Pet Dog STDs Rampant: Owners Should Pay Attention to Dogs' Sexual Hygiene

A sexually transmitted disease called "transmissible venereal tumor" is running rampant among the precious dog breeds beloved by enthusiasts. Because it spreads mainly through mating, it has reached a level that demands attention.

In early March this year, the beloved dog "Shali" of Mr. Zhang, manager of a certain company's Chengdu office based in Changchun, contracted this "venereal disease." This female Great Dane named "Shali," not long after being bred with another stud dog, was found to have white fluid discharging from her vulva along with a corn-sized sarcoma, and the sarcoma later grew larger and larger. It was diagnosed as a typical case of "transmissible venereal tumor," a truly terrifying pet STD.

According to Dr. Yang Jinfu, Master of Animal Medicine and director of Shuanglin Animal Hospital, this special "animal STD" generally only develops and spreads among large dog breeds such as wolf dogs and Great Danes. The disease is mainly caused by a virus called "papillomavirus." The initial site of onset is generally the dog's reproductive organs, manifesting as bleeding from the genitals accompanied by rice-grain-sized tumors, which then gradually grow larger; in severe cases, it can spread to the dog's eyes and internal organs. Director Yang also reminds enthusiasts that before breeding their beloved dogs, they should first go to an animal hospital to have the health status of their sexual partner checked, and pay attention to pet hygiene. This is especially true for female dogs: when bleeding is found, do not simply assume it is due to estrus, so as to avoid letting your beloved dog die before its time because of delayed treatment.