Brucellosis in dogs

Brucellosis is an infection caused by the bacteria, Brucella canis. Dogs that have come from abroad or have travelled overseas are much more at risk.

The disease can be passed on to other dogs in the UK if left undetected. There is also a small risk that the disease can be passed to people. Sadly, treatment options are limited and a diagnosis can mean it’s necessary to consider euthanasia.

Signs of brucellosis in dogs

Brucellosis doesn’t always cause symptoms. But in some dogs it can have a serious effect on health including:

• infection/inflammation of the reproductive organs
• causing dogs to miscarry puppies or give birth to weak puppies
• causing pain and swelling in their joints and back
• a variety of other symptoms including low energy or swollen lymph nodes (inflammatory glands)

How does brucellosis spread?

Brucellosis passes from one dog to another through contact, especially mating, or with infected birth fluids or tissues. Puppies from an infected mother are born with it or get it through their mother’s milk. It can also be breathed in or spread in urine. Most dogs show no signs of illness but can still pass it on to other dogs and to people.

Can people get brucellosis?

Humans can catch brucellosis from infected dogs that they are in contact with. People with a weaker immune system or who are pregnant are at higher risk. Symptoms are not always immediate and can develop over days, weeks or even years.

Caring for a dog that is miscarrying or giving birth is particularly high risk. If you are handling a dog that may be infected, or dealing with birth fluids or afterbirths that could be infected, always wear gloves, wash your hands and use a face mask.

Symptoms of brucellosis in humans include:

• fever
• headache
• joint pain
• general flu-like symptoms
• sometimes more serious complications

The risk of a human catching brucellosis from another human is extremely low.

Testing for brucellosis in dogs

Because there are often no symptoms, testing is the most effective way of finding out if your dog is infected.

Your vet will be able to recommend the best test for your dog. Most commonly, your dog will have blood tests. But there are some tests which use other samples, including birthing material or fluid from joints. Often your dog will need several tests to try to confirm if they have the disease. Sadly, there is no test that is 100 per cent accurate for Brucellosis. Your vet will be able to talk you through what your dog’s results mean and help you to make the best decision for your dog. 

As brucellosis is a notifiable disease, a positive Brucellosis test must be reported to the Animal & Plant Health Agency (APHA).

Treatment for brucellosis

Sadly, there is no effective treatment for Brucellosis.

After diagnosis, your dog may need to have limited contact with other dogs to try to prevent the disease spreading. This includes avoiding spread from urine, meaning owners will need to be careful where their dog toilets to keep other dogs safe.  Infected dogs may also need to have less contact with people, particularly those who are pregnant or have weak immune systems. 

In many cases, owners will make the hard decision to put their dog to sleep if they are diagnosed with Brucellosis. The lifestyle changes that are required to reduce the risk of the disease spreading can have a large impact on the infected dog’s quality of life. They will also have to balance the safety of their household, especially if there are high risk people who have contact with their dog.

Antibiotics are not recommended for dogs with Brucellosis. They may not clear the infection, meaning it will often return, and these dogs will remain a risk to people and other dogs. The antibiotics can also have side effects on dogs. If you own any other dogs, they should be tested too.

The government website provides up to date information about management of dogs that have been diagnosed with Brucellosis.
 

Is my dog at risk?

There’s are still very few cases of brucellosis in dogs in the UK at this time. Only dogs which have been imported from other countries, spent time abroad or had close contact (such as mating with or living in the same household) with another dog with the infection are at risk.

If you’re worried about your dog having brucellosis, or they show any symptoms of illness, contact your vet for help.