Brucellosis is a very serious bacterial infection caused by Brucella canis. It is considered incurable in dogs and, since it can be spread to humans by dogs, infected dogs cannot safely be sold or placed. These dogs are usually euthanized to avoid spread to people and other dogs. In some states, brucellosis is a reportable disease that is monitored by public health officials. In these states, the government determines the final outcome for positive dogs.
Although often thought of as a venereal disease in dogs, it can be spread in several ways, including semen, vaginal secretions, aborted puppies, and licking each other’s genitals. It is important for breeders to understand that dogs do not need to mate in order to spread the bacteria to each other. Semen used in artificial inseminations can infect bitches and bitches can spread it to males during normal, pre-mating flirtations. There is also some thought that people can spread the disease between dogs via hands and clothing.
Brucellosis is common throughout the world but particularly in countries with large populations of village and free-ranging dogs. Rates of brucellosis are also on the rise in the US, from imported and transported rescue dogs.
Your entire goal is to avoid brucellosis infection in your dogs through aggressive testing. Every bitch should be tested prior to every breeding. Bitch owner should see brucellosis test results for all semen they use on their bitches, including fresh, fresh-chilled and frozen. Studs should be tested regularly and only be bred to Brucella-negative bitches. Heavily-used studs should be tested every 3 months, if not more frequently. Lightly-used studs should be tested every 6 months or before every breeding, whichever is shorter.
Many vets can do in-office brucellosis testing using rapid slide agglutination tests, which offer quick results, in as little as 30 minutes. However, these tests can have false positives, when a dog tests positive even though it does not have the disease. In this case, the dog’s blood must be sent a lab for further testing using a indirect fluorescent antibody test. This test has fewer false positives but takes longer so test your bitches early in their heat. Even with this preparation, you may still have to skip breeding that cycle if the test results don’t come back in time.
If your bitch aborts a puppy, have the puppy and associated tissues tested for brucellosis. Your vet can assist you in this.
Resources
Brucellosis: A highly contagious bacteria that impacts canine reproduction
Brucellosis in Dogs and Public Health Risk
Canine Brucellosis: An Update
Brucella canis: An update on research and clinical management
Brucella canis: Emerging zoonotic disease? Implications for commercial breeding kennels and public health
