Unit 726: Animal Diseases and Health Management

1. Introduction to Animal Diseases

• Overview of animal diseases
• Classification: infectious vs non-infectious
• Causes: pathogens, genetics, environment, nutrition
• Impact on animal health, welfare, and productivity

2. Common Infectious Diseases in Animals

• Viral diseases
  • Parvovirus in dogs: symptoms, transmission, treatment
  • Feline leukemia in cats: characteristics, diagnosis
  • Avian influenza in birds: types, outbreaks, control
• Bacterial and fungal infections (brief overview)

3. Zoonotic Diseases: Transmission and Prevention

• Definition and significance of zoonoses
• Examples: rabies, leptospirosis, salmonellosis
• Transmission routes: direct contact, vectors, foodborne
• Prevention strategies: hygiene, vaccination, biosecurity

4. Parasitic Diseases in Livestock

• Types of parasites
  • Internal parasites: worms (nematodes, cestodes)
  • External parasites: ticks, mites, lice
• Effects on livestock health and productivity
• Diagnosis and treatment methods
• Prevention and control strategies: pasture management, anthelmintics

5. Viral Diseases in Wildlife

• Impact on wildlife populations and ecosystems
• Examples:
  • Rabies in wild mammals
  • Distemper in carnivores
• Disease monitoring and management
• Conservation implications and challenges

6. Non-infectious Diseases in Pets

• Common non-infectious diseases
  • Diabetes mellitus
  • Cancer
  • Arthritis
• Risk factors and diagnosis
• Management and treatment options

7. Antibiotic Resistance in Animal Health

• Definition and causes of antibiotic resistance
• Impact on animal and human health
• Responsible use of antibiotics in veterinary medicine
• Strategies to combat resistance

8. Vaccination Protocols for Farm Animals

• Importance of vaccination in herd/flock health
• Recommended vaccination schedules for:
  • Cattle
  • Pigs
  • Poultry
• Vaccine types and administration methods
• Monitoring vaccine efficacy

9. Emerging Diseases in Wildlife Populations

• Overview of emerging infectious diseases
• Examples:
  • White-nose syndrome in bats
  • Chytrid fungus in amphibians
• Causes and spread
• Research and conservation efforts

10. One Health Approach to Animal Disease Management

• Concept and principles of One Health
• Interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health
• Collaborative disease prevention and control strategies
• Case studies demonstrating One Health successes