Veterinarians recognize chronic infections with immortal pathogens and parasites cause chronic disease in animals. Our pets and animals have many of the same chronic diseases as humans, including heart disease, lung disease, asthma, allergies, cancer (including lymphoma), epilepsy, endocrine disease, Addison’s disease (adrenal disease), diabetes, arthritis, gastrointestinal disease, liver disease, obesity, reproductive diseases, kidney disease, urinary tract disease, lupus, multiple sclerosis, conjunctivitis, cataracts, blood disorders, immune diseases, HIV (feline immunodeficiency virus), tuberculosis, Lyme disease, influenza, acne, and more.

Cats and dogs have a microbiome which is 50% similar, but neither have a microbiome similar to humans. Yet, animals and humans develop the same chronic diseases. Research into immortal pathogens and parasites transmitted from animals to humans, to identify potential root causes of chronic disease, is warranted.

Summers A. 2014. COMMON DISEASES IN COMPANION ANIMALS, 3rd Ed. China: Mosby