View mypetMD Content
Home » Dog Conditions
PetMD Seal

Q Fever in Dogs

Save to mypetMD
Share | Print
PrintPrint

Treatment

 

There are medications that are effective in eliminating the bacterial infection, and your veterinarian will guide you in creating an effective treatment plan for the dog. However, be aware that C. burnetii is more resistant to eradication than other types of Rickettsiae, a similar type of bacteria.

 

Because of the zoonosis of Q fever, take extreme care when handling infected animals. To lessen the risk of transmitting the disease, your dog should be immediately hospitalized once it is found to have Q fever.

 

Living and Management

 

It can be difficult to determine the success of therapy because many animals will spontaneously improve. However, even asymptomatic cases should be aggressively treated because of the potential for human infection.

 

By the time a diagnosis is made in a dog, human exposure and infection have more than likely occurred. Therefore, anyone who has been in contact with the dog should also seek immediate medical attention. The incubation period from the time of contact until the first signs of illness is 5 to 32 days.

 

Humans typically contract the disease by inhaling infected aerosols (i.e., airborne material), especially after an animal has given birth; children are commonly infected from ingesting raw dairy milk, but are usually asymptomatic. Person-to-person transmission is possible but rare.

 

 
View Full Article
Share | Print

Related Articles

Head Pressing in Dogs
Head pressing is a condition characterized by the compulsive act of pressing the...
READ MORE
Insecticide Poisoning in Dogs
Areas which are prone to flea and tick infestations tend to use various forms of...
READ MORE
Rabies in Dogs
Rabies is a severe, and often fatal, viral polioencephalitis that specifically affects...
READ MORE
  • Lifetime Credits:
  • Today's Credits:
Hurry Before All Seats are Taken!
Enroll
Be an A++ Pet Parent! Take fun & free courses to earn badges & certifications. Choose a course»

symptom checker

Search dog Articles

 

Follow petMD


Keep your pets healthy and safe with the latest from petMD

Latest In Dog Nutrition

Pet Food Ingredients that Promote Longer Life
Pet foods, in order to promote a healthy long life, must be balanced and complete...
READ MORE
Five Life-Lengthening Health Tips for Your ...
Anyone who has ever had a dog or cat wishes just one thing — that he or she has a...
READ MORE
How Obesity May Shorten Your Pet's Lifespan
Obesity is a nationwide epidemic for our pets. Unfortunately, being obese can shorten...
READ MORE
MORE FROM PETMD.COM