Rare Canine Disease Showing up in MI/IN

[Guest guest]

August 21, 2008

 

LANSING, Mich. -- Dog owners and buyers are being warned about a rare

disease that has resulted in the death of two dogs in Van Buren

County and been reported in dogs in three other Michigan counties.

 

Dr. Kenneth Main, a veterinarian at the Allegan Animal Clinic, said

two dogs he was treating for canine brucellosis, a bacterial disease

passed through breeding, were euthanized a month ago.

 

" We were totally surprised by the results (of testing), " Main said of

positive tests in the two dogs brought to his clinic. " This is the

first time in my 36 years I have seen a case of it. "

 

The Michigan Department of Agriculture issued a warning last week

after cases of the disease were found in three dog-breeding

facilities in Missaukee, Osceola and Wexford counties.

 

One of the " designer " dog breeding remains under quarantine and may

not sell any animals to the public until all dogs on the premises

test negative for the disease, which can take several years. The

facilities sold small cross-bred " lap " dogs in Michigan.

 

Authorities also found two Van Buren County purebred dogs imported

from a kennel in Indiana to be positive for CB and Indiana animal

health officials are investigating.

 

Michigan State Veterinarian Steven Halstead issued a statement on the

MDA's Web site.

 

" If a small puppy or lap dog was purchased in Michigan in the past

year, and the dog is showing signs of illness, owners should make

arrangements with their private practitioner for canine brucellosis

testing, " Halstead said. " It is important to know if a dog is

infected as soon as possible. "

 

Symptoms of the disease in dogs are arthritis, eye problems and

general malaise, Main said. He added, though, that the symptoms are

not always prominent. " It could take a couple of years before you

notice anything, " ' he said.

 

More serious side effects of the disease include sterility in male

dogs and aborted puppies in females.

 

While transmission of the disease to humans is rare, it is possible,

Mann said. The disease is generally passed to humans through fluids

infecting an open sore or cut, he said.

 

Some warning signs of the disease in humans include flu-like symptoms

and enlarged lymph nodes.

 

Main said that the recent cases are a " reminder that it's

(brucellosis) out there " and people need to get their dogs tested for

the disease.

 

The tests typically cost $20 to $30, Main says.

 

The Associated Press and The Kalamazoo Gazette contributed to this

report.