Our dog lost her puppies last night

[Chicks R Friends NOT Food]

Quote:
She almost looks like a mastiff. So you have a bloodhound and what looks like a german shorthair pointer, what's the black dog? And do you know when you'll hear from the vet?

 

[Cara]

She does have the same coloring as a mastiff, but isn't nearly as big. Her face isn't squished in. The black one is a mutt. She looks a lot like a Flat Coated Retriever but she isn't. Her mom was a Black Lab, her dad is an enigma. Best guesses are Lab/Golden or Lab/Setter.

The vet called last night and told us that both dogs tested positive for brucellosis. It turns out that it doesn't necessarily mean they are, the test has a 60% chance of a false positive so they will need more testing

My husband called a family friend who is also a vet, and he thinks it is unlikely that that is what they have. He's doing some reading up on the subject, as is our vet, and they're both going to call us tonight. I wish we could use the family friend but his practice is 600 miles away! Our regular vet isn't bad, but he is a large animal vet and isn't especially modern. He is geared more towards cheap treatments as most people in the area can't or don't want to spend a whole lot on vet care. Luckily the family friend will be visiting next weekend, so we'll ask him if he can do anything while he's here.

Worst case we'll fix them both and treat everyone. For now we'll ask for more specific testing.

 

[Redyre Rotties]

I have had grump tested for Brucellosis numerous times over the years and never had one come up positive.

Get the other testing done. Meanwhile keep your dogs at home in case they are contagious to other dogs. This would be such an indescribable disaster that I almost cannot describe it should one of my dogs ever come up Brucellosis positive.

I could never take that dog to another dog even, ever. I could never breed another litter. Never bring another person's dog to my home. Never take that dog out in public, ever again.

I hope the Dx is wrong!

 

[Cara]

Thanks so much for the support. Believe me, we're not exactly overjoyed. That's why I have made myself sick with worry. That is why we were both in tears after the vet called.

However, we don't cart our dogs all over the country. As I mentioned, they don't leave the ranch other than for vet appointments. They have no need to, they have a 300,000 acre playground. These two are cattle dogs, and as long as they are able to do what they love that is all that matters.

 

[Brindlebtch]

Can't they spread brucellosis to the cattle and other livestock? Or do the cattle already have it?

 

[Cara]

No our cattle do not have brucellosis! They are vaccinated. Canine brucellosis does not affect cattle, goats, horses etc.

 

[Brindlebtch]

Whew!

 

[PineBurrowPeeps]

SCARY stuff! Hope your DX is wrong!!

 

[Duck Keeper]

What IS brucellosis? Excuse me for sounding like I know nothing.

 

[Cara]

It's a venereal disease caused by a bacteria. Here's a link:

http://www.spc.int/rahs/Manual/Canine-Feline/BRUCELLOSIS(CANINE)E.HTM