Ebola patients dog PTS

studies in 01 02 found levels of ebola antibodies in dogs post an outbreak in Gabon.
So their immune systems had came into contact with the virus and responded so they can be affected but its unknown how badly canines are affected or how the dogs tested came into contact with the virus.Its also unknown if they can transmit the disease to humans as no studies have been done.

No studies mean an unknown risk. Some people have suggested quarantine and testing for the dog for ebola rather than pts would have been the better idea.
 
I think it would have been a good idea to test the dog, apparently this is possible and quite easy ...

The patient's husband, who is in quarantine, tried to prevent his dog from being PTS. hence alerting the "outside world", but it was too late. Allegedly teo people were injured by the police while the dog was being removed.

With the risk factor of Ebola, it is clear that the animal needed to be treated with caution, but the blood test and disinfection of the whole animal must surely have been possible, esp if the owners would most likely have covered the costs of this (would they be reasonable costs? I don't know, just speculating) ... A potential rash reaction that will not make people who may have been in contact with the virus likely to come forward :(
 
I know that if I was the husband I too would be distraught - losing his dog and very likely to lose his wife also while in quarantine...the poor man must feel like his world is ending.

But, and this is the big but, (I'm open to correction here) Ebola is capable of being transferred between humans and animals isn't it? I'm thinking apes and fruit bats as I'm sure I've read that it's believed that the disease was originally contracted by people eating bushmeat. Like I said, I'm not sure is that's correct but if it is, it's not inconceivable that an animal could be ok in itself but still shed the virus and be an infection risk to others.

I really should have splinters in my arss cos I'm fencesitting here - while I would hate to have my dogs PTS because they possibly could be carriers of a horrible disease, rationally I can understand why the Spanish authorities have done what they did.
 
With respect to everyone, we're discussing a subject of which there seems to be little 'Common' knowledge. Was the destruction of the dog a knee-jerk and pointless reaction? I'm not sure. If Ebola is indeed enzootic, then I suspect that the destruction of the dog was warranted. If not then it was a precautionary step.

It does seem to be odd, I'll agree, but in a country where killing bulls by goading them is an acceptable pastime, I very much doubt that a pet dog will feature that highly on the list of priorities. The poor lady concerned, and her husband and dog, but were I in the husband's shoes, my priorities would be towards my wife, and the dog would be where it always is, on the back seat.

Alec.
 
Dogs can be infected with Ebola, although evidence so far suggests that the infection remains asymptomatic. Agree with Aru - the lack of studies means the risk is unclear and that being the case, I think the Spanish authorities made the right decision.
Have to say, I wish the Spanish cared so much about dogs in general as they seemed to about this particular one!
 
I would have liked the dog to be tested and quarantined rather than being PTS without testing first.

I'm also surprised at the criticism of Spanish dog owners, their legislation regarding dogs is better than ours, here in the UK there are no records of dogs being sold or who owns them, as in Spain. Neither do we have legislation that says certain breeds of dogs can only be walked by a licensed handler over 18. One dog per handler, nor do we have legislation for vaccinating.

Over three quarters of Spanish people are opposed to bull fighting and bull fighting has been outlawed in Catalonia and the Canary Islands. Opinion is much like fox and stag hunting over here really.
 
MerrySherryRider said:
I'm also surprised at the criticism of Spanish dog owners
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My criticism was based on what I see when spending time at my home in rural Andalucia - the vast majority of dogs (and cats) are certainly not well looked after. If their owners can't even be bothered to feed them, I very much doubt they're either vaccinated or registered.
 
What a pity that the Spanish do not seem to worry about all the stray dogs that surround their towns and villages scavenging on rubbish tips etc etc. - I believe their culture is somewhat against castration etc so they just turn out the unwanted puppies. I would have thought they ought to be looking at the health risks all these animals pose first.
 
sport horse said:
What a pity that the Spanish do not seem to worry about all the stray dogs that surround their towns and villages scavenging on rubbish tips etc etc. - I believe their culture is somewhat against castration etc so they just turn out the unwanted puppies. I would have thought they ought to be looking at the health risks all these animals pose first.
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Think we need a little balance here. We seem to be in danger of becoming a little sanctimonious as to the Spanish treat their dogs ...well we are not in a position to criticise in the UK. Dog fighting is massively on the increase, rescues are overloaded and dogs and cats are bred indiscriminately by backstreet breeders for a quick profit. I was highly shocked to find there was strong evidence of a dog fighting ring near Guildford in Surrey.

As for putting the dog down, while I hate that decision, I can understand it. This is a worldwide epidemic creeping out. My only thought was that the authorities had perhaps lost an opportunity to study the dog whilst in quarantine to better understand how and if this disease can be carried by animals.
 
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