Animal Health
February 4, 2005
Symptoms, prevention and treatment of Canine Transmissible Venereal Disease

Here at home, many of us may have seen dogs on and off the streets with manifestation of Canine Transmissible Venereal Disease (CTVD) without realizing it.

This disease is more recognizable in the female than the male due to the fact that the tumorous or cancerous cells are located on the border of the vulva while in the male they are found at the base of the penis. {{more}}

A male or female dog with this disease normally bleeds from the reproductive area immediately after urinating. This bleeding occurs in droplets and may go unseen by some.

During the advanced stages of this disease, a cauliflower-like reddish structure is seen on the wall of the vulva, which may at times form a partial blockage of the reproductive tract.

In the male, these cauliflower-like structures are located at the base of the penis and may only be made visible during a physical examination of the penis.

This disease may only be prevented through the establishment of a controlled breeding (mating) system since the disease is spread during mating.

To date I have successfully treated over ten (10) dogs that suffered CTVD.

The treatment of this disease is either by surgical removal of cancerous cells or by the usage of vincristine.