During the last few years there have been increasing numbers of dogs in the UK being diagnosed with Brucella canis.
Brucella canis is a bacterial infection that can affect dogs. It is spread through contact with infected bodily fluids. Dogs can become infected through contact with other infected dogs, or through contact with infected animals, such as cattle, sheep, or goats.
The most common signs of Brucella canis in dogs are reproductive problems, including stillbirth, but they can also develop other symptoms, such as fever, spinal pain, weight loss, and lameness. Some affected dogs, however, may not show any overt signs of illness.
Brucella canis is a zoonotic disease, which means that it can be transmitted from animals to humans. The risk of human infection is highest in people who work with animals, such as veterinary professionals, farmers, and pet groomers, but anyone who comes into contact with an infected dog is at risk of infection. In humans, symptoms of Brucella include fever, headache, muscle and joint pain and lethargy. Infants and immunocompromised individuals are at greater risk and there is a risk of adverse outcomes in pregnancy.
Brucella canis is not usually present in the UK, but is endemic in some other parts of Europe and the rest of the world. High risk countries are listed below.
Considering the risk to human health and the health of other pets, our policy is to test all canine patients that:
- Have been imported and not tested 3 months after import. Have been in contact with a dog that has tested positive.
- Have travelled to a high-risk area (see below)
- Have consistent clinical signs with or without travel history.
High risk areas: Romania, Moldova, Macedonia, Bulgaria, Bosnia, Serbia, Spain, Greece, South America, Belarus, Ukraine, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Hungary, Slovakia, Turkey, Russia, East Asia (including China, Japan and Mongolia) South East Asia (including Thailand and Vietnam), Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iran, India and Africa.
The test is performed at an external lab on a blood sample taken in our practice, results can take up to 7 days. We do not wish to profit from this test, so we charge it at a cost of £80.00. If your pet has not been seen by our practice before, an extended consultation will be required with our veterinary surgeon at an additional cost of £76.50.
If your pet tests positive, the APHA have to be informed as it is a reportable disease, we would advise retesting to ensure a true positive result.
Management of infected dogs
Euthanasia: it is very difficult to cure an infected dog, and if it is suffering from disease caused by Brucella canis then euthanasia may be the only way to stop it suffering.
Treatment: treatment is not recommended.
Preventing transmission of disease to people when dogs are infected
Currently there is no vaccine available to protect people or dogs. Even in absence of breeding, direct contact with reproductive secretions, blood and urine should be avoided. Life-long control measure are advised for all dogs with B.canis
Avoid contact with other dogs and environments shared by other dogs. Practice good hygiene, wear gloves when cleaning up areas contaminated by dog faeces and urine. Limit the dogs contacts to as few people as possible. If you change vets, your dog is referred to a specialist, you put your dog in kennels or day care, or you attend a facility with your dog where other dogs are present, it is your responsibility to ensure they are aware of your dogs travel and brucella status.
At Cinque Ports we test any animal that has travelled to or been imported from high-risk countries to help safeguard out staff. If testing is refused, then we reserve the right to refuse to carry out any routine surgery and if your pet does need to be hospitalised they would need to be isolated and barrier nursed as a precaution at extra cost.
Thank you for helping us to safeguard human and pet health.
