When you think about sexually transmitted diseases, you probably don’t immediately think about your furry family members and their likelihood of catching one. When you hear about STDs, it’s usually about how people can avoid getting one by practicing safe sex.
Your dog can get a canine STD as well. Not only that, it’s possible for your dog to transmit an STD to you — though this is extremely rare.
To keep your pup safe, it’s essential to be aware of the type of canine STD your dog could transmit, its symptoms, treatment options, and how to prevent it.
Finally, you also should know how to prevent yourself from catching an STD from your dog.
Three types of canine STD
The STDs that a human is in danger of catching and the STDs female or male dogs are at risk of catching aren’t the same.
Each disease is slightly different and will carry different symptoms, treatment options, prevention tactics, and prognosis.
The three most prevalent canine STDs you should be aware of are:
- Canine herpes virus: This virus, also known as CHV, is not the same as the herpes virus that can infect humans, though it is in the same family. While it’s not fatal to many adult dogs, it’s hazardous for newborn puppies. It can be transmitted through mating, inhaling the virus through coughs or sneezes, drinking from a contaminated bowl, or sniffing or licking a dog shedding the virus. Puppies commonly get the virus from their mothers.
- Brucellosis: Brucellosis is a bacterial infection that can cause fertility issues for infected male and female dogs. It’s also hazardous for puppies. It’s spread through mating or contact with infected bodily fluids. Puppies can contract it from their mother during birth.
- Canine transmissible venereal tumors: This STD, also called CTVTs, is one of the only transmissible cancers in mammals. Mating transmits the disease. Licking, biting, or sniffing the tumor can also spread the disease.
Symptoms
The symptoms of each type of STD will be different, as will how it presents in a dog depending on its age, gender, and health.
However, you should always visit the veterinarian if your dog is exhibiting a worrisome change for a prolonged period to get a diagnosis.
Some warning signs to see the vet are more visible but may not mean the dog has a canine STD.
Some STDs may not have any noticeable symptoms.
- Canine herpes virus: There often aren’t any symptoms of CHV in adult dogs, especially males. Rarely do you see kennel cough related to CHV or raised genital sores. Most often, symptoms include pregnancy loss or stillbirth. In puppies, symptoms include weakness, persistent crying, lack of appetite, nasal discharge, or blindness.
- Brucellosis: Symptoms of brucellosis include lethargy, difficulty walking, back pain, vaginal discharge, or swollen testicles. Female dogs may experience pregnancy loss and stillbirths. Puppies with brucellosis may seem weak and lethargic and often don’t live long.
- Canine transmissible venereal tumors (CTVTs): Symptoms of CTVTs include the appearance of a tumor on both female and male genitals or even the mouth or nose. The tumor may present with a cauliflower-like appearance, discharge, or urinary retention.
Treatment and prevention
Thankfully, all three common canine STDs are rare in spayed and neutered domestic animals.
Treatment and prevention will depend on the type of STD, though the best way to prevent each of them is to have your pet spayed or neutered.
Just as human STDs like HIV and AIDS are most common in specific populations, the same goes for canine STDs.
Stray dogs who are not fixed and have no access to veterinary care are the most at-risk for STDs. There are no vaccines for these STDs available in the United States.
Canine herpesvirus
Antiviral medication and supportive care can treat CHV in dogs, though when puppies contract the virus, it often results in “fading puppy syndrome.”
Puppies are often not given medication early enough, and many don’t survive even if they receive it. The best prevention is to have your dog spayed or neutered.
Responsible breeding with frequent testing is also essential.
Protecting yourself from canine herpesvirus (CHV) involves taking precautions to minimize the risk of exposure, especially if you have a pregnant dog or are caring for newborn puppies.
Practice good hygiene: Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water after handling your dog, especially if your dog is pregnant or has recently given birth. This can help reduce the risk of transmitting or contracting CHV.
Limit contact: If you suspect CHV, minimize close contact with puppies and their mothers. While CHV is uncommon in adult dogs, it can be hazardous for newborn puppies.
Veterinary care: Ensure that your dog receives regular veterinary care, especially during pregnancy and after giving birth. Veterinary support and guidance are essential for monitoring and addressing potential CHV concerns.
Awareness of symptoms: Be vigilant about recognizing potential symptoms of CHV in your dog, such as weakness, persistent crying, lack of appetite, and nasal discharge in puppies.
Prompt veterinary attention is crucial if you suspect a CHV infection.
Canine brucellosis
Brucellosis is incurable. Antibiotics can help control the infection, but no treatment effectively eliminates the disease.
Because brucellosis commonly causes infertility, puppies born with brucellosis are rare, and those that are born often don’t survive.
The best prevention is for a dog to be spayed or neutered. Responsible breeders should test often.
Canine transmissible venereal tumors (CTVTs)
CTVTs are treated with surgery and chemotherapy. They are most deadly in puppies and immunosuppressed dogs.
The best prevention is to have your dog fixed and keep it secure and supervised so it can’t interact with stray dogs that are most susceptible.
Protecting yourself from canine transmissible venereal tumors (CTVTs) primarily involves preventing your dog from interacting with stray dogs and reducing exposure risk.
Keep your dog secure and supervised: Minimize your dog’s interactions with stray dogs, especially those in areas where CTVTs are prevalent. Keeping your dog secure within your property and supervising outdoor activities can help reduce the risk of exposure to the tumor cells transmitted from infected dogs.
Veterinary care and regular check-ups: Ensure your dog receives regular veterinary care, including check-ups to monitor their overall health. If you have concerns about CTVTs or notice any unusual growths or symptoms, consult your veterinarian promptly.
Spaying or neutering: Consider spaying or neutering your dog, as this can help reduce the likelihood of your dog contracting or spreading CTVTs through mating.
Can my dog infect me with a canine STD?
Of the three most common canine STDs, brucellosis is a zoonotic disease that can be transmitted from animals to humans.
It’s extremely rare for a human to contract brucellosis from their dog, but it can happen.
Brucellosis is often transmitted from animals to humans through cows through unprocessed dairy.
Those who breed dogs or treat them medically are more likely to come into contact with blood or secretions of an infected animal that can result in contracting brucellosis than a pet owner.
People with a compromised immune system due to age or health problems should avoid contact with an infected dog.
Final thoughts on canine STDs
Your dog can get an STD. Unfortunately, many of them are serious, especially for puppies.
Because we can’t teach dogs to use protection or practice safe sex, it’s up to dog owners to work towards eliminating canine STD problems.
Reducing the stray population, spaying and neutering, and responsible breeding can minimize risk.
It’s helpful to understand which canine STDs are most common, their symptoms, treatment options, and how to prevent them.
Finally, though contracting an STD from your dog is extremely rare, it’s still good to be on the safe side. If you suspect your dog has contracted an STD, visit your vet immediately.
– Noah Rue