INFECTIOUS-DISEASES OF CANIDAE AND FELIDA E KEPT IN ZOOS

The Canidae (36 species) and Felidae (34-37 species) are two families of carnivores represented by numerous exotic species in toes or wildli fe reserves. To some extent, the diseases of these species are similar to those of dogs and cats, and are therefore relatively well known. H owever; there are differences in sensitivity to infectious agents, tre atments and vaccines. Canidae and Felidae may also act as carriers or even vectors of zoonoses, such as leptospirosis, rabies, salmonellosis , toxoplasmosis and tuberculosis. Due to their behaviour patterns and morphological adaptations, these species are capable of transmitting v arious opportunistic infections by biting or scratching. These charact eristics mean that Canidae and Felidae are difficult to keep in captiv ity, and require special health precautions, particularly protection f rom contact with stray carnivores.