My boy's teacher had a dog die recently from this. She asked me about it, because she knows I'm an environmental scientist but biological pathogens is way out side of my field. Does anybody know about bioremediation of a pond etc. on someone's private property? They'd like to get another dog, but want to make sure it's safe first. Anybody to contact? I already talked to the state and they were no help. This is near Destin, FL BTW.

Any help greatly appreciated.

I'm no help but I do know it is pretty nasty and can be picked up from soil, grass etc... in addition to stagnant water. No idea about how you would go about eliminating it from an area entirely.

It is a very rare disease that is inhaled, it generally occurs in dogs less than a year of age. It grows in the digestive tract and frequently is misdiagnosed as a tumor, because it looks like one when you try and remove it. It is 100% fatal, and I've never seen multiple dogs get it from the same family or yard.

Hope that helps.

DVM

I've never heard about this till now, but holy crap reading about it is kinda scary.

[This message has been edited by Onlyfornow (edited 7/18/2013 7:55p).]

Thanks all. DVM, that's interesting and at least somewhat encouraging. The health department folks sort of said the same, that they were sporadic opportunistic environmental infections and nothing could really be done to bioremediate. I thought that might just be the company line so there's no liability, but good to hear your experience with regard to multiple infections. They just want another dog and don't want to make their kids go through losing another poet if there's anything they can do to prevent it.

Tell them to get a dog! Recurrence would be like hitting the lotto twice. Very unlikely. This thing loves swampy moist environments, which is why gulf coast states see it most.

DVM

Vet wife says a new dog could get it as well if the pond remains. Inhalation is not the only pathway to exposure, open wounds are susceptible as well. If you want more info, Dr. Amy Grooters, at LSU Vet School is the pre-eminent authority.

I have diagnosed four gastrointenstinal cases of this and one cutaneous case in 15 years. In every instance the owners had other dogs or replaced the dog effected with no additional issues.

I have also diagnosed this in horses with similar findings. For whatever reason, my personal experience has been that this is an isolated issue that generally only effects few of the exposed animals.

DVM