Just a thought - additional tests

[Dauxside]

It's been years since I did rescue - and I haven't seen this test mentioned.

Before I brought a new dog into the mix I always did a brucellosis test in addition to the other (heartworm, worms, etc.) It's a deadly disease and not one to be taken lightly.

For me, if the dog did not pass I could not take him/her - because I had my own to consider...I didn't even trust to keep them in the quarantine area with the disease.

Maybe that's wrong - but as a rule we had quite a housefull already & I felt my first allegence were to those I already had (plus my own personal dogs.)

[borzoimom]

Daux- I understand. In our area HW is a problem. And knowing even thought my dogs would be protected - the area dogs might not be. I think I would seriously debate this as well. If a misquito bites an infected animal, then another- they have given HW..
The other test you mentioned is common practice to test a female prior to breeding as it can make the male sterial and usually done right before breeding with the test results to give to the " stud" of the breeding..

[Dauxside]

Yes, but brucellosis is a disease that rescue people need to consider - because it can be transmitted to every dog in the house.

Most people do the standards - HW, general worm, skin scrape, etc...most don't do the brucellosis.

Just a heads up for consideration from my point of view - not for breeding, for protection if there are other dogs in the house & to let potential homes know that this dog can *not* be around other dogs.

[Dauxside]

For those that may not know:

Brucellosis is an infectious disease primarily passed among animals, and they cause disease in many different vertebrates. Various Brucella species affect sheep, goats, cattle, deer, elk, pigs, dogs, and several other animals.

Commonly refered in dogs as doggy VD.

B. canis is the species of Brucella species that can infect dogs. This species has occasionally been transmitted to humans, but the vast majority of dog infections do not result in human illness. Although veterinarians exposed to blood of infected animals are at risk, pet owners are not considered to be at risk for infection. This is partly because it is unlikely that they will come in contact with blood, semen, or placenta of the dog. The bacteria may be cleared from the animal within a few days of treatment; however re-infection is common and some animal body fluids may be infectious for weeks. Immunocompromised persons (cancer patients, HIV-infected individuals, or transplantation patients) should not handle dogs known to be infected with B. canis.

The disease is not common in the United States (except in NW cattle due to cross contamination from range grazed animals & buffalo)

At the time I was doing rescue there was no cure, now there is treatment - however, as suggested, please do be careful and please do test.

http://www.wildsidekennels.com/artic...ucellosis.html

[Bclover92]

Never heard of that thanks for the info...

[Dauxside]

Originally Posted by Bclover92

Never heard of that thanks for the info...

TA BC - it's doggy VD, there are treatment these days, but it's transmittable between dogs if they sniff/lick each other; doesn't take mating, and why IMHO it should be considered as a test for fostering dogs.

[FairyDogMother]

Thanks for this info. As a foster, I've never heard of this before. Not much cattle in western WA but Barbie did land here from the east side that is farm country... so thanks!

[Dauxside]

Originally Posted by Teresa

Thanks for this info. As a foster, I've never heard of this before. Not much cattle in western WA but Barbie did land here from the east side that is farm country... so thanks!

You're welcome Teresa, what got me thinking was your Tai boy; because Brucellosis is more common in other countries; but I've seen it here, refused a dog in Cali out of rescue because he tested Brucellosis positive. I couldn't chance it, not only for my own, which I did occassionally breed - like once ever 12 years LOL but because of the fosters as well.