2026

Overview

Health Conditions

Info Health conditions related to Infectious Diseases
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Therapeutic Interventions

Info Therapeutic Interventions of Infectious Diseases

Lifestyle Strategies

Info Lifestyle Strategies of Infectious Diseases

Foods

Info Food sources of Infectious Diseases

Food Components

Info Ingredient sources of Infectious Diseases

Food Component Groups

Info Ingredient sources group of Infectious Diseases
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Nutrients

Info Nutrients Found in Infectious Diseases
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Nutrient Types

Info Nutrient Types of Infectious Diseases
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Nutrient Sub-Types

Info Nutrient Sub-Types of Infectious Diseases

Follow the Research

Info Studies providing deeper insight into Infectious Diseases
Title Information
Vitamin C in Health and Disease: A Companion Animal Focus

At a Glance

This 2020 review article, published in Topics in Companion Animal Medicine, examined vitamin C in the health and disease of dogs and cats. The authors summarize evidence that while dogs and cats can produce their own vitamin C, levels fall during illness, raising interest in supplementation as a low-cost, low-risk therapy to support critically ill patients.

Connecting the Dots
  • Across species, vitamin C depletion is consistently observed in severe infections, especially sepsis, which is also common in veterinary emergency medicine.
  • The review highlights promising human data where intravenous vitamin C reduced mortality in septic patients, making this an intriguing, though unproven, avenue for dogs with severe infections.
  • Dig Deeper

    Info Q/A's related to Infectious Diseases
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    Blog Articles

    Info Articles related to Infectious Diseases
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