Canine Brucellosis (bacteria Brucella canis) is a serious, incurable reproductive disease occurring in dogs – it is also a serious potential health hazard for humans.  It is a chronic infection of the reproductive tract of both females and males.  Females can exhibit undetected embryo deaths (infertility), abortions (usually around 50 days gestation), enlarged lymph nodes, and vaginal discharge.  Males can exhibit infertility, inflammation of the scrotal skin, inflammation of the testicles and cords, enlarged lymph nodes, and shrinking of the testicles.  The bacteria can also be associated with invertebral disc disease (inflammation of the bones in the spine) and anterior uveitis (inflammation of the eye resulting in a clouding of the surface).

Transmission is mostly venereal (transmitted through breeding) and through oral or eye contact with fluids at estrus or birthing.  The placenta and vaginal discharge are very contagious, while urine and semen are also likely to cause transmission.

Preventive measures are very important in controlling this disease.  All breeding males and females should be tested prior to entering a kennel or prior to breeding.  This involves a negative blood test, 30 day quarantine, followed by a second negative blood test.  All aborted fetuses and neonatal deaths should be submitted for diagnostics.  If brucellosis is diagnosed in a kennel, all breeding dogs should have 2 negative tests, 30 days apart, before using for breeding again.  The bacteria are not particularly resistant to disinfectants and do not survive well in the environment.  Thus, good husbandry/sanitation procedures are essential.  Care should be taken in handling fetuses, placentas, and fluids (use disposable gloves).

Diagnosing canine brucellosis can be challenging.  The two major tests include testing for antibodies in the blood and culturing (growing the bacteria) the blood or tissues (fetus, placenta, fluids, semen, etc…).  Most dogs will test negative within the first 30 days of infection, so a second test (30 days later) is recommended if a recent exposure is suspected.  The insidious nature of this bacterial infection requires that positive antibody tests be confirmed by a different antibody test or a bacterial culture.  The presence of bacteria in the blood can be intermittent (bacteria may localize in the reproductive tract), so multiple cultures may be necessary.  Cultures are best performed during heat cycles, pregnancy, or abortions.

Canine brucellosis is widespread throughout the United States, and the incidence appears to be increasing, especially in kennel operations.  There is no effective treatment, so the introduction of this disease could be devastating to a kennel.  Human disease is not especially common, but is still considered incurable.  It can occur with a concentrated exposure such as handling aborted fetuses or placentas.  Gloves should be worn and all tissues should be disinfected or incinerated.  Contact your physician or health department if a possible exposure is suspected.