Canine Brucellosis Symptoms and Treatment Options

Canine brucellosis is a bacterial infection that can cause a range of symptoms in dogs.

The symptoms of canine brucellosis can be mild or severe, and may include fever, swollen lymph nodes, and joint pain.

In pregnant dogs, the infection can lead to miscarriage, stillbirth, or birth of weak puppies.

Treatment options for canine brucellosis typically involve antibiotics, which can be administered orally or via injection.

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Canine brucellosis is a bacterial infection caused by Brucella canis, a type of bacteria that mainly affects dogs.

This bacteria was first discovered in 1966 during an investigation of beagles miscarrying in the US.

The infection is mainly found in dogs, but other carnivores like cats and foxes can also be infected if they're in close contact with an infected animal.

Brucella canis is considered incurable in dogs, and it can cause a range of symptoms, including pain, infertility, and lameness in canines.

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If you suspect your dog has been infected with Brucella canis, it's essential to take action quickly, as the disease can be debilitating and has no cure.

Here are some key facts about Brucella canis:

Antibiotic treatment for canine brucellosis is not always the best option, especially since it doesn't completely eliminate the bacterium.

The high rates of relapse and uncertain cure after antibiotic treatment make it a risky choice for both dogs and humans.

Antibiotics can be expensive, which may be prohibitive for some dog owners.

Doxycycline and tetracycline are usually effective against B. canis, but some strains may be resistant to streptomycin and tetracycline.

Treatment with oxytetracycline and streptomycin can be effective in 79% of dogs, eliminating the bacterium from the body and organs.

Enrofloxacin is a good option for preventing abortion in pregnant dogs, with results similar to streptomycin.

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Treatment with antibiotics is not encouraged in dogs due to high rates of relapse and the cure still being uncertain.

Antibiotic therapy does not completely eliminate B. canis, so absence of clinical signs after treatment does not indicate the absence of the bacterium.

B. canis isolated from dogs are usually susceptible to doxycycline and tetracycline.

Some B. canis strains are considered more resistant to streptomycin and tetracycline than other Brucella spp.

Enrofloxacin and streptomycin have synergic activity in vitro against the bacteria.

Oxytetracycline for 4 weeks and streptomycin in the 1st week of treatment results in effective treatment in 79% of dogs.

Enrofloxacin has good results to prevent occurrence of abortion.

Streptomycin is toxic and not indicated during pregnancy.

Antibiotic treatment can be expensive and may be prohibitive for some owners.

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Brucella canis is considered a low-risk disease in the UK, but its presence is on the rise, with 91 cases already this year, up from just nine in 2020.

The majority of cases in dogs come from animals imported directly into the UK from Eastern Europe.

It's essential that dog breeders and charities importing dogs from overseas carry out testing for the disease to minimize the risk of infection.

Vets treating imported dogs should use appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) to reduce the risk of infection.

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