Hi all. I know, the Dengue fiever is not very common in USA, only in some regions of Florida. But may be we have here a member from a tropical or subtropical country, who has already made an experience with this.

My problem is the following: Socks, one of my Pits, has recently changed her behavior drastically. I was following a LB course and when we filmed Socks last time, she reacted extremely desinterested.

I interpreted it as her being fed up with certain exercises.
My instructor and various classmates also saw it like this and said, that I was probably overtraining them. This made sense to me to a certain point, at least as a possibility I had to think about.

But as she was also scratching a lot, I thought it might also be a fungal skin desease, because she and her sister suffer from this every year, though normally a bit later. I consulted my Vet, who said it was much to early yet and he could not properly examine her, because his device (fluorescent light) was not yet maintained!!

In between her state has worsened, reddening of the skin, excessive scratching, fever, loss of appetite. I wanted to consult the Vet again, but it was a high national holiday (Sept 7th, independence of Brazil). The day after a regional holiday in the next town, where most Vets of the region live. No one worked and there exists no medical emergency system here, where Vets would alternate.

No one was willing to examine her, I could only talk with one via phone. His opinion: It might be a fungal disease, but together with the fever it could also be Dengue, as the season is beginning. In that case we would anyway have to put her down. So he considered it not as urgency.

I'm so awfully outraged about such an attitude. I'm not a Vet, but I'm informed about Dengue, as I am living in a subtropical region since seven years.

I don't want to go into all details, but a suspected Dengue is a case of emergency and it should be clarified immediately which type it is. There are 4 types of viruses which cause it, transmitted by a certain type of moskitos. In most cases the illness proceeds simply like a flu. Only one of those viruses can be really life threatening.

I will certainly not decide such a measure so quickly and negligently. I don't see any reason to put her down, as long as it is not proven in every single detail, that we have no other chance.

I have an appointment with another Vet next monday, and Socks can go on suffering until then. Frankly I have lost all confidence.

It will be me, who has to tell him exactly what and how he has to examine and will have to supervise him like a devil. (Unless I'm lucky enough,to have found a non-imbecil, who is additionally responsible and profissional.)

I'm not educated in medicine, all I know is what I've read on various homepages. What if I miss something?

I'm still optimistic though, for I know the probability of the worse case is rather low and it could still be only a skin desease or sommething else.

But in case there is some member here on the Webboard, who has some knowledge or experience, I'd higly appreciate an advice.

Thanks in advance!

I just did a BRIEF search Online about DENGUE in Dogs -- The various websites I read ALL said that Dengue fever CANNOT be contracted by Canines or felines, Christina ... So there is NO way I would have Socks put down for "Dengue". (Of course I am not a vet, and I have no Personal experience with this either, sorry!)

Thanks so much, Candi! I've read the same on US and other Sites. On Brazilian websites I've read the contrary. (But of course I havent read all of them). But I know, that lots of dogs, cats have been euthanized without need.

For me it is absolutely clear that I'd never put down an animal, unless I knew with certainty that it has no chance and will only go on suffering for nothing.

I don't know yet what the next Vet's opinion will be on Monday. But I certainly will be prepared to ask my questions and insist on the exams I want him to do. Sometimes I have my doubts about Vets here. (Don't want to generalize, but ......)I've got the impression some of them just make their money in the most comfortable way for themselves.)

Hi Candi, I just read on a brazilian website, that Vet's here are "fighting" about this topic. Although aedes aegypti, the mosquito which transmits dengue, can sting other animals but can transmit the illness only to humans. This because the human blood has a determined concentration of a protein (named isoleucin), which the mosquito uses to sinthesize the energetic reserves it needs in order to reproduce.

They also say that the same mosquito can transmit other dangerous deseases to dogs and other mammals, but which (as far as I read until now) have other symptoms and can be cured if discovered early enough.

So I'm really relieved what concerns dengue, but not so much what concerns the local Vets. I'll go on reading. So we'll see. I'll let you know. And thanks!!!

