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Does Your Dog Have Tuberculosis?

Tuberculosis is a disease caused by the species Mycobacterium tuberculosis, which is a single-celled, rod-shaped microorganism. This pathogen has three known varieties: the M. tuberculosis var. avium causes tuberculosis among fowls; the M. tuberculosis var. bovis causes tuberculosis among cattle; and the M. tuberculosis var. hominis causes tuberculosis among humans.

Unfortunately, one type of tuberculosis is not confined to one kind of animal. Cattle tuberculosis may infect other animals such as parrots, cats, pigs, and dogs. Humans can also contract cattle tuberculosis. In the same morbid way, human tuberculosis can induce the disease in cattle, parrots, pigs, and dogs. And avian tuberculosis has been known to wreak havoc on swine and sheep. Cold-blooded animals such as alligators, iguanas, turtles, frogs, fishes, and snakes may also contract tuberculosis.

Dogs are immune to avian tuberculosis, but are very susceptible to human and bovine types. Why must we be concerned about the tuberculous dog? A dog with tuberculosis poses a great danger to people, especially the children, who often play with dogs.

Most tuberculous dogs range from the age of one to five years. But an older dog may still contract the disease. There is no distinct way to tell whether a dog has tuberculosis or not. A dog with tuberculosis will appear healthy while alive. Only when the dogs die and their bodies examined will lesions in the lungs show the presence of the disease. However, there is a possibility of infection when the dog is in contact with a person (perhaps one of its masters) who has active pulmonary tuberculosis. A dog may also acquire the disease by drinking contaminated cow’s milk.

Loss of weight and cough may indicate tuberculosis. But the most reliable way so far, to determine the presence of the disease is through the use of the tuberculin test. Tuberculin was first developed by Koch from the glycerine extract of the tubercle bacilli.

When a dog (or any animal or person) has tuberculosis, it becomes highly allergic to the tuberculin substance, When injected, the skin will immediately show this hypersensitivity. In the United States, this is called the Mantoux test, while in the United Kingdom, it is known as Heaf test.

For dogs, the tuberculin substance is known as PPD (purified protein derivative). But when the dog has mange or at the terminal stages of the disease, the tuberculin test may no longer work. Sadly, a tuberculous dog must be destroyed to prevent further spread of the disease.