Pound Puppies Talks Breeding, Canine Brucellosis
Pound Puppies organizer Tina Betshismedicine told the Northern Plains Independent that indiscriminate breeding and irresponsible pet ownership are causing the group frustration and making it difficult to gain any ground on the unvaccinated pet population in Wolf Point and Roosevelt County.
“We just can’t keep up,” said Betshismedicine. She said a recent social media post containing home-breeding tips and advice underscored the difficulties of managing vaccination efforts locally.
“I saw a post on Facebook that quite literally made me tear up,” she said. “Our group has been fighting against the current since 2013 to lower the number of stray, unwanted, unintended, lost, abandoned dogs and cats in our area and it hasn’t gotten easier as time goes by.”
She said relaxed attitudes about vaccinating pets are driving an unmanageable pet population.
“We have enough indiscriminate breeding going on here. Please don’t purposely breed your pets, please! Go look to the street if you want a new pup or dog, believe me, they’re out there in high numbers. I’m inviting you all to be a part of the solution. Get in to one of our clinics and show up and get your pets spayed or neutered. It’ll make them healthier and our community healthier as well.”
Betshismedicine said there are common misinterpretations about Pound Puppies that are worth clarifying. Despite the name, she said, the group is not linked directly to either the pound or law enforcement. She said the group gets called regularly with complaints about dogs and cats who have medical issues and/or need to be picked up. Pound Puppies doesn’t provide vet services and they do not pick up stray animals on request. People often think the group is an extension of the pound or city/county operations. Not so.
Another critical issue in the area is the appearance of Canine Brucellosis, which is often spread through irresponsible breeding. In early October, state officials grouped Roosevelt and Valley counties as hot spots for transmission of the disease.
According to a statement issued by the Montana Department of Livestock, Brucella canis is a bacterial infection that has been diagnosed in dogs throughout Montana. The infection can cause abortion and infertility, as well as lethargy, lymph node enlargement and lameness/ back pain due to discospondylitis (inflammation of the disks within the spinal column). Importantly, the disease is also a potential zoonotic disease (capable of being spread to humans). The risk of infection in humans is not fully understood and the Centers for Disease Control estimates that it is likely underdiagnosed in humans. Transmission to other dogs and to humans mainly occurs through nose/mouth contact with vaginal discharge or birthing fluids from an infected female. Semen, urine, feces and nasal secretions too, can pose a risk for transmission. Importantly, puppies can also become infected from their mother during pregnancy.
Said the statement, “Recent epidemiological investigations have allowed researchers to identify populations that are at higher risk for infection, including dogs that originate from Roosevelt or Valley counties, dogs that originate from areas with large numbers of sexually intact dogs, pregnant dogs with an unknown breeding history and animals showing clinical signs (regardless of origin).”
Clinical signs of infection may include history of abortion, reproductive failure, orchitis (inflamed/enlarged testicles), generalized/intermittent lameness, generalized pain, pain on palpation of the back/neck, or uveitis (eye problems). The Department of Livestock/State Veterinarian’s Office encourages dog owners to test their animals if they fit one of the above descriptions. It is also recommended that positive animals be euthanized. Sterilization (if intact) and quarantine, with or without antibiotic treatment and routine testing are offered as an alternative management option. A Brucellosis infection in dogs is considered to be a lifelong infection with potential health and welfare impacts to the animal. Long courses of antibiotics are not curative and can be expensive. This bacterium can sequester in areas such as the prostate in male dogs, making it difficult for antibiotics to penetrate and eliminate all the organism. For this reason, recrudescence may be observed when administration of antibiotics is discontinued. This results in long-term treatment with a combination of medically important antibiotics. Ultimately, many cases result in the euthanasia of the animal.
Pound Puppies will be hosting a spay/neuter clinic in early November. Check the group’s Facebook page for more information. There is a reduced fee for services but the group offers partial and full need-based sponsorships.
For more information about canine brucellosis contact your local veterinarian or the Department of Livestock at 406-444-2976.
