Canine brucellosis is a serious disease found in dogs that
is spread by a bacterium, Brucella canis. Infected dogs can also spread
the disease to people. The disease is often spread between dogs through breeding
and by contact with birthing fluids, and urine. However, infected dog’s blood,
milk, saliva, and feces are also sources of infection. Any dog, regardless of its sex, whether it is neutered or
sexually intact, and whether it is used for breeding or not, could become
infected. There is no vaccine or treatment for canine brucellosis and even dogs
that have been spayed or neutered and treated with antibiotics cannot be
considered cured. Regardless of the extent of the disease, infected dogs are
capable of shedding the organism for years and are a continuous source of
infection.
Brucellosis is difficult to diagnose in humans because of
non-specific symptoms and doctors’ unfamiliarity with the disease, combined
with the lack of good tests available for diagnosing the disease in people.
Children and immunosuppressed people are also believed to be at a higher risk
for acquiring the disease.
More about canine brucellosis.
| Heartworm disease is a serious and potentially fatal disease
of dogs (and other pets) spread by mosquitoes. It is caused by foot-long
worms (heartworms) that live in the heart, lungs and associated blood vessels
of affected pets, causing severe lung disease, heart failure, organ damage, and
even death. Heartworm disease causes lasting damage to the heart, lungs and
arteries, and can affect the dog’s health and quality of life long after the
parasites are gone. According to the American Heartworm Society (AHS), heartworm
disease has become more widespread in the U.S. over the past several decades,
due in part to the increased movement of heartworm-positive dogs to regions
where heartworm disease was once uncommon. The
AHS recommends annual testing of all dogs greater than 6 months of age, and
administration of heartworm preventatives 12 months a year.
More about
importing heartworm-positive dogs.
| Millions of people - most of them children - are bitten by dogs every year in the U.S. The majority of these bites, if not all, are preventable. Take a look at
Dog Bites by the Numbers (American Veterinary Medical Association).
Teach your children to prevent dog bites with our
No Bites! coloring book.
If your dog or cat bit someone, would you know what to do or what to expect? You will once you read our
Rabies Bites! brochure.
More about
rabies quarantine requirements.
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