What is brucellosis?
Brucellosis is an infectious disease caused by bacteria from the genus Brucella. There are various types of brucellas that infect sheep, goats, cattle, deer, elk, pigs, dogs and other animals.
Dog brucellosis is a contagious infection caused by a bacterium Brucella Canis. This bacterial infection is very contagious between dogs. Infected dogs usually develop infections. reproductive system, or sexually transmitted infections.
What are the symptoms of brucellosis?
Dog brucellosis usually causes reproductive problems such as infertility and miscarriage with some other clinical signs. The disease is most common in sexually full adult dogs.
Dogs infected with brucellosis develop epididymitis, infection of the epididymis. When semen is produced in the testicles, she is immature. Sperm matures in spiral segments seminal ducts, or appendages, where it is stored until ejaculation. Dog with a newly acquired infection often has an enlarged scrotum or an enlarged testicle and possibly scrotal dermatitis. Quality sperm will be bad. In chronic brucellosis, the testicles atrophy or become wrinkled.
Bitches infected with brucellosis develop an infection of the uterus, which may lead to infertility or pregnancy problems. Dog with brucellosis usually gives birth to stillborn or weak puppies, or terminates the pregnancy at 45-55 days.
In the early stages of brucellosis, the main symptom is swollen lymph nodes. Sometimes Brucella canis bacteria infect intervertebral discs, eyes, kidneys or the brain. If bacteria infect these tissues, then the symptoms will be associated with this infected body system.
How is brucellosis in dogs distributed?
A large number of Brucella bacteria spread through genital secretions of an infected dog. Less amount bacteria may be found in the dog’s urine or saliva. After abortion due to brucellosis, the bitch will continue distribute bacteria-infected excretions within 4-6 weeks after an abortion.
Dogs become infected with brucellosis through contact with infected liquids. The most common route of infection is oral (through licking urine or genital secretions), however dogs can also catch an infection through sexual contact and airborne droplets (when the dog sniffs urine or discharge), or through other mucous membranes such as eyes.
How is brucellosis diagnosed in dogs?
Infection is usually diagnosed with a blood test. FROM using the brucellosis test is usually detected in the blood after 8-12 weeks after infection.
What is the treatment for brucellosis in dogs?
Although antibiotics can successfully control infection, they can’t completely eradicate it, so any a brucellosis infected dog should be considered as infected throughout her life. Even if an acute infection will be treated with antibiotics, the dog can still spread bacteria periodically throughout the remainder of life.
Surgical sterilization of an infected dog reduces spread of the disease in the environment, thereby reducing risk of contracting other dogs.
How to control brucellosis?
Brucellosis in dogs is a fairly rare disease. By however, the infection poses a serious threat to breeding dogs, therefore all animals that are used in breeding purposes, should be checked every 3-6 months. New dogs that appeared in the nursery recently, must live in quarantine for 8-12 weeks, then they should also be checked for brucellosis.
In the USA, for example, brucellosis is a registered disease, which means that the disease is important for protection public health, and veterinarians and doctors are required Report all cases of detection to the appropriate authorities.
Is there a risk of contracting human brucellosis from an infected person dogs?
Brucellosis is a zoonotic infection, which means that it can be transmitted from animals to humans. Although people can get infected by contact with infected animals or with contaminated animal objects such as milk or meat, but this is extremely rare for brucellosis transmitted from dog to person.
Breeders and veterinarians who deal with blood and others secretions from infected animals at increased risk infection by infection. Owners of animals are not at risk, since they do not come into contact with blood or genital secretions dogs. However, people with a weakened immune system should avoid contact with a dog who is diagnosed with brucellosis.
People who come in contact with dogs when breeding, with newborn puppies or with aborted fetuses should use caution and strict sanitation rules. Every time, whenever possible, wear disposable gloves before work with newborn puppies. After removing disposable gloves wash hands thoroughly with soap and water.
