The dogs and like us, often get infections, diseases and suffer from different health conditions. Therefore, it is extremely important be aware that they always have all their vaccinations, eat properly and constantly check that they have proper hygiene.
However, many people have wondered if dogs can get venereal diseases, sexually transmitted or STDs. Unfortunately, dogs, like us, can also contract these types of diseases.
Sexually transmitted diseases in dogs
This type of disease in dogs It can be contracted in 3 ways: By cancer, by virus or by bacteria. Nowadays, the rate of dogs that contract this type of disease is increasing and it is occurring mainly in stray dogs.
STDs in dogs can also be contracted by relationships with other dogs infected or during labor if the dog's mother is infected.
The top three sexually transmitted diseases that affect dogs are:
- Canine herpes virus
- Brucellosis
- Canine transmissible venereal tumor
En spayed or neutered dogs it is very rare that these diseases affect, since most of the cases occurs in stray dogs.
Brucellosis in dogs
This disease is considered the most common in the animal kingdom, although the least frequent in canines. This sickness originates from a bacterium called Brucella canis And although the disease is controllable, it is impossible to cure it so far, so it is important to always check our dogs, although it is more frequent in street dogs.
How is this disease transmitted? Mainly through sex with infected dogs or contact with fluids from infected dogs. This disease can also be transmitted from contact with dead infected dogs that they were newborns, since the tissue of the placenta that surrounds them at birth is loaded with the bacteria.
In females it is more difficult to diagnose than in males, since males their testicles can become inflamedWhile females may have failed pregnancies or unhealthy.
This disease is the only one that can be transmitted from dog to human and the risk lies in being in frequent contact with many infected tissues and fluids, especially if one is in constant contact with infected pregnant dogs before and after giving birth.
Canine herpes virus
This is one of the most widespread diseases in the canine world and it is considered to be a variation of herpes, there are even alarming figures that indicate that up to 70% of dogs can have the disease, although in the majority it remains latent and does not develop.
Like the previous disease, it is caused mainly in stray dogs. In the same way, it can be caused in dogs when they have just been born and the disease can manifest up to 4 weeks after birth, but unfortunately these puppies do not manage to survive.
The symptoms of this disease do not usually appear, although some dogs may have ulcers on the genitalsWhile puppies may be weak, have a poor appetite, and have facial discoloration.
Canine transmissible venereal tumors
Unlike the two STDs we've talked about so far, CTVT or canine transmissible venereal tumors They are not caused by bacteria or viruses, as this disease is an infectious form of cancer.
They can be spread from one dog to another through saliva, direct contact with body fluids in open wounds or during intercourse if the disease remains internal. Only after the cancer has advanced internally does it begin to appear on the outside of an infected dog's body.
If it is not diagnosed and it is not treated in time, tumors will continue to grow inside as they will begin to manifest outward as well. As tumors grow, this disease can appear on the male and female genitalia or face of a dog before appearing in other parts of the body.
leptospirosis
Finally, we have the disease of leptopirosis. Actually, many experts do not include it within the sexually transmitted diseases in dogs, but one of the ways of contact can be sexual, hence we wanted to introduce it.
Leptopirosis it is usually produced by the contagion of infected urine, as well as in contaminated environments or by contact between a rat and a dog. The problem is that it can also be transmitted orally and nasally, apart from sex or with the skin. In fact, it is also a disease that can be transmitted to humans. This occurs due to the Leptospira bacteria, an infection that attacks wild and domestic animals.
What symptoms do you have? We are talking about weakness, vomiting, loss of appetite, anorexia, diarrhea, depression, hypothermia ... If the disease is not caught in time, it can cause the death of the animal.
What to do if my dog has a sexually transmitted disease
Now that you know the four main sexually transmitted diseases in dogs (and two that can be transmitted to humans), it is time to think about what you should do if you suspect that your dog has one of those diseases. And the first step will be to go to your vet.
The appointment with the vet
As we say, the first thing when you notice that your dog is not well should be to make an appointment with your veterinarian. In this way, the professional will assess your case in addition to asking you some questions, such as what you have noticed to attend your consultation.
After checking your status, you will likely have a blood test, which can be fast (and see the results in the same clinic), or take about 24 hours to have the results. Either way, they will assess the case to act immediately to eliminate your pet's ailment.
Tests for sexually transmitted diseases
In addition to the blood test, you can also perform other types of tests that help determine what the problem is that your dog has. It can be, for example, doing a stool analysis, an ultrasound, biopsies… Everything will depend on the professional since they will be the most indicated person to determine the tests you need to give a diagnosis.
Treatment of sexually transmitted diseases
The treatment of sexually transmitted diseases in dogs will depend on the type of disease you have. Each one has a treatment, and for information, this is what your vet might recommend:
Canine brucellosis treatment
Although the treatment indicated for this disease is not 100% effective, it does relieve the dog and eliminate the problems it has. At the moment, antibiotics are used in combination with other medications, since experience confirms that they work better if they are mixed. We speak, for example, of streptomycin, tetracyclines or sulfa.
Canine herpervirus treatment
Regarding your treatment, many vets choose Antivirals, but their effectiveness is not that good, and many times they don't work. It will also depend on the state of progress of the disease since, if it is caught in time, the drugs can be more effective. For example, the use of vidarabine is common for females who are pregnant and is used in the first symptoms of the disease.
Transmissible venereal tumor treatment
In this case, what veterinarians choose the most is to suggest the use of chemotherapy. Now, it all depends on each dog and the severity, since radiotherapy, immunotherapy or biotherapy can also be used. In case the tumor is small, it can even be removed with surgery.
Treatment of leptopirosis
Treatment of leptopirosis as a sexually transmitted disease in dogs is based on the use of penicillin together with streptomycin (bactericide). Sometimes it is common for the dog to also have a treatment with electrolytes and symptomatic medications to completely solve the problem. In addition, sometimes you must maintain a treatment for a long time to avoid relapses.
How to prevent sexually transmitted diseases in dogs
We do not want to forget that the best way not to face an uncomfortable situation such as your dog having a sexually transmitted disease is prevention. And to help you know how to do it, here are some tips.
Avoid contact with other animals
We do not mean that you lock up your dog and that it does not relate to other animals, but we do mean you should observe if the dogs he plays with have problems. In many cases, the symptoms of each of the sexually transmitted diseases are visible to the naked eye, and if you notice that a dog is sick, either because it has something physical, or because of its strange behavior, it is better to consult with its owner and If it is not there, put your pet aside so that it does not have contact.
Beware of stray dogs
The abandoned, stray dogs, for the life they lead, are more likely to catch diseases that can be transmitted to your pet. By this we do not mean that if you see a stray dog, kick it or move away from it, but we do mean to exercise caution.
Above all, it is convenient that your dog is not going to have sexual contact with a dog that you do not know if it is healthy or if it has any disease. In this way, you will avoid problems. If what you want is to have puppies and you only have one dog and you are looking for its partner, first of all, you should ask that both dogs be checked to certify that they do not have sexually transmitted diseases (or otherwise) that put the health of parents or puppies at risk.
Veterinary checks
Although it can be difficult for many to go to the vet at least once a year to check the condition of your pet, the best prevention begins that way since is the way you are going to avoid major problems therein.
Do you notice something strange? To veterinary!
If you notice something strange in your dog, especially if it has to do with the genitals, it is time to make an appointment with the professional. The sooner it is treated, the less danger to your health there will be, and it is something that you must take into account.
Up-to-date vaccinations and deworming
Finally, make sure the dog vaccinations, as well as its internal and external deworming, are up to date. This it will always help them much better to fight disease.