Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Yersinia pestis infection causing fever and lethargy in three dogs
By Orloski, K A & Eidson, M·Published in Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association·1995·Bacterial Zoonoses Branch, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Yersinia pestis infection in three dogs.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
Three dogs were diagnosed with a Yersinia pestis infection, which is the bacteria that causes plague. The dogs showed signs of lethargy, fever, and one had a pus-filled skin lesion on its neck. While this infection is more commonly associated with cats, it can also affect dogs, especially in areas where plague is present. It's important for pet owners in these regions to be aware of the symptoms and consult their veterinarian if their dog shows signs of fever or unusual tiredness.
People also search for: dog lethargy fever · Yersinia pestis infection in dogs · dog skin lesion treatment
Abstract
Yersinia pestis infection was diagnosed in 3 dogs. Clinical signs included lethargy (3 dogs), pyrexia (2 dogs), and a purulent skin lesion in the cervical region (2 dogs). Yersinia pestis infection is a potentially fatal zoonotic disease of human beings. Human cases have resulted from contact with infected domestic cats; however, the risk of human infection from contact with infected domestic dogs is unknown. Dogs frequently are exposed to Y pestis in areas in which there are plague epizootics; however, clinical illness in dogs is rare. In the western United States, where Yersinia pestis is endemic, plague should be considered in the differential diagnosis when examining dogs with nonspecific fever and lethargy.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/7628931/