Infectious diseases
In Finland, there are relatively few infectious diseases, including zoonoses (those transmissible from pets to humans), especially compared to Eastern and Southern Europe. Finland's northern geographical location, the low number of stray dogs, high vaccination coverage among pets, and the use of tick prevention for outdoor pets during the summer help keep the prevalence of infectious diseases moderate. However, even when traveling to neighboring countries like Estonia or Sweden, pets are more likely to be exposed to pathogens that one might not consider while living in Finland. The further east or south you travel, the higher the prevalence of infectious diseases. For this reason, it is essential to prepare thoroughly with comprehensive preventive treatments and vaccinations when planning a trip to minimize the risk of infections. This page introduces the most common infectious diseases affecting cats and dogs in Finland and other parts of Europe. It also provides examples of preventive treatments that can be obtained from your veterinarian before your trip.
About infectious diseases
Infectious diseases, as the name suggests, infect and spread between animals (and humans). They can be transmitted between pets through direct contact, bodily fluids, mucosal contact or via disease-transmitting vectors. Vector-borne infections refer to viral, bacterial or parasitic infections transmitted through the bite of an arthropod vector, such as an insect or tick. The prevalence of vector-borne diseases is influenced by climatic factors depending on geographical location.
​
In Finland, there are vectors suitable for spreading various pathogens (e.g., ticks and mosquitoes), but for now, Finland's average temperature, humidity, and other climatic conditions do not allow the complete life cycle of many vectors or the spread of the pathogens they carry. However, with global warming, this situation may change, making it crucial to keep the number of pathogens in Finland as low as possible by protecting traveling (and other imported) dogs against these pathogens.
​
Protection is also extremely important from the perspective of individual health, as many infectious diseases are only detected long after exposure, the symptoms can be very severe, there may not be specific treatments, and some diseases can become chronic, persisting after the acute phase. Additionally, some diseases can be transmitted to humans.
Infectious diseases in Finland
Endoparasites and Vector-Borne Diseases
In Finland, the most common vector-borne diseases transmitted by ticks in dogs are anaplasmosis and borreliosis. These diseases are transmitted to cats and dogs through a tick bite (primarily Ixodes ricinus and I. persulcatus), and the best way to protect pets from these diseases is preventive use of tick-repelling or tick-killing products throughout the tick season, i.e., when the average temperature stays just above a few degrees.
​
Dogs
​
Other infectious diseases commonly seen in dogs in Finland are not transmitted via vectors but spread depending on the pathogen, either through direct contact between dogs or indirectly via urine or feces, bites during fights, or directly from the mother to offspring. Among these, kennel cough (e.g., Parainfluenza virus, Bordetella bronchiseptica bacteria) is relatively common and dogs are vaccinated against it regularly. Vaccination does not prevent infection but alleviates its symptoms. According to the general vaccination program, dogs are also vaccinated against distemper, infectious hepatitis, and parvovirus. Distemper and infectious hepatitis are rare in Finland due to good vaccination coverage, but parvovirus diarrhea is relatively common. Dogs are also regularly vaccinated against rabies, and thanks to high vaccination coverage and other measures, rabies does not occur in Finland.
Dogs can also suffer from various diarrhea-causing pathogens that spread from dog to dog, such as giardiasis, cryptosporidiosis, and salmonellosis. There are no vaccines for these, and their spread is controlled by isolating infected individuals and maintaining good hygiene. Several internal parasites (e.g., Toxocara canis roundworm, Uncinaria stenocephala hookworm, and the rarer Trichuris vulpis whipworm) are also found in Finland, causing various gastrointestinal symptoms. However, regular fecal examinations and deworming treatments keep the occurrence of internal parasites moderate in Finland.
​
Cats
​
In cats, most infectious diseases found in Finland spread without a vector, through direct or indirect contact between cats. Cats in Finland are vaccinated against feline panleukopenia (feline parvovirus) and feline flu (herpes- and calicivirus +/- chlamydophila bacteria). Feline panleukopenia is relatively common in Finland, especially among poorly vaccinated cats. Feline flu is fairly common, with varying pathogens causing it. Rabies also affects cats, so outdoor cats and those planning to travel should be vaccinated against it, although rabies does not occur in Finland.
FIP (Feline Infectious Peritonitis), a contagious peritonitis in cats, is also relatively common, and there is no vaccine against it. FIP develops in some cats with a mutated form of feline coronavirus, particularly in individuals with weaker immune systems. Coronavirus itself may cause vomiting and diarrhea or remain asymptomatic.
Similar to dogs, diarrhea-causing pathogens such as Salmonella, Giardia, and Cryptosporidium can also infect cats, though they are less common in Finland compared to many other countries. Diarrhea may also be caused by Tritrichomonas and Toxoplasma gondii.
Ectoparasites of cats and dogs
Coming soon.