 Quote: Christina Stockinger

Hi Candi, I just read on a brazilian website, that Vet's here are "fighting" about this topic. Although aedes aegypti, the mosquito which transmits dengue, can sting other animals but can transmit the illness only to humans. This because the human blood has a determined concentration of a protein (named isoleucin), which the mosquito uses to sinthesize the energetic reserves it needs in order to reproduce.

They also say that the same mosquito can transmit other dangerous deseases to dogs and other mammals, but which (as far as I read until now) have other symptoms and can be cured if discovered early enough.

So I'm really relieved what concerns dengue, but not so much what concerns the local Vets. I'll go on reading. So we'll see. I'll let you know. And thanks!!!

How is Socks doing now, Christina ??? Web sources I read say to check for "Tick Fever" with the symptoms you described -- HOPE she has Recovered !!!

Candi, it's hard to believe!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Today the new Vet came to our house. Such a guy! Woof, after only one single time I can still be mistaken.

But he had immediately a wonderful access to all my 4 dogs, who don't accept strangers so silently. He examined them all and especially Socks. He confirmed: Dengue is nonsense. Dogs don't catch it. Jupi!!! He also suspected with high certainty, that it must be again a fungal disease, which dependant on the type, can also cause fever.

He also took blood samples, which he has to send to a lab, before he can diagnose properly. (He is new here, comes from another state, Minas Gerais, where they seem to be a bit more developped.)

Socks is in between without fever, though still a bit weak and without much drive. But this I think is a normal part of recovering.

I was prepared to overwhelm that Vet with so many questions, but he answered them before I had the opportunity to ask.
By the way, tick fever it cannot be as all of them get regularly the preventive meds. Theoretically it could happen, but it's very unlikely.

So, I naturally still feel a bit worried, but am in a quite optimistic mood. Only one big danger remains: Don't know yet when I will go to strangle that one who said it might be dengue!

 Quote: Christina Stockinger

Candi, it's hard to believe!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Today the new Vet came to our house. Such a guy! Woof, after only one single time I can still be mistaken.

But he had immediately a wonderful access to all my 4 dogs, who don't accept strangers so silently. He examined them all and especially Socks. He confirmed: Dengue is nonsense. Dogs don't catch it. Jupi!!! He also suspected with high certainty, that it must be again a fungal disease, which dependant on the type, can also cause fever.

He also took blood samples, which he has to send to a lab, before he can diagnose properly. (He is new here, comes from another state, Minas Gerais, where they seem to be a bit more developped.)

Socks is in between without fever, though still a bit weak and without much drive. But this I think is a normal part of recovering.

I was prepared to overwhelm that Vet with so many questions, but he answered them before I had the opportunity to ask.
By the way, tick fever it cannot be as all of them get regularly the preventive meds. Theoretically it could happen, but it's very unlikely.

So, I naturally still feel a bit worried, but am in a quite optimistic mood. Only one big danger remains: Don't know yet when I will go to strangle that one who said it might be dengue!

So far, so GOOD Sounds like a much better / more professional Vet, that's for sure, Christina !!!

 Quote: Christina Stockinger

Only one big danger remains: Don't know yet when I will go to strangle that one who said it might be dengue!

Now Christina, you wouldn't do anything that would require someone else to care for your beasties!

On a more serious note, I am sooooo happy that you have found a good vet! They can be difficult to come by, even here in the states! The biggest problem is getting them to listen to what you want to contribute concerning your pet's care! Again, very happy you have found an acceptable vet and over the top excited that Socks seems to be feeling better...I know I am sad when my babies don't feel well.

You're right, Christina! I'd be put into jail and would have to leave my dogs behind me. So I'll give this project a second and perhaps third thought.

Yes, I'm happy about this new Vet. But I'm still very prudent, because so many have made a good impression at first, but then everything came different.
Nevertheless I must really give him a good trust in advance. Listen he really can perfectly!

And Socks is for sure already much better. Not yet her old self. Sometimes in the mood for a very short training session, sometimes not at all. I think for the time being it's the best to leave the decision to her.
Thanks so much for you participation!