Isolation Protocols: A Necessary Safeguard for Common Infectious Diseases in Cats and Dogs

Keeping our pets healthy is one of the most important responsibilities we have as pet owners. While routine veterinary care, vaccinations, and good hygiene go a long way, infectious diseases can still occur—some of which require isolation to prevent spreading to other animals. 

Understanding the signs, risks, and reasons behind isolation can help you protect both your pet and the wider pet community. Veterinarians should implement rigorous isolation protocols to protect against the spread of infectious disease. This is not only the best practice for the sick pet, but also to prevent pets from acquiring infections that visit the hospital for other reasons.

Here are some of the most common contagious illnesses in cats and dogs that typically require separation from other animals.

1. Kennel Cough (Dogs)

Kennel cough, or canine infectious respiratory disease complex (CIRDC), is one of the most well-known contagious illnesses in dogs. It’s often caused by a combination of viruses and bacteria, including Bordetella bronchiseptica.

Symptoms include a harsh, honking cough, runny nose, sneezing, and sometimes a mild fever. Sometimes it appears like a dog has something stuck in their throat when actually it is just the irritation from the infection. 

Because kennel cough spreads easily through airborne droplets, isolation from shared environments like kennels, grooming salons, and dog parks is essential. Affected dogs are usually kept away from other pets for about two weeks or until cleared by a veterinarian. Fortunately, most cases are mild and resolve with rest, cough suppressants, and supportive care. More severe cases can progress to pneumonia.

2. Canine Parvovirus (Dogs)

Parvo is a highly contagious and potentially life-threatening disease that targets the gastrointestinal tract, bone marrow and even the heart cells. Puppies are especially at risk.

Symptoms include vomiting, severe diarrhea (often bloody), dehydration, and lethargy.

This virus spreads through contaminated feces and surfaces, and it is extremely hardy—it can live in the environment for 6 months. Infected dogs must be immediately isolated, usually in a veterinary hospital, to receive aggressive supportive care and to prevent transmission. Vaccination is the best defense against this dangerous infection.

3. Feline Upper Respiratory Infections (Cats)

Cats are prone to upper respiratory infections (URIs) caused by viruses such as feline herpesvirus (FHV-1) and calicivirus.

Common symptoms include sneezing, eye discharge, nasal congestion, coughing, and fever.

Because these viruses spread easily through close contact, shared food bowls, and even human hands, infected cats should be quarantined—especially in multi-cat households. Most cases resolve with supportive care, hydration, and in some cases, antibiotics. Stress reduction is also key to recovery, particularly with herpesvirus.

4. Feline Panleukopenia (Cats)

Feline panleukopenia is a serious and highly contagious viral disease.

Symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, fever, loss of appetite, and profound lethargy.

Like parvovirus in dogs, this disease spreads through contaminated surfaces and bodily fluids and can survive for long periods in the environment. Infected cats must be isolated immediately and given intensive veterinary care. Vaccination offers excellent protection and is considered a core vaccine for cats.

5. Ringworm (Cats & Dogs)

Despite the name, ringworm is not a worm—it’s a fungal infection affecting the skin, hair, and nails. This infection can spread readily between cats, dogs, and humans.

Signs include circular patches of hair loss, scaly skin, and red lesions.

Ringworm spreads through direct contact as well as contaminated bedding, furniture, grooming tools, and even clothing. Because of its persistence and ease of spread, pets with ringworm should be isolated until treatment progresses and the risk of transmission decreases. Treatment usually involves medicated baths, topical ointments, and antifungal medications.

Humans are also at risk of contracting ringworm from their infected pets. Treatment by a human medical professional is necessary in case of suspected infection.

Why Isolation Matters

Isolation isn’t just about preventing spread—it also protects vulnerable animals such as puppies, kittens, seniors, and pets with weakened immune systems. Following your veterinarian’s guidance on quarantine duration, cleaning protocols, and re-introducing your pet to the household is crucial.

At Animal Urgent Care, we follow rigorous isolation protocols to protect our patients from the spread of infectious disease. These include wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) when handling infectious patients, minimizing exposure within our facility, and maintaining separate isolation rooms that are sanitized multiple times after every patient.

If your pet is showing potential signs of a contagious infection, our care team will provide tailored instructions for triage, dropoff, and follow up care to make sure the health of your pet and others is protected.

By recognizing symptoms early and understanding the importance of separation, you can play a vital role in keeping all animals—yours and others—safe and healthy.

Have questions or concerns about your pet’s health? 

Schedule an appointment with your primary care veterinarian or visit our Burbank or Koreatown location if your pet has urgent symptoms. 

Call us at (818) 296-0700 in Burbank or (323) 302-5200 in Koreatown to speak with a member of our care team. Top quality care for your furry loved one is our priority!