Tuberculosis - Dogs

Introduction

Tuberculosis rarely affects the dog. Infection with Mycobacterium spp. is usually from a human or cattle source. Granulomatous lesions develop in various body systems. Infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis can uncommonly result in cutaneous tuberculosis which is charcterised by ulcers, abscesses and plaques affecting the skin.

Also see general page on Tuberculosis.

Signalment

Dogs of any age or breed in contact with tuberculosis infected people or cattle.

Diagnosis

The intradermal tuberculin test can produce false negative results in the dog.

Clinical signs

Clinical signs depend on which body system is affected, associated regional lymph nodes will be enlarged in any case.

• Dyspnoea
• Soft productive cough
• Diarrhoea
• Liver failure

Radiology

Nodular soft tissue opacities will be seen in th lungs, most commonly in the caudal lung lobes.

Pathology

On post mortem examination firm multifocal nodules, with necrotic centres are found in the caudal lung lobes, liver, kidney, pleura and peritoneum. The lesions are often exudative, discharging a yellow fluid into the thorax and abdomen.

Treatment

Euthanasia is advised due to the zoonotic potential of the disease.

Links

General page on Tuberculosis

Bovine Tuberculosis

Avian Tuberculosis

Literature Search

Use these links to find recent scientific publications via CAB Abstracts (log in required unless accessing from a subscribing organisation).


Canine Tuberculosis publications

References

• Blood, D.C. and Studdert, V. P. (1999) Saunders Comprehensive Veterinary Dictionary (2nd Edition) Elsevier Science
• Merck & Co (2008) The Merck Veterinary Manual (Eighth Edition) Merial