VMD 513: Pet animal Breeding, Management, Nutrition and Health Care (1+1)

BRUCELLOSIS

• Brucellosis is a contagious disease of dogs caused by Brucella canis, a small bacterial organism.
• Brucellosis affects primarily the reproductive system.
• The disease causes late abortions and infertility in bitches, and infertility, testicular and scrotal inflammation in males.
• Brucellosis may also cause puppies to be stillborn or very weak at birth. Certain non reproductive signs may also develop.
• Brucellosis occurs mainly in dogs and has not been reported in cats.
• There is no evidence that some dog breeds are more susceptible that others, but there is a high prevalence in beagles.
• Brucellosis is more common in sexually mature dogs, but can affect dogs of any age.
• Both males and females are affected, but it is more common in females.
• Dogs from breeding kennels, pack hounds and stray dogs are most commonly affected, because of their increased risk of exposure.
• Brucellosis is transmitted by contact with infected fluids (vaginal, preputial), especially during breeding or birth. Brucellosis may be transmitted from dogs to people.

Diagnosis

• Brucellosis can be difficult to diagnosis. Confirmation of the disease may require several tests be performed, including the following:
  • A complete blood count (CBC), biochemical profile and urinalysis are recommended in all animals suspected of having brucellosis, but they may be normal or show only vague changes.
  • Serological blood tests that measure antibodies to the bacteria are the most frequent tests used to diagnose brucellosis.
  • There are screening tests for Brucellosis that may be performed in your veterinarian's office or local laboratory.
  • If the screening tests are positive, then further specialized testing is required to confirm the diagnosis.
  • Radio graphs (x-rays) of the spine may show changes in the vertebrae (spine) consistent with brucellosis.
  • The organism may occasionally be cultured and isolated from blood cultures, vaginal fluid cultures, semen cultures or urine cultures.
  • Negative cultures do not rule out the disease, however.
  • Examination for semen quality may be helpful. Male dogs with brucellosis often have abnormal semen.
  • Lymph node biopsy may confirm diagnosis, but it often requires special staining techniques to identify the organism.

Treatment

• Because brucellosis can be transmitted from dogs to people, there is concern about whether all infected dogs should be treated.
• In some cases it may be preferable to euthanize the animal.
• Treatment is not recommended for breeding animals, as it is unlikely that they will ever be fully cured and will continue to pass on the disease or will remain sterile.
• When treatment is attempted, the goal of treatment is to eradicate B. canis from the patient, but this can be difficult to accomplish.
• Any intact dogs are spayed or castrated. Medical treatment is often begun as an outpatient, although some of the antibiotics used for the disease must be given as injections.
• A combination of two antibiotics are often administered. Choices include tetracycline, minocycline and doxycycline given with one of the aminoglycoside antibiotics, such as gentamicin.
• The antibiotics are usually administered for about four weeks and may need to be repeated at various time intervals for several months.