Clinical Signs in Dogs Infected male dogs may have abnormally sized testicles (swollen or shrunken). Other signs observed with canine brucellosis include infertility, anorexia, weight loss, pain, lameness, incoordination, swollen lymph nodes, and muscle weakness.
Signs of illness can occur within one week to several months after exposure. On average, signs and symptoms will begin within three to four weeks following infection.
In female dogs, the most common symptoms are aborted pregnancies, stillbirth, and inability to become pregnant. In males, the primary symptom is the inability to sire puppies. Both sexes may have swollen lymph glands, eye disease, and infections of the spine.
Canine brucellosis is most often transmitted through direct contact with infected vaginal discharge, aborted fetus, placenta, semen, or urine. Transmission after oral or nasal contact with an infected dog may also occur. Puppies can be infected in utero if born to an infected dam.
Non-specific symptoms for both sexes include: lethargy (decrease in activity, appearing depressed), loss of libido, premature aging, lameness (particularly back pain), and generalized lymph node enlargement. However, in many cases the disease may show no clinical signs.
People with brucellosis may develop fever, sweats, headaches, back pains, and physical weakness. In severe cases, the central nervous system and the lining of the heart may be affected. One form of the illness may also cause long-lasting symptoms, including recurrent fevers, joint pain, and fatigue.
It is possible for a pet to live with Brucella, but this has to be weighed up against the quality of life for the pet.
Brucellosis causes reproductive problems (e.g. abortions, stillbirth, infertility) in most species of animals. Other signs can include arthritis in cows and pigs, mastitis and lameness in goats, and oozing skin lesions in horses (“fistulous withers”).
Canine brucellosis is a reportable disease in some states but not in all, so true incidence is difficult to determine. It is widely distributed and reports range from 1% to 9% of dogs infected in the United States, with the highest incidence in the South.
Brucellosis can be diagnosed in a laboratory by finding bacteria in samples of blood, bone marrow or other bodily fluids. Serological tests can also be done to detect antibodies against the bacteria. Learn more about what can be done to help confirm diagnosis of this disease.
See a GP if you have symptoms of brucellosis and:
you've had unpasteurised milk or dairy products. you've eaten raw or undercooked meat. you work closely with farm animals.
This is the most important thing you can do to keep brucellosis out. Typically, your veterinarian will first perform a screening test such as the “rapid slide agglutination” or “tube agglutination” test. A negative result on a screening test is usually very reliable.
Humane euthanasia of infected dogs is often recommended to prevent the spread of this disease.
How is canine brucellosis diagnosed? The infection is usually diagnosed by a blood test. The most common blood test is called a rapid slide agglutination test or RSAT, and it can detect infections after three to four weeks.
Inflammation of the inner lining of the heart chambers (endocarditis). This is one of the most serious complications of brucellosis. Untreated endocarditis can damage or destroy the heart valves and is the leading cause of brucellosis-related deaths.
Brucellosis is an infectious disease caused by bacteria. People can get the disease when they are in contact with infected animals or animal products contaminated with the bacteria. Animals that are most commonly infected include sheep, cattle, goats, pigs, and dogs, among others.
All imported dogs that are to undergo non-emergency surgical procedures (especially neutering) MUST have a negative Brucellosis test result before it will be undertaken.
canis veterinarians should encourage their dog breeding clients to wear single-use protective examination gloves during assistance with whelping including the handling of newborn puppies, placentas, fetal membranes, or exposure to urine or vaginal secretions.
How serious is brucellosis? Considering the damage done by the infection in animals-decreased milk production, weight loss in animals, loss of young, infertility, and lameness, it is one of the most serious diseases of livestock.
Testing littermates of a dog infected with canine brucellosis and puppies from an infected mother-dog is also recommended. Spayed and neutered dogs living in the home with an infected dog are at less risk.
Brucellosis is caused by Brucella species, which are gram-negative bacteria. Symptoms begin as an acute febrile illness with few or no localized signs and may progress to a chronic stage with relapses of fever, weakness, sweats, and vague aches and pains. Diagnosis is by culture, usually from the blood.
Involvement of the musculoskeletal system is the most common complication of brucellosis, while meningitis and endocarditis are life-threatening complications.
Brucella canis Card Agglutination (screening test) Serum (1 mL) $16 Same day Sample must be received by noon for same-day reporting.
This is a serious zoonotic disease causing illness in people. Brucella abortus no longer occurs in Australia as a result of a national eradication program between 1970 and 1989. Brucella ovis infection causes disease and infertility in sheep, but does not affect people.
The Importance of Testing
(There is not a 100-percent accurate, definitive test for this infection in dogs, though there are many tests available.) A simple blood draw is most often used. The rapid slide agglutination test (RSAT) that detects antibodies to Brucella spp. is often used as a screening tool.