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.
In humans, the disease, which is usually caused by Brucella melitensis, can be very serious. Brucellosis caused by Brucella abortus, B. suis, or B. melitensis is relatively rare in dogs.
Dogs and people can get brucellosis. Dogs in breeding programs, stray dogs that have not been spayed or neutered, and unowned or free roaming dogs are at higher risk of having brucellosis. In people, dog breeders and veterinarians are most at risk of infection because of their work with birthing puppies (whelping).
In a recent study performed in Mississippi, the prevalence of B. canis infection in shelter dogs was 2.3%, but the prevalence in shelters varies from 0 to 8.6%, which indicates that a small number of shelters may have a high seroprevalence of brucellosis (34).
Reservoir. Swine brucellosis (caused by B. suis) is endemic in the feral pig population in Queensland and has also been reported in northern parts of the Northern Territory, New South Wales and Western Australia.
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.
Australia is free of Brucella abortus, Brucella melitensis and Brucella canis. Bovine brucellosis is caused by Brucella abortus and was eradicated from Australia in 1989 as a result of a national eradication program.
Brucellosis may also be transmitted through semen or urine and can be shed by intact or neutered males for several years in cases of chronic infection.
The best way to prevent brucellosis is to spay or neuter your dog according to your veterinarian's advice. Since breeding your dog should be a very well-considered decision, discuss with your veterinarian the potential consequences of breeding. Reducing the risk of exposing your favorite canine also reduces your risk.
Most cases are caused by ingesting unpasteurized milk or cheese from infected goats or sheep. Brucellosis is one of the most widespread zoonoses transmitted by animals and in endemic areas, human brucellosis has serious public health consequences.
While brucellosis is rare in the United States, it is more common in other parts of the world, especially: Southern Europe, including Portugal, Spain, Turkey, Italy, Greece, Southern France.
Brucellosis can infect dogs of any breed and any age, though it is most common in mature dogs. It is transmitted by contact with infected fluids, especially during breeding or birth, and is a zoonotic disease, which means it can be transmitted to humans.
The incubation period in people is typically 2-4 weeks, but can be as short as 5 days and as long as 6 months. In dogs, bacteremia generally begins 1-4 weeks after infection. The period between infection and reproductive losses is variable.
Brucellosis is considered a lifelong infection in dogs. Treatment of infected animals consists of surgical sterilization (spaying/neutering) and long-term antibiotic therapy. Treatment usually consists of a combination of antibiotics, given for at least 4-12 weeks, but treatment is often unsuccessful.
Unfortunately, there are no vaccines available for brucellosis. The best way to keep the disease out of your kennel is to make sure you test all new dogs before they enter your property.
Lethality: Brucellosis has a very low mortality rate, less than 5% of untreated cases, with most deaths caused by endocarditis or meningitis. Transmissibility: Person-to-person transmission of brucellosis is extremely rare.
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.
Many reports have indicated that Brucella species are readily killed by most of the commonly available disinfectants including hypochlorite solutions, 70% ethanol, isopropanol, iodophores, phenolic disinfectants, formaldehyde, glutaraldehyde and xylene [5,10].
Disinfectants with bleach, at least 70 percent ethanol, iodine/alcohol solutions, glutaraldehyde or formaldehyde will effectively kill the bacteria.
What are the signs of brucellosis? There is no effective way to detect infected animals by their appearance. The most obvious signs in pregnant animals are abortion or birth of weak calves. Milk production may be reduced from changes in the normal lactation period caused by abortions and delayed conceptions.
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.
Bangs vaccinating heifers 4-12 months of age is the ideal time to vaccinate. For adult cattle, Red Lodge Veterinary Clinic recommends that vaccination occur in non-pregnant or post-calving cows and bison. Bangs vaccination in pregnant animals may result in pregnancy loss and abortion.
What are the symptoms? Brucellosis typically begins with a flu-like illness. This may include fever, headache, weakness, drenching sweats, chills, weight loss, joint and muscle pain, and generalised aches. Inflammation of the liver and spleen, and gastrointestinal or respiratory symptoms may also occur.
Australia successfully eradicated contagious bovine pleuropneumonia in 1973, bovine brucellosis in 1989 and bovine tuberculosis in 1997.
Although brucellosis can be found worldwide, it is more common in countries that do not have effective public health and domestic animal health programs. Areas currently listed as high risk are: the Mediterranean Basin (Portugal, Spain, Southern France, Italy, Greece, Turkey, North Africa)