In the last two years there have been an increasing number of dogs identified with Brucella canis infection in the UK. Government bodies have reported that these dogs have largely either been imported or have a travel history to Eastern Europe, the Middle East or Western Europe. Brucella canis can be transmitted to humans (meaning it’s a zoonotic disease) and therefore, with increasing case numbers it has become important that we consider the health and safety, not only of our clients and their pets, but also the staff and students working at the QMHA.

What is Brucella canis and what are the clinical signs?

Brucella canis is a bacterial organism that can cause infection in dogs. Clinical signs of infection include spontaneous abortion, weak puppies at birth, infertility in male and female dogs, enlarged or shrunken testicles, lameness, back pain, inflammation in the eye and lethargy. However, some dogs show no clinical signs but can carry and spread the disease.

How is Brucella canis transmitted?

Brucella canis can be spread by contact with all body fluids e.g. blood, urine, nasal/ocular discharge, saliva, reproductive fluids at the time of birth/abortion, vaginal and seminal secretions. It can also be transmitted if you come into contact with these fluids on other surfaces e.g. towels, bedding, toys. Vertical transmission (i.e. mother to offspring) has been reported. In the UK, dog to human and dog to dog transmission has been reported.

What does this mean for referral of your dog to the QMHA?

Your dog can be tested for Brucella canis. If your dog tests negative, then we will be pleased to organise and welcome you and your dog for your appointment with no additional measures.

If your dog has been in a country where Brucella canis is endemic but has not been tested and needs urgent or emergency treatment, we ask that your primary care veterinary surgeon contacts us to discuss referral so that we can organise the best approach.

If your dog has clinical signs that are compatible with Brucella canis or we have concern that your dog or others in the household have high risk for Brucella canis and your dog has not been tested, then we reserve the right to require Brucella canis testing is performed before we proceed with further investigations. We will be able to undertake this testing for you, but we may postpone further investigations until results are available.

If there is clinical concern that your dog could be Brucella canis positive during hospitalisation, then additional safety precautions will be required (e.g. personal protective equipment and hospitalisation in our infectious ward). This will incur additional charges for hospitalised care.

How can my dog be tested for Brucella canis?

Dogs can be tested for Brucella canis using a blood test which can be performed by any veterinary surgeon.

We recommend that dogs are tested using the test available from the Animal Plant and Health Agency (APHA) which is the government testing laboratory.

Brucella canis is a reportable disease in the UK which means that it has to be reported to the government authorities. We have provided information on our website for your veterinary surgeon so that they know which test to perform. Please be aware that results for these tests can take 7-21 days.

Please contact your primary care veterinary surgeon to arrange testing.

How can I find out more information?

If you would like to read more about Brucella canis infection in dogs and risks to humans we would recommend that you review the APHA information and information provided by the British Veterinary Association (BVA).

http://apha.defra.gov.uk/documents/surveillance/diseases/Canine-Brucellosis-Summary-Final-260421.pdf

https://www.bva.co.uk/news-and-blog/blog-article/brucella-canis-what-vets-need-to-know/

How can I get help?

If you are concerned that your dog may be positive for Brucella canis and are worried about your personal exposure or for those individuals in your household, please contact your medical practitioner (GP) for advice.

If you would like further information on referral of your dog to the QMHA then please contact QMHA Reception and we would be pleased to offer our advice.

Email: QMHreception@rvc.ac.uk 

Telephone: +44 (0) 1707 666399

Website: https://www.rvc.ac.uk/small-animal-vet/specialist-referrals