Q fever in dogs

Q fever is a highly contagious infectious disease caused by bacteria. This bacterium can occur in all animal species. It is most common in cattle, sheep, goats and wild rabbits, but dogs, cats and birds can also be affected. Q fever is a zoonosis and can therefore be transmitted from animals to humans.

What Are the Causes of Q Fever in Dogs?
The main cause is direct contact between animals. Animals can also pass it on to their environment by excreting the bacteria. The bacteria are found in tears, urine, mucus, saliva, milk and amniotic fluid.

The disease can be transmitted to humans through contamination via raw milk and meat products.

What are the symptoms of Q fever?
Unfortunately, Q fever cannot always be recognized because there are often no symptoms. Complaints are rare, especially in animals. The following symptoms are more common in humans:

fever, headache, chills, sweating, muscle pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, decreased heart rate, prolonged tiredness. These fatigue symptoms are known as Q fever fatigue syndrome.

Pregnant women with a low resistance have a heavier pregnancy.

Acute Q fever can lead to chronic inflammation. One then speaks of chronic Q fever. This is very serious as it can lead to cardiovascular complications.

How is Q fever diagnosed?
Blood tests are done on both humans and animals to look for antibodies to the Q fever bacteria.

How is Q fever treated?
For prevention, animals are vaccinated against Q fever. Once infected with Q fever, they may no longer be used for breeding or production.

In the case of an acute infection, patients receive a course of antibiotics. If the infection is chronic, treatment can last up to four years.

How Can Q Fever In Dogs Be Prevented?
You can be vaccinated against Q fever as a preventive measure. In addition, breeding with animals that have or have had Q fever is not permitted. An outbreak can be prevented by regular blood tests for antibodies to Q fever.

This text was translated by a translation machine