Brucellosis is an important venereal disease that can affect various species, including dogs. While it may not be a common concern in most pet dogs, breeders should be well-informed about this disease as it can be transmitted to humans and other animals.
Testing and Precautions for Breeding Dogs
If you are planning to breed your dog, it is crucial to have your dog tested for brucellosis. Active stud dogs should be tested every six months. Moreover, if you are considering breeding your dog, ensure that the owner of your dog's mate provides recent test results for brucellosis for your inspection.
Types of Brucella and How Dogs Get Infected
There are ten species of Brucella, with Brucella canis being the most concerning for dogs. However, dogs can also become infected with other species like Brucella abortus from cattle, Brucella melitensis from goats, and Brucella suis from pigs if they come into contact with contaminated milk, birth membranes, meat, or aborted young. While Brucella canis is less severe in humans compared to livestock strains, it is still considered a reportable infection by health departments.
Dogs can contract brucellosis through various routes, including sexual contact, inhalation of contaminated urine or fetal membranes, exposure through the eyes, or ingestion of contaminated urine, urogenital secretions, or fetal membranes. Brucella organisms can survive in the environment for several months under moist, cool, and dark conditions. Proper disinfection with bleach can help in reducing the risk of transmission.
Signs and Consequences of Infection
After infection, the organism takes about three weeks to become evident in the bloodstream. It then localizes in the reproductive or urinary tract, periodically seeding the bloodstream from there. While infected adult dogs may not appear sick in the short term, long-term immune stimulation can lead to chronic diseases such as diskospondylitis, uveitis, multiple joint arthritis, and glomerulonephritis.
Testing for Brucellosis
Testing for brucellosis involves immunologic tests such as the RSAT (rapid slide agglutination test) and IFA (Immunofluorescent Antibody) test for screening. Further testing for positive dogs includes the AGID (agar gel immunodiffusion) test or the CPAGID for more specific results.
Treatment and Precautions for Positive Dogs
Antibiotics like tetracycline and streptomycin, or minocycline and streptomycin, are used for treatment. However, brucellosis is considered a permanent infection, and infected dogs must be removed from the breeding program, confined to the owner's property, and avoid contact with pregnant women, children, or immunocompromised individuals.
Preventing the Spread in Kennels
Preventing the spread of brucellosis in kennels involves isolating new dogs for one month, conducting two tests two to three months apart to confirm negativity, and regularly screening the entire kennel population every three months. Positive dogs should be removed from the kennel.
Brucellosis is a serious disease with potential consequences for both dogs and humans. Proper testing, prevention, and management are essential for breeders and pet owners alike to ensure the health and safety of their animals and themselves.
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