Brucella canis
What is Brucella canis?
Brucella canis is a bacterium that causes brucellosis in dogs. In dogs brucellosis mainly effects the reproductive organs but can also travel to the joints and spine, causing severe lameness and back pain.
Although rare, it is possible for Brucella canis to cause illness in humans who have been in contact with infected dogs.
Before 2020 there were only three cases of Brucella canis in the UK, the numbers have risen since.
Brucella canis is more common in countries with a stray dog population due to how it is spread.
How do dogs catch brucellosis?
The most common way for a dog to catch brucellosis is by:
Mating with an infected dog.
Licking/eating infected birthing/abortion fluids from an infected dog – once an infected dog has given birth or aborted, she will continue to shed large amounts of Brucella bacteria in her vaginal fluids/discharge for 4-6 weeks.
Sniffing or licking the genitals of an infected dog, especially female dogs in season.
Puppies can catch it in the womb or through contaminated milk if their mother is infected.
It is possible for a dog to catch brucellosis from infected urine, saliva or snot, but this is much less common.
Vaccine and treatment
There is currently no vaccine and no cure for Brucella canis. This means that once a dog has been infected, they always will be. The only way to eliminate the risk of the dog transmitting the disease is euthanasia.
Steps can be taken to reduce the likelihood of the infected dog transmitting the disease, these include minimised contact with other dogs and people and the use of PPE by vets when handling or treating infected dogs.
Letter to vets
In October 2023 the UK, Scottish and Welsh Chief Veterinary Officers published advice to vets in relation to Brucella Canis. This letter asks that rehoming organisations screen animals for Brucella canis before deciding to import or rehome in the UK.
Blood test
Testing for Brucella canis is not always standard for rescue organisations or shelters. Green Coast Adoptions have made it a requirement that dogs are tested for Brucella canis before being rehomed to the UK.
Although the likelihood of infection may seem small, testing is a common sense approach and we encourage other organisations involved in rescue to incorporate the test into their procedures.
