Canine Brucellosis is a contagious disease caused by the bacterial organism known as Brucella canis. And while being infected by Brucella canis isn’t going to necessarily “kill” your pet, it can have some dire consequences to the overall health of your loved one and particularly devastating effects on reproductive health.
In fact…
Canine Brucellosis infection is one of the leading causes of infertility in dogs and can be responsible for causing miscarriages (aborted fetuses) in infected female dogs. As a result, brucellosis bacterium can and often will be referred to as Brucella abortus.
It’s also why we wanted to take a moment and discuss precisely what Canine Brucellosis is and provide our readers with some of the clues that they can look for just in case you think your dog may be a carrier of this bacterium.
Canine Brucellosis defined:
Brucellosis canine is an infectious disease that is caused by the bacteria known as Brucella. And while several different strains of Brucella exist within the genius, only the Brucella canis (B. canis) is known to target dogs in particular specifically.
Transmission:
The Brucellosis bacteria or organism is transmitted through fluids. The most common way for this to occur is through sexual contact (breeding dogs) or birth. However, it should also be pointed out that Brucellosis is a “zoonotic disease” as well, which means that it can “jump species.”
Or in other words, even though Brucellosis canine is primarily a disease that affects dogs, the Brucella bacteria can be transmitted from animals to people! Placing professional dog breeds and those working closely with dogs at an increased risk of contracting this disease.
Other occupations that may see an increased risk may include any position that works with many different animals or may encounter stray animals that are only sometimes the healthiest. Here are just a few that we can think of:
- Veterinarians,
- Vet techs,
- Kennel volunteers or workers,
- Animal control,
- Etc…
In cases like these, the “human infection” will likely cause one or more of the following symptoms to occur:
- Fever,
- Headaches,
- Fatigue or weakness,
- Hot flashes and or sweats,
- Joint pain and general “achiness”
- Swollen lymph nodes,
- As well as the potential for unexplained weight loss.
Within animals…
The symptoms or clinical signs can vary between gender. Symptoms commonly found in male dogs may include:
- Epididymitis,
- Deformed or immature sperm development,
- Enlarged or swollen scrotum.
Symptoms commonly found in female dogs may include:
- Vaginal discharge,
- Infections within the uterus,
- Difficulty conceiving,
- Frequent miscarriages,
- Stillborn puppies or weak/sickly puppies.
As well as symptoms that will be shared by both genders which will likely include:
- General fatigue and weakness,
- Swollen lymph nodes,
- General non-specific aches,
- Back pain,
- Difficulty walking.
At this point…
We generally like to remind our readers that we at IndulgeYourPet are not medical professionals. We’re not doctors, and we’re certainly not veterinarians. All we are is a bunch of folks who love animals and like to try and shed some light on common conditions that could affect your loved ones. So, if you think the Brucella bacteria have infected you or your dog or you might be suffering from any medical issue, QUIT READING THIS ARTICLE and see a professional!
Our only real purpose…
Here is this article points out yet another way your loved one could become sick or ill which is why anyone thinking about adopting an animal as a pet needs to take this responsibility very seriously because when you do, you are committing yourself to the health of this animal for its entire life! Which brings us back to….
Diagnosis and Treatment of Canine Brucella
Canine Brucella infection is typically diagnosed by performing a blood test called a “Rapid Slide Agglutination Test” or RAST which will usually able to detect a Brucella infection after an 8 to 12-week incubation period. The problem with this test is that it’s unlikely to see a Brucella infection for at least eight weeks meaning that your dog will likely remain a public health risk until then.
Other tests that may also be ordered may include a:
- Tube agglutination test,
- and an agar gel immunodiffusion test,
Depending on the physic of your chosen doctor.
The good news…
That because Brucella canine is a bacterial infection, it can usually be treated pretty successfully using any number of different antibiotics including:
- Doxycycline,
- Streptomycin,
- Ciprofloxacin or ofloxacin,
- Rifampin,
- Bactrim
- and tetracycline.
That said however…
Most professionals including most dog breeders will typically assume that if a dog has been diagnosed with Brucella canine, they will always be considered a carrier for this disease due to the difficulty to eliminate its presence.
This brings us to…
The last thing we want to discuss in our article here today is the idea of purchasing a pet insurance policy for your pet. You see, Canine Brucellosis is just one of a million different things that could one day affect the health of your loved one. This is why, for many, a pet insurance policy is a perfect way to protect themselves from receiving any expensive vet bills later on in the future.
Now will…
Purchasing a pet insurance policy is suitable for everyone? Probably not, but without at least knowing what one might cost, how can you honestly decide if it’s worth it to you?
For more information on who we feel are currently offering some of the best pet insurance policies in the industry right now be sure to check out our Best Pet Insurance article when you get a chance!
