Ever wondered if your dog can contract sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)? Surprisingly, the answer is yes. Just like humans, dogs can contract and pass along STDs to other dogs and, in some rare cases, can even pass certain STDs to you.¹

Ready to learn more about STDs in dogs? Read on to learn all about it. We’ll cover common STDs in dogs, the signs your dog may be suffering from an STD, how to treat dog STDs, and preventative measures to keep you and your pup safe.

• STDs in Dogs
• Brucellosis
• Canine Herpesvirus
• Canine Transmissible Venereal Tumor (CTVT)
• Dog STD Symptoms
• Canine STD Treatment
• FAQs
• Final Notes

STDs in Dogs

The three most common STDs that affect dogs are brucellosis, canine herpesvirus, and canine transmissible venereal tumor (CTVT). Let’s review these diseases and signs that your dog may be suffering from them.

Brucellosis

Brucellosis is a somewhat rare but serious dog STD caused by the bacteria Brucella canis.² It’s most commonly contracted from livestock and then passed along from dog to dog. Though rare, brucellosis is an important dog STD to have on your radar; just like dogs can pass this infection to one another, they can pass it to humans, too.²

Both male and female dogs are susceptible to brucellosis, and its effects can be devastating for both sexes. Brucellosis can lead to infertility and miscarriage in female dogs and genital infections in males.² It’s also a dangerous infection for young dogs. Puppies with brucellosis experience severe health complications that most often result in early death.1]

Brucellosis is passed from dog to dog either during sexual intercourse or by licking the genitals of a dog with the infection. In some cases, they may even contract brucellosis from coming into contact with an infected dog's urine or feces. Puppies can contract brucellosis from their mothers during birth.²

Humans can contract brucellosis from infected dogs during birth, too, if they come into contact with discharge or birthing fluids.² Fortunately, brucellosis isn’t an STD in humans. Most humans with brucellosis will experience flu-like symptoms.

Symptoms of brucellosis

Female dogs:²

• Lethargy
• Joint and back pain
• Swollen lymph nodes
• An increase in vaginal discharge
• Infertility
• Miscarriages and stillbirths, especially in late-stage pregnancies

Male dogs:²

• Lethargy
• Joint and back pain
• Swollen lymph nodes
• Skin rash and irritation, especially on the scrotum
• Swollen or inflamed testicles

Canine Herpesvirus

Canine herpesvirus is an STD affecting both adult dogs and puppies. While it affects for both adults and puppies, it’s a more significant concern in puppies. Puppies with the disease often develop lung infections that lead to pneumonia, brain damage, and blindness. Unfortunately, puppies with canine herpesvirus typically die by their third week of life.⁴

In adult dogs, canine herpesvirus is less severe. It can cause mild, flu-like symptoms and sore, inflamed genitals. Pregnant dogs who contract canine herpesvirus may miscarry. ⁴

Like brucellosis, canine herpesvirus is most commonly spread from adult dog to adult dog through sexual contact or from contact with an infected dog’s genital fluids. This may include licking another dog’s genitals or coming into contact with their feces or urine. Puppies can contract canine herpesvirus during birth if their mother has the dog STD. ⁴

Canine Herpesvirus is not transmissible to humans.

Symptoms of canine herpesvirus

Puppies:⁴

• Chronic infection
• Respiratory problems and difficulty breathing
• Loss of appetite
• Gray or green feces
• Seizures
• Neurological issues
• Blindness
• Sudden death

Adult dogs:⁴

• Upper respiratory infection
• Genital lesions
• Eye infections

Canine Transmissible Venereal Tumor (CTVT)

Canine transmissible venereal tumor is a contagious, sexually transmitted cancer. These tumors are cauliflower-like in appearance and almost always located on the genitalia, though they can also occur on the nose.⁶ Identifying and diagnosing transmissible venereal tumors can sometimes be a challenge, as they’re often nestled deep inside the body. ⁶ While they are cancerous, studies have shown that they can be quite treatable.[6-7]

Like canine herpesvirus, canine transmissible venereal tumors cannot be spread to humans.

