If you thought that only humans get venereal diseases, guess what? Animals also get them. For instance, there is Rabbit syphilis, a bacterial disease caused by the spirochete Treponema cuniculi, contagious equine metritis in Horses, as well as equine coital exanthema caused by equine herpesvirus 3, to name a few.
However, since I am a Dog and Cat medical practitioner, I will focus more on what venereal diseases Dogs can get.
CANINE AND CONTAGIOUS?
The more archaic name of the sexually transmitted infection among Dogs that I have in mind is transmissible venereal tumor (TVT).
The term “venereal” refers to the Roman goddess Venus, the goddess of love. The word “venereal” points to how these diseases are transmitted through coitus, although this is not always true.
This disease is known by many names: contagious canine condyloma, contagious venereal tumor, and infectious sarcoma. It is usually associated with a particular species, the canids: Dogs, Foxes, Coyotes, and Jackals. Both males and females are equally susceptible.
Despite its many names saying it’s contagious, it is not as widespread as others might think.
HOW DO DOGS GET TVT?
In my clinical practice, I have observed that unneutered Dogs who freely roam and live in urban areas, especially when they are in the reproductive stage, are more likely to get the disease.
Even though it’s an STD, it can be transmitted orally, too: Dogs have the habit of greeting themselves via smelling and licking, not to mention skin-to-skin contact. It is usually transmitted through mating involving canines who carry the tumor cells.
WHAT SHOULD YOU WATCH OUT FOR?
The usual signs include unexplained bleeding in the external reproductive organs of both male and female Dogs, along with a foul-smelling odor.
Perhaps the most unforgettable symptom once it becomes sizable is a cauliflower-shaped tumor, which bleeds easily when touched. Whenever veterinarians suspect that the cause of bloody discharge or urine is caused by TVT, they observe the usual precautions while also testing for the disease.
FYI, WE HAVE A HUMAN VERSION OF IT
Perhaps you’ve heard of the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), known to cause cancer in reproductive, anal, and oral regions. They also cause genital warts. Just like TVT, HPV is transmissible. This is why any woman who is sexually active, even if she has only one partner, is advised to get screened.
To protect from reproductive cancers, women are asked to get a Pap smear regularly — this test is very effective in detecting small changes in the cervix, leading to early diagnosis and treatment. Pap smears save lives!
IF YOU THINK YOUR DOG HAS IT…
Bring your Dog to the vet so that they can get tested. The vet will get your canine companion’s history and will do an examination of the lesion. Blood will be drawn for tests as well.
While the laboratory tests are not necessary at first, they might be useful in assessing if the Dog is fit for chemotherapy.
HOW IS TVT DIAGNOSED?
A three-year-old female Dog was brought into the clinic where I used to work as an associate. The Dog presented with unexplained bleeding near the genitals. I observed a cauliflower-shaped tumor surrounding the genitalia as well as some parts of the perineum, which exuded a foul odor. It was also full of puss. The margins of the tumor had several ulcers, with some parts bleeding when touched.
When a cough is observed, it might be wise to perform thoracic imaging to determine if the tumor has spread, which is unlikely if diagnosed early.
HOW IS IT TREATED?
I prefer chemotherapy over surgical excision to minimize postoperative disfigurement. Recurring tumors are not a good sign: They sometimes occur as sizable tumors and, if operated upon once more, might induce spread of the tumor cells to nearby areas.
It is possible for the tumor cells to find their way to other parts of the body. Chemotherapy finds these cells: An anticancer agent arrests their growth by preventing cell division.
The usual chemotherapy regimen involves a weekly session for six weeks until clinical remission is achieved — that is, the tumor is no longer visible or perceptible through touch.
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?
My clinical experience has been varied. Some Dogs are treated despite initially being thought of as incurable, while others eventually succumbed to their illness.
What can lead to a positive outcome is early discovery and treatment by a veterinarian specializing in companion animal medicine.
HOW DO YOU PREVENT IT?
It helps to have Dogs spayed — this keeps them from going out and mating with other Dogs. Without sexual contact, they have a smaller chance of contracting TVT.
It also helps to keep Dogs from leaving your home. The more they roam, the more they are exposed to this disease.
Dr. Emmanuel D. Macapagal is the 2000-2001 president of the Philippine Animal Hospital Association, Inc.
