All veterinary practices in the UK are being asked to be on the lookout for Brucellosis and set up protocols to protect owners, veterinary staff and our UK dog population from this disease.

Canine brucellosis is an infectious disease in dogs. It is caused by a bacteria called ‘Brucella canis’. Until recently, the UK has been free from canine brucellosis however, vets are seeing an increase in cases due to the rise in dogs being imported and travelling outside the UK, where unfortunately, the disease is common.

Canine brucellosis is zoonotic, meaning it can be passed from an animal to a human causing illness. It is therefore important that we control the spread of canine brucellosis to protect both human and animal health.

If your dog has been imported from abroad or has travelled abroad, please read further. This document details what we as a practice are implementing to protect against the spread of this disease and what to expect as a pet owner.

Due to the popularity of dogs being brought in from abroad, all Veterinary Practices in the UK are being asked to be on the lookout for Brucellosis and set up protocols to protect owners, veterinary staff and our UK dog population from this disease. 

The following are Frequently Asked Questions and clarification of our protocol when registering and treating imported dogs and the risks they may pose.

My dog is imported from outside of the U.K, how do I know if they carry this disease? 

Do you have a certificate to say your dog has been tested for Brucella Canis? If not, and most haven’t, you won’t know without testing.

What is Brucella Canis? 
Brucella Canis is a contagious bacterial disease found in many parts of the world but, until recently, not in the UK. There is currently incurable.

I have other dogs at home from within the UK, are they at risk?

Yes, in the last year there have been a number of cases of Brucellosis diagnosed in dogs across the UK both in imported dogs and those in close contact with them. 

This infection can spread between dogs but also to humans and is now reportable to APHA (the government Animal and Plant Health Agency) under RIDDOR guidelines (Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013)

What are the symptoms in dogs? 

Unfortunately, many dogs carry Brucella Canis without showing any symptoms at all so, just because your imported dog is clinically well, or has been in the UK for years already, this does not mean there is no risk to yourself or others. 

Symptomatic dogs show a variety of illness ranging from lameness, back ache, enlarged lymph nodes and eye diseases to reproductive failures. 

What are the symptoms in people? 

In otherwise healthy people, the disease can be mild. In immunosuppressed people such as pregnant women or people undergoing chemotherapy, it can be more severe.

Symptoms include fluctuating high temperatures, enlarged lymph nodes, headaches and problems in pregnancy. 

How is Brucella Canis spread? 

Brucella Canis is spread by fluids from the infected dog e.g. birthing fluids, vaginal fluids (bitches in season), semen, urine, saliva and blood, coming in contact with the eyes, mouth, nose, wounds or other broken skin of the human or other dogs.    Hence mating, giving birth or when vets perform surgery are high risk times for the disease to spread. 

How is Brucella Canis diagnosed? 

Brucella Canis can be diagnosed by blood tests looking for antibodies to the disease.

Brucellosis antibodies can take up to three months to show up in an infected dog. Therefore, false negative results (when the test is negative but the dog actually does have the disease) can occur if the test is carried out within 3-4 months of the dog being in contact with an infected individual. 

Why is it so important to share this information? 
We, alongside other clinics in the UK, are implementing a Brucellosis testing protocol; 

1) Our receptionists will be asking clients, when they phone, if you own any imported dogs or any dogs that have lived abroad. Please be patient if you are asked this more than once. We are looking out, not just for the safety of our staff but, for the safety of you and our UK dog population as a whole. 

2) If you have a certificate indicating a negative Brucellosis test, we shall ask to see it (it can be brought in, sent by Petsapp, or emailed, whichever is easier). Remember, a negative test taken when your dog was still living in an infected country does not totally exclude the possibility of disease as it can take 3 months for antibodies to form. Therefore, we may ask to repeat this for confirmation regardless of a negative result.

3) If your dog does not have a reliable negative test result already, our vets will advise you to have your dog tested for Brucellosis. The blood will be sent to an external laboratory and takes 1-2wks for results. At the time of writing, the cost of this blood test is £160-200 depending on if you are a health club member.

4) The test is advisory, not compulsory, but if you are a new client wanting to come to us and choose NOT to have the test, we will NOT register you or your pets. 

If you are an existing client, we will have to wear PPE (mask, gloves, visor or other eye protection) every time we see you dog(s) and a cost will be added to all future consultation for this (currently £5). 

If your dog needs to be hospitalised, the intensive hospital charge will be charged as your dog will have to be in our isolation kennel and our rigorous infectious disease isolation protocol will have to be implemented.

What happens if my dog’s test is positive?

We expect nearly all patients to return negative tests. If your dog tests positive for Brucellosis, we have to report this to the Government via the Animal and Plant Health Agency following RIDDOR guidelines. The APHA will then contact you. 

There is currently NO TREATMENT that is likely to cure the disease (antibiotics can be used for months but rarely eliminate the disease so infected dogs can remain infectious and a risk to others, for life)

It is likely that APHA will, sadly, recommend your dog is euthanased. 

This is not compulsory, but we strongly agree that this is the safest thing to do for everyone. If you decide not to carry this out then treatment including months of antibiotics and neutering will be advised to reduce spread but, as above, this is unlikely to eliminate the disease and the surcharges above will be charged during any consultation or hospital stay. 

You will need to be mindful that most veterinary practices, referral centres and laboratories have individual policies not to take on patients who are Brucellosis Positive.

How common is this disease?

Despite increases in cases brought in by imported dogs, Brucellosis is still very rare in the UK. 

I want to import a dog or bring my dog to the UK from abroad, what should I do?

If you are looking at buying a dog from abroad, whether from a breeder or charity, please make sure they are tested for Brucella (as well as the other foreign diseases such as Leishmaniasis, Erlichia and Heartworm). 

By working together, we hope to stop this disease from increasing further in the UK and hopefully eradicate it again before it becomes endemic.

More details about Brucella canis can be found on the DEFRA website: 

http://apha.defra.gov.uk/documents/surveillance/diseases/Canine-Brucellosis-Summary-Final-260421.pdf 

Please contact us if you have any further questions