Canine Brucellosis

May 23, 2024 | by charlotte.haines@hooknortonvets.co.uk | Pets

Canine Brucellosis

Information for pet owners:

In recent years there has been an increased incidence of dogs presenting with Brucellosis. Infection is rare in the UK but Brucella Canis is endemic in various countries including parts of the EU. A higher occurrence is seen in those dogs that have been imported or have travelled abroad.

What is Canine Brucellosis?

Brucellosis is caused by the bacterium Brucella Canis (B.canis). The most important route of transmission is dog to dog sexual contact. Most infected dogs are thought to carry the disease without clinical signs which can make diagnosis challenging. The common symptoms affect the reproductive organs but sometimes the infection can cause inflammation elsewhere in the body. Clinical signs include infertility, miscarriage of puppies, lameness, muscle weakness, eye inflammation and spinal pain.

Canine Brucellosis can be transmitted to humans, in particular vets during surgery or laboratory staff when handling blood and urine samples. Brucellosis in humans although rare can cause symptoms including fever, headache, joint pain, flu like symptoms, and more severe complications. Appropriate antibiotic treatment is normally successful in human patients. There is currently no effective treatment of B.canis in dogs that has been shown to consistently clear the infection, and it is impossible to confirm that an animal has eliminated it. Unfortunately in light of this and due to the risk to people it is generally recommended that infected dogs are euthanized, particularly if they have painful symptoms.

What does this mean for my dog?

At present we would consider your dog for testing if:

1. They were showing any clinical signs that raise concern regarding Brucellosis; in particular inflammation of the joints (polyarthritis), infection of the intervertebral discs in the back (disco spondylitis), , fever, vaginal or preputial discharge, abortion and testicular asymmetry/ inflammation.
2. Those dogs that have been imported or travelled to canis endemic countries (ideally imported dogs should be tested pre-travel by an approved laboratory and again after 3 months).
3. Dogs that are intended for breeding (including semen collection).
4. Dogs that have been in contact with an infected dog. This should be completed as soon as the risk is identified and again in 3 months.

We take the potential risk of Brucella canis seriously due to the risk to our staff, to you and your family, as well as other dogs in the hospital. At present we require Brucella canis screening tests in all at risk dogs before completing any surgery or laboratory tests. It is beneficial to take these screening tests in advance of your pet needing treatment whether that be routine or emergency, as treatment may have to be delayed until the results are back

Please do not hesitate to contact the surgery regarding further information on Canine Brucellosis Screening.

If you are taking your dog abroad, and want information on which vaccines you will need, please click here

For more information on Canine Brucellosis, please visit the BlueCross website here

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