Final answer:
Most infectious conditions in animals are not exclusively caused by bacteria, but also by viruses, fungi, and protozoa. Zoonotic diseases can be bacterial but also involve other infectious agents, making the statement false.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that most of the infectious conditions that affect our companion animals are caused by bacteria is False. While bacteria are responsible for a variety of illnesses in humans and animals, such as strep throat, tuberculosis, and pneumonia, infectious diseases can also be caused by other agents like viruses, fungi, and protozoa. Many severe ailments, particularly in animals, are caused by viruses which are much smaller than bacteria and can only multiply within living cells. Additionally, zoonotic febrile diseases, which may spread from animals to humans, are often due to bacteria that require vectors like ticks for transmission. Even though bacteria are a serious concern, the development of antibiotic resistance in bacteria complicates the treatment of diseases and preventive strategies.