Symptoms of canine transmissible venereal tumor (CTVT)

• A new lump in the genital area
• Excessive licking
• Bleeding and discharge
• Difficulty urinating
• Sneezing and coughing[6-7]

Dog STD Symptoms

While each STD has its own list of symptoms, general STD symptoms in dogs are not dissimilar to those of a bacterial infection or an allergic reaction. As a result, they can often be confused for other illnesses. To keep your dog safe, it is important to remember any times your dog has been sexually active and make a note of it so you can update your veterinarian.

Signs that your dog may have an STD may include:

• Miscarriages
• Inflamed genitals
• Whimpering, crying
• Reluctance to mate
• Eye issues

Canine STD Treatment

What does it mean if your dog is diagnosed with an STD? Is it fatal? Can it be cured? The answer varies from disease to disease.

Brucellosis is difficult to diagnose and treat. Although laboratory tests can be run, their success and accuracy is questionable. Likewise, the treatment that is often prescribed is long-term antibiotics, but your dog’s veterinarian will decide what is the best action to take.² Unfortunately, dogs with any history of brucellosis cannot be bred due to this difficulty with diagnosis and treatment.

Like the herpesvirus present in humans, canine herpesvirus does not currently have a cure.³ The infection will remain in the dog's body throughout their entire life. Your veterinarian may still suggest some treatments that have occasionally worked to reduce a puppy’s discomfort, but typically, the severity of the flare-ups calms over time.³

However, if your dog has been diagnosed with this disease, talk to your veterinarian if you notice they are going through serious discomfort so you can make a plan on how to ease this pain for them. To best prevent puppies from infection, keep your pregnant dog away from other dogs at least 3 weeks before they are due to give birth.³

There are several treatment options for canine transmissible venereal tumors, including surgical removal, chemotherapy or radiation therapy.⁵ Typically, most veterinarians will opt for chemotherapy as the success rate of this treatment is good.⁵ However, in rare cases, the tumor has already spread throughout the body, which can then be harder to treat.

How to Prevent Canine STDs

To keep your dog happy and healthy, it’s important to take preventative measures to protect your dog from STDs. Follow these tips to give your dog the best chance at staying safe:

• Spay or neuter your dog: This is the most important step in preventing your dog from getting STDs. Spayed and neutered dogs have a much lower chance of engaging in sexual contact.
• Get regular health checkups: Regular vet visits are an important part of keeping your dog healthy. If your dog has been breeding, it’s important to inform your vet so they can perform the necessary tests.
• Stay clean: Make regular cleaning of toys, bedding, and your home a regular routine. Focus on areas where dogs frequently urinate to reduce the chance of spread.
• Isolate infected dogs: If your dog does catch a dog STD, keep them isolated from other pets to limit the spread of the disease. Wash your hands after interacting with them, too.

FAQs

How do I know if my dog has an STD?

You should watch for any symptoms but also ensure that you keep an eye on your dog’s sexual activity. Routine checkups with your veterinarian are the best way to keep an eye on your dog’s overall health and well-being, as well as keeping a watchful eye for any changes in behavior.

What types of STDs can dogs get exposed to?

There are a multitude of STDs that dogs can get, but the three most common are brucellosis, Canine Herpesvirus, and Canine Transmissible Venereal Tumors. If you suspect that your dog has been sexually active or might have an STD, take them to the vet to get checked up on and ensure that you wash your hands thoroughly after touching them.

Can dogs expose humans to STDs?

Yes, if your dog was diagnosed with brucellosis, then there is a chance they can pass this disease onto you. This is caused by Brucella melitensis and your veterinarian can give you sufficient advice on how to prevent yourself from contracting the disease and measures you can take.

How are STDs in dogs different from in humans?

The primary difference between STDs in dogs and STDs in humans is their spread. Dogs much more regularly come into contact with one another's genitals, urine, and feces, making transmission of dog STDs much easier than humans.

While there are STDs that can transmit from dogs to humans, they don’t manifest as STDs in humans. For instance, humans can contract brucellosis from dogs, but brucellosis is simply an infection in humans, instead of an STD.

Final Notes

Staying aware, taking your pup for regular checkups, and keeping an eye on potential STD symptoms is an important part of pet parenthood. Questions about STDs in dogs? Our team of licensed veterinarians is ready to answer any questions you may have about your own pet.

Dutch vets can assess your pet through an online consultation, provide a diagnosis, and develop a treatment plan specifically tailored to your pet. Make an appointment today!