Canine Brucellosis

What is it?

Canine brucellosis is caused by the bacterium Brucella canis. It spreads easily between dogs, mainly through contact with genital fluids, urine, aborted puppies, or placental material, and through mating. Infected females can shed bacteria in discharge for four to six weeks after a miscarriage.

What signs should I watch for?

Females may be infertile, have trouble getting pregnant, or miscarry late in pregnancy (often days 45 to 55), or give birth to stillborn or weak puppies; a persistent vaginal discharge is common. Males may have an enlarged scrotum or testicle, a rash on the scrotum, reluctance to mate, and infertility, and the testicles may later shrink. Enlarged lymph nodes may be seen; fever is uncommon. It can occasionally affect the spine, eyes, kidneys, heart, or brain.

How is it diagnosed and treated?

Diagnosis is by blood tests; a positive screening test should be confirmed with a more specific test. Antibiotics can help control it, but no treatment reliably clears the bacteria, so an infected dog should be considered infected for life and may shed bacteria on and off. Spaying or neutering reduces shedding. In some areas brucellosis must be reported to health authorities.

Can it be prevented, and what's the outlook?

• Breeding dogs should be tested regularly and before breeding, and new dogs should be quarantined and tested (often two tests four weeks apart) before joining a kennel.
• Infected dogs should not be bred.