Understanding Canine Tuberculosis: Causes, Symptoms, an
Key Diagnostic Points
(1) Dogs infected with tuberculosis, along with other animals such as humans, cows, and cats, can serve as sources of transmission for canine tuberculosis. The disease is primarily spread through respiratory and digestive routes. Factors like damp and overcrowded kennels, fatigue, malnutrition in dogs, and other pulmonary infections can trigger the condition. The incubation period can vary greatly, from a few weeks to several months or even years, depending on the dog's health, nutritional status, management, breed, and age, resulting in a prolonged course of illness.
(2) In the early stages of canine tuberculosis, systemic symptoms may not be pronounced, with the dog exhibiting unusual appetite changes, fatigue, and weakness. Later, symptoms may include progressive weight loss, lack of energy, and a melancholic expression. The location of the tuberculosis lesions can lead to different symptoms: pulmonary tuberculosis dogs may exhibit short, dry coughs at first, progressing to mucopurulent sputum; abdominal organ tuberculosis dogs may show digestive dysfunction, weight loss, and anemia; uterine tuberculosis dogs may present with an enlarged abdomen, yielding a milky, bloodstreaked, granular exudate from the uterus; and skin tuberculosis dogs may develop irregularly shaped ulcers with a nonsensitive base, often found on the throat and neck, sometimes connected to softened lymph nodes or bone fragments through瘘管.
(3) Characterized by granulomas and caseous calcification nodules in various tissues and organs, histologically, tuberculosis lesions often feature central necrosis, which is infiltrated by inflammatory plasma cells and macrophages. The lesions are often surrounded by a capsule formed by tissue cells and fibroblasts, and sometimes central calcification occurs. Shortchain or beadlike tubercle bacilli with acidfast staining properties are commonly found within the cells of the encapsulated tissue and epithelioid cells.
(4) The presence of unexplained progressive weight loss, coughing, pulmonary abnormalities, persistent diarrhea, and swollen superficial lymph nodes in a dog population can serve as a basis for suspicion. Microbiological testing may be necessary if required.
Treatment Methods
To eliminate the source of infection, dogs with open lesions and those with positive tuberculin skin test results are generally culled. Contaminated areas and tools must be thoroughly disinfected. For dogs of breeding value, treatment options such as the use of antibiotics can be considered.
