Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Localized Mycobacterium ulcerans infection in four dogs in Australia
By O'Brien, C R et al.·Published in Australian veterinary journal·2011·University of Melbourne, Australia·View original on PubMed →
PetCaseFinder translated the abstract of this peer-reviewed paper into plain English so pet owners can read it. We do not publish original research — every detail traces back to the citation above. How we work →
Original publication title: Localised Mycobacterium ulcerans infection in four dogs.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
Four dogs, including two Kelpies, a Whippet, and a Koolie, were diagnosed with skin infections caused by Mycobacterium ulcerans, which can lead to ulcerated lesions. The diagnosis was confirmed through a special DNA test. Three of the dogs were treated successfully with a mix of surgery and medication, while one was still receiving treatment. Environmental testing showed low levels of the bacteria in the dogs' surroundings, suggesting they may have contracted the infection from their home area. Pet owners in regions where this bacteria is present should be aware of this infection if their dog develops skin ulcers.
People also search for: dog skin infection treatment · Mycobacterium ulcerans in dogs · dog ulcerated skin lesions · Kelpies skin problems · Whippet skin infection symptoms
Abstract
Localised infection caused by Mycobacterium ulcerans is described in two Kelpies, a Whippet and a Koolie domiciled on the Bellarine Peninsula, Victoria, Australia. The diagnosis was confirmed using real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) targeting the M. ulcerans-specific insertion sequence (IS2404) in DNA extracted from swabs of ulcerated lesions in all cases. Where available, molecular typing confirmed that three of the dogs were infected with a strain of M. ulcerans that was indistinguishable from a disease-causing strain in people and other animals in Victoria. One dog was still undergoing treatment at the time of writing, but the remaining three dogs were successfully treated with a combination of surgical debridement and medical therapy in one case, and medical therapy alone in the other two. Investigation of the home environs of three of the dogs using real-time PCR revealed low amounts of M. ulcerans DNA in various environmental samples. Mycobacterium ulcerans infection should be included in the differential diagnoses of any ulcerated skin lesions in dogs that live in or visit endemic areas of Victoria and Queensland.
Find similar cases for your pet
PetCaseFinder finds other peer-reviewed reports of pets with the same symptoms, plus a plain-English summary of what was tried across them.
Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22103951/