Dirty, dirty dog! Dogs can indeed get sexually transmitted diseases: either transmissible venereal tumor (TVT) or brucellosis. TVT is a type of cancer that is spread by licking, sniffing, or sexual contact between dogs. Sound familiar? I hope not! TVT is mostly commonly seen in the southern states where climates are more temperate and where there is a larger free-roaming dog population (they don’t call it the dirty south for nothing!). TVT can result in cancerous masses forming on the penis tip, prepuce, vulva, vagina, or mouth. While it is technically a type of cancer, it is sexually transmitted and can be treated with success. TVT responds well to chemotherapy with over a 90% cure rate. And don’t worry – TVT can’t spread to you.
Another type of STD is brucellosis. This is caused by a bacteria called Brucella canis and is often spread by breeding/sexual contact, fetal membranes/placenta exposure, or passing through the birth canal. B. canis can also be spread in blood and urine, although this is usually less common. Aborted tissues have large numbers of B. canis, so gloves should always be donned if your bitch is having a litter. Symptoms of brucellosis include swollen testicles, a painful scrotum, increased lymph nodes, or abortion in females. Treatment for brucellosis includes long-term antibiotics such as high-dose doxycycline. Unfortunately, this one can spread to humans, and is most common following human contact with an aborting bitch.
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Copyright © 2008 Justine Lee Veterinary Consulting, LLC.
9 comments:
Hello,
What does "the dirty South" mean? Sorry. I'm from Tennessee. I've never heard that phrase before in my life. Could you answer questions without offending people?
And, no, I'm not some ignorant, backwoods hick. I'm a columnist for a weekly dog magazine and I have a couple of books in print.
We call it the dirty South among the medical world because there are a lot more infectious diseases down south - bacterial, fungal, protozoal, etc. Since there's no frost or winter, environmental reasons probably result in "bad things" surviving down there!
No harm intended!
Is there a test that your vet can do for brucellosis? If there is how much does the test usually cost?
Absolutely - it's a blood test that is commonly done for intact animals that are breeding. Your vet cannot do it in-house - it is submitted through their hospital to a special lab. I don't know the cost off the top of my head, as they vary by each lab, but I'd estimate for $1-200.
Is there also a test for TVT? Or is it usually detected by a mass? Are there other warning signs?
It's usually based on the presence of a mass in the reproductive areas. The main test is a biopsy of the abnormal tissue.
Eshever, I'm from Georgia and I have heard the term "dirty south". You must be a little dirty yourself if that offended you. Or was that just a way to stroke your ego a little bit by anouncing that you have a few books in print?
Will a female with ovarian cysts give STD's to a stud?
No, they should not, but it depends on the "diagnosis" of ovarian cysts was accurately diagnosed. It's not common, hence, why I'm asking.
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