Dog-to-Human infection sparks off Health Fears 

PUBLIC HEALTH officials and vets have been warned to look out for a potentially serious disease which can spread from dogs to humans, following the first recorded case of the infection in Britian. Brucella canis, endemic in other parts of the world, can cause flu-like symptoms in people, including fever and fatigue and, in some rare cases, damage to the heart lining. The condition usually responds to antibotics. 

Officials last week praised the actions of vets in Caversham, Berkshire, who raised the alarm after treating the pet of a Spanish family which had traveled from the US. The dog spent six months in quarantine, but the disease had not revealed itself. The vets, and officials from the veterinary laboratories agency, reported the case in the Veterinary Record, the profession's journal. 

Signs 

They said brucellosis should be considered in any animal from an endemic area which displayed signs of spinal or urinary tract disease. Owners and dog breeders should be warned of the possibility of catching the disease. 

James Dunne, who examined the dog at the Oakley veterinary clinic, suspected the disease after x-rays for an apparent slipped disc revealed unusual signs of infection. He sent blood samples for tests and recommended neutering the dog, because the bacteria responsible are found in the reproductive organs. Samples confirmed B canis. The dog responded well to antibiotics and had since been to Spain and back, this time under the pet passport scheme which avoids quarantine. 

Concerns 

Mr. Dunne said the incident raised concerns over the increased travel of animals from foreign countries. "Regardless of the dog being quarantined, it still managed to bring disease into Britain. I think we have managed to catch something that could have slipped away from us." 

Robert Smith, a clinical scientist with the public health laboratory service in England and Wales, said: "Making vets and health professionals aware of this is a very important step." 

Infection of stray dogs could cause difficulties, but well-looked after pets should not pose a hazard to owners, particularly if vets were on the lookout, he said. A similar infection causing abortions in cattle was endemic in mailand Britain until the late 1970s and is still present in Northern Ireland. In England and Wales, there is less than one human case a year. There are also about a half dozen human cases a year of another related animal disease in sheep and goats, usually among visitors or Britons with relatives in the Middle East and Mediterranean countries. It can be contracted through unpasteurised milk or cheese. 

The above information came from Our Dogs Newspaper - Your Complete Guide To Pedigree Dog Shows, Dog News, Breed issue 8-30-2002 in Britian.

Epilepsy

Canine Epilepsy Network
Canine Epilepsy and diseases that cause seizures in dogs

Genetics

Punnett Squares, A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words by Dr. Carmen Battaglia
On The Brink - Ruin Or Recovery?
The Canine Diversity Project
The Dog Genome Project
Finding the Genes that Determine Canine Behavior
Genetic Selection
Scientists Uncover the Gene Blues
Genes and Hips

Cancer

Canine Cancer Network
Ovarian Cysts and Their Impact on Bitch Fertility
CSU Animal Cancer Center
Nutrition And Cancer
Sciences
Cancer Is A Treatable Disease

Other sites of interest

ASC Health Registry
Working Retriever Central Library
OPTIGEN - diagnostic lab service and information for genetic diseases in purebred dogs
Boxer Hypothyroidism
AKC Canine Health Foundation
Encyclopedia of Canine Veterinary Medical Information
EMS and Veterinary Medicine
AVMA Pet Poison Guide
Animal Instincts Vet Schools
EMERGENCY Dog Links
VetGen - Purebred Animal Genetic (DNA) Disease Testing and Profiling
ASPCA/NAPCC Information Page
Pets with Diabetes
Canine Medicine Chest
Poisonous Plants

We, Lisa and I, here at Cal-Ore Cockers want to THANK ALL the people who have researched and entered all the wonderful Medical information that you will find on our Health Links pages. This includes many Veterinarian's, Breeder/Exhibitors, and many pet owners whose concerns and questions about the health problems of their beloved pets, whether they were Cocker Spaniels, or other Purebred dogs or mixed breeds, prompted us to go searching for answers on the Net.

This is a very Time Consuming Project and one that can get out of control as one becomes almost obsessed in looking for the WHY, HOW and the SYMPTOMS that our Canine friends may be exhibiting or ones that we want to be on the look out for, so if, heaven forbid, ones loving pet, show dog or breeding stock, should become ill, we will be able to catch it in the beginning or early stages and know what to expect and what to do.

We especially want to personally THANK a very dedicated gal, Robin Camken, for giving us her Permission for us to include her BMD HEALTH INFORMATION LINKS on our Health Links Page. Robin has spent thousands of hours and many months and maybe a number of years researching & putting together her BMD LINKS. Thank goodness for her as it has taken us almost 2 years, since we started, in researching and finding all the other sites we offer on our Health Links. Robin's Links are quite easy to read & understand. They have pretty much the same types of medical info. that we were looking for that pertains to the Cocker Spaniel.

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