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Stray Dog Medical Information

There are a few common diseases found in almost all strays here in Panama.  Here is a bit of information on TVT, and Ehrlichia:

TRANSMITTABLE VENEREAL TUMOR (TVT)

Are there any risks to my family or other pets?

Transmissible venereal tumor is transmitted from dog to dog. Preventing physical contact between your infected dog and others is essential. You should also wash your hands after handling your dog and disinfect anything that may be contaminated with living cells from your dog that could come into contact with other dogs. The tumor cannot be transmitted from dogs to other animal species or to people

What is a transmissible venereal tumor?

This is a common tumor, only found in dogs. It has a patchy worldwide distribution including parts of the Caribbean, USA, Southern Europe, Asia and Africa. It is transmitted by direct physical contact. It occurs in both sexes and may appear as multiple subcutaneous nodules on the genitalia, lips and other parts of the body.

What do we know about the cause?

Transmissible venereal tumor is a transplant of cancer cells. The cancer cells always have an abnormal number of chromosomes (59 instead of the normal canine 78). The original cell type is probably a histiocyte (part of the body's own immune system) but other types of white blood cells have also been suggested as the origin.

Can my dog develop this cancer?

The cancer is transmitted by sexual contact or direct contact with the infected tumor (e.g. by licking). Therefore, an infected dog could transmit this tumor to your dog through direct contact.

How will this cancer affect my dog?

The tumors are nodules, sometimes multilobulated, often found on the penis or vulva. Most ulcerate and bleed. The tumors may spread through the body, and the dog may develop many tumors in the skin.

The tumors grow rapidly at first and then remain static for a time. Eventually, they spontaneously regress due to antibody production by the immune system.

What types of treatment are available?

The most common treatment is surgical removal of the lump. Other treatments include chemotherapy and radiation. These are not suitable for all types of cancer and often have significant side effects. Some are only available at specialist centers.

Can this cancer disappear without treatment?

Yes. This cancer grows rapidly at first and then remains static before the dog's immune system produces specific antibodies that cause the tumor to spontaneously regress. Once the tumor regresses, that dog is then highly resistant to further tumor implantation.

Are there any risks to my family or other pets?

Transmissible venereal tumor is transmitted from dog to dog. Preventing physical contact between your infected dog and others is essential. You should also wash your hands after handling your dog and disinfect anything that may be contaminated with living cells from your dog that could come into contact with other dogs. The tumor cannot be transmitted from dogs to other animal species or to people.

Ehrlichiosis Signs, Diagnosis and Treatment in Dogs: 

Ehrlichia is a type of bacteria that infect dogs and other species worldwide, causing a disease called Ehrlichiosis, which has also been called "tropical canine pancytopenia" (and several other names). Ehrlichia is commonly transmitted by ticks.

Cause

Ehrlichia bacteria infect white blood cells. There are many species of Ehrlichia, which infect a wide variety of animals, but there are only a few species that affect dogs.

A closely related infection affecting platelets is caused by a bacteria called Anaplasma platys and is sometimes referred to as Ehrlichiosis as well (Anaplasma platys used to be called Ehrlichia platys until recently). Most Ehrlichia infections are acquired through tick bites. Infection is also possible via blood transfusions.

Risk Factors

Ehrlichiosis occurs worldwide in areas where the ticks that carry the disease are common. While any dog can be infected, some breeds, most notably German shepherds, are prone to more serious chronic infections. Retired racing greyhounds from areas where Ehrlichiosis is common may suffer from chronic, undetected infections and should be checked for Ehrlichiosis and other tick-borne diseases when adopted.

Signs and Symptoms of Ehrlichiosis

The symptoms and severity of illness seen with Ehrlichiosis depend on the species of Ehrlichia involved and the immune response of the dog.

Generally, Erlichia canis appears to produce the most severe illness, and infections tend to progress through various stages.

The acute phase occurs within the first few weeks of being infected and is rarely fatal. Recovery can occur, or the dog can enter a "subclinical phase," which can last for years, where there are no symptoms.

Some dogs eventually progress to the chronic phase, where very severe illness can develop. However, in practice, it is difficult to distinguish these phases.

Signs and symptoms of ehrlichiosis may include:

• Fever.

• Lethargy.

• Loss of appetite.

• Weight loss.

• Abnormal bleeding (e.g., nosebleeds, bleeding under the skin -- looks like little spots or patches of bruising).

• Enlarged lymph nodes.

• Enlarged spleen.

• Pain and stiffness (due to arthritis and muscle pain).

• Coughing.

• Discharge from the eyes and/or nose.

• Vomiting and diarrhea.

• Inflammation of the eye.

• Neurological symptoms (e.g., incoordination, depression, paralysis, etc.).

Signs of other organ involvement can appear in the chronic form, especially kidney disease.

Note: Anaplasma platys causes recurrent low platelet counts but tends to produce only mild symptoms, if any.

Diagnosis of Ehrlichiosis

It can be difficult to confirm a diagnosis of Ehrlichiosis. Blood tests typically show a decreased number of platelets ("thrombocytopenia") and sometimes decreased numbers of red blood cells (anemia) and/or white blood cells.

Changes in the protein levels in the blood may also occur. Blood smears can be examined for the presence of the Ehrlichia organisms. If they are present, the diagnosis can be confirmed, but they may not always show up on a smear.

Blood can also be tested for antibodies to Ehrlichia — though this can sometimes produce incorrect results.

Specialized testing can check for genetic material from Ehrlichia, and while this is the most sensitive test, it is not widely available and has some limitations as well. Generally, a combination of lab tests along with clinical signs and history are used to make a diagnosis.

The diagnosis is further complicated by the fact that dogs infected with Ehrlichia may also be infected with other diseases carried by ticks, such as Babesia, Lyme disease, or Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever. Infection with a bacteria called Bartonella has also been found in conjunction with Ehrlichiosis and other tick-borne diseases. The presence of these other diseases can make symptoms more severe, and the diagnosis can be more complicated.

Treatment of Ehrlichiosis

Ehrlichiosis responds well to treatment with the antibiotic Doxycycline. Improvement in symptoms is usually very quick, but several weeks of treatment is usually needed to ensure a full recovery. In severe cases where blood cell counts are very low, blood transfusions may be needed. Reinfection is possible, as immunity to Ehrlichia bacteria is not long lasting.

Prevention of Ehrlichiosis

Preventing exposure to the ticks that carry Ehrlichia is the best means of preventing ehrlichiosis. Check your dog daily for ticks and remove them as soon as possible (it is believed that ticks must feed for at least 24-48 hours to spread Ehrlichia). This is especially important in peak tick season, or if your dog spends time in the woods or tall grass (consider avoiding these areas in tick season).

Products that prevent ticks, such as monthly parasite preventatives (e.g., Frontline®, Revolution®) or tick collars (e.g., Preventic®), can be used; be sure to follow your veterinarian's advice when using these products. Keep grass and brush trimmed in your yard, and in areas where ticks are a serious problem, you may also consider treating the yard and kennel area for ticks.