Introduction
- Rare primary disease in dogs.
- Dogs primarily develop respiratory form of disease.
- Cause : infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Mycobacterium bovismay also occassionally be isolated.
- Signs : weight loss, cough, depression, anorexia. Occassionally dyspnea.
- Diagnosis : radiography, biopsy, culture.
- Treatment :
- Euthanasia.
- Long-term and potentially toxic chemotherapy. Often not attempted.
- Prognosis : guarded.
Diagnosis
Clinical signs
- Cough.
- Muffled respiratory sounds with pleural effusion.
- Ascites.
- Pyrexia.
- Lymphadenopathy - mesenteric, tracheobronchial, peripheral.
- Bone pain or swelling (hypertrophic pulmonary osteopathy). Lot of soft tissue reaction.
Diagnosis
Differential diagnosis
- Metastatic pulmonary neoplasia.
- Lymphoma.
Sequelae
Prognosis
- Guarded and treatment rarely recommended.
Sources
Publications
Refereed papers
- Aranaz A, Libana E, Pickering X, Novoa C, Mateos A & Domnguez L (1996) Use of polymerase chain reaction in the diagnosis of tuberculosis in cats and dogs. Vet Rec 138 , 276-280.
- Clercx C (1992) Tuberculosis in dogs - a case report and review of the literature. JAAHA 28 , 207.
- Trujillo-Rojas R A (1967) Pulmonary tuberculosis in dog diagnosed by a positive culture of Mycobacterium tuberculosis from laryngeal swab. Am Rev Respir Dis 95 , 674-675.
Organization(s)
- Regional Center for Mycobacteriology (PHLS) , Llandough Hospital, Penlan Road, Renarth, Cardiff CF64 2XX, UK. Tel: +44 (0)2920 716408.
- Mycobacteria Unit , City Hospital, Edinburgh EH10 5SB, UK.
- Mycobacteria Unit , St James Hospital, St James Street, Dublin 8, Ireland.




