Can YOU OR your vet (!) properly recognize strep throat symptoms in your dog?
My parents’ dog almost died from a strep throat, thanks to a misdiagnosis by a veterinary neurologist who was treating him for a brain tumor.
The ER vet at a prestigious veterinary clinic where the neurologist was based examined the German shepherd and couldn’t come up with anything definitive; the animal stayed overnight.
Next morning and $1,300 later, we were informed by the vet neuro that the deterioration was due to the brain tumor’s fluid buildup and/or the tumor itself.
He was treated with a diuretic and anti-inflammatory via IV feed.
The GS perked up somewhat for the next eight hours, then relapsed; for the next five days he outright deteriorated: increasing appetite loss; increasing listlessness and weakness; excessive sleep; depressed; glazed look in eyes.
Our pet was eventually sleeping all the time except when the urge to urinate was so overwhelming that he forced himself up and stood at the door; he was also drinking huge amounts of water.
By then, he had had one visit with a new veterinarian who uses alternative treatments for cancer.
Over the phone I described the dog’s symptoms to the doctor, and he promptly diagnosed strep throat!
“Bring him in tomorrow morning at 7:30,” he said. Next morning the German shepherd’s fever was over 104 degrees.
He stayed a few days and was “rebuilt,” explained the doctor, who told us he sees strep throat in dogs all the time.
General Symptoms of Strep Throat in a Dog
Lethargy; a depressed demeanor; physical weakness; glazed, glossy eyes; appetite loss/slower eating; increased water intake; fever; unwillingness to get up at commands; extremely excessive sleep.
In advanced stages of strep throat, a dog will be virtually unresponsive to commands; will need help getting on all fours; may even need to be carried to get from point A to point B; refusal to eat.
Early Symptoms of Strep Throat in Dogs
Subdued nature; glazed or hazy eyes; lack of gusto when eating; picky eating; increased water intake; listless gait; hacking or gagging sounds; upchucking or spitting up; diminished interaction with owners.
The German shepherd began showing early symptoms of strep throat a second time, after fully recovering from his first strep experience.
Because the strep this time was in its early stages, the dog was given a penicillin injection. His full appetite returned that day.
Next day he had a second injection; we took home penicillin in tablet form plus two more drugs to fight the infection, and he was eating like a vulture.
Our vet said, “I see 10 dogs a day with strep.”
There are mulitple strains of the Streptococci bacterium. “Many species of Streptococci are normal residents of the skin, urogenital tract, nose and mouth,” points out Dr. Michel Selmer, DVM, with The Caring Vet in NY.
“People are the natural reservoir hosts for Group A Streptococci,” continues Dr. Selmer. “Group A Streptococci causes ‘strep throat’ in people. Dogs and cats are not reservoirs for Group A.”
Dr. Selmer adds, Group B Streptococci have occasionally been associated with neonatal infections, endocarditis, endometritis and other mixed infections in dogs. Group G Streptococci are normal residents of the skin and mucosa of dogs, responsible for most infections in dogs.”
Canines infected with Group G “May have a history of recent trauma or bite wounds, or may have nonspecific signs (lameness, respiratory signs, urinary signs),” continues Dr. Selmer.
“Most dogs develop a rapidly progressive, severely painful cellulitis. The pet’s limbs are most often affected.
“The dogs become depressed and shocky. Fever, depression, hypotension low blood pressure] and shock may also develop in infected dogs, in the absence of fasciitis.
“Acute pulmonary infections with Streptococci appear to be the main cause of the streptococcal toxic shock syndrome.
“Most dogs with toxic shock syndrome (with or without fasciitis) die or they are euthanized due to the severity of their signs.”
How can strep throat be prevented?
Dr. Selmer says, “Because most Streptococci are normal residents of the skin and mucosa, animals are universally exposed to these bacteria.” A compromised immune system is a risk factor.
“Routine prevention involves good sanitation and hygienic care of wounds and other non-infected lesions.”
Dr. Selmer offers conventional Western plus holistic veterinary medicine, traditional Chinese veterinary medicine including acupuncture and herbal therapy, and integrative medical care for dogs and cats.
Lorra Garrick has been covering medical, fitness and cybersecurity topics for many years, having written thousands of articles for print magazines and websites, including as a ghostwriter. She’s also a former ACE-certified personal trainer.
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