Information for travelled dogs 

In the last few years, the number of dogs diagnosed with Brucella canis infection in the UK is increasing. Of those diagnosed, there is a higher proportion of cases in dogs that have come from or travelled to endemic countries outside of the UK.  Dogs that live with infected dogs or have been bred with infected dogs are also at risk of the infection.

Clinical signs seen in dogs are: 

• Reproductive issues – abortion (loss of pregnancy) and inflammation of the male reproductive tract (epididymitis, orchitis, prostatitis)
• Discospondylitis – inflammation of the spine
• Rarely joint inflammation (polyarthritis), inflammation of the eye (uveitis), lethargy, persistent high body temperature (pyrexia)
• Some dogs with long term infection have no clinical signs

Zoonotic (spread to humans): 

• Signs in humans are non-specific and flu-like
• Transmission is via exposure to bodily fluids, especially reproductive, but the overall risk is low
• Brucella is very difficult to treat in people in the chronic state.

Due to the incidence of Brucella canis infection in asymptomatic patients and the number of higher-risk procedures performed, such as cystocentesis, CSF, joint fluid sampling, and spinal and joint surgeries, we need to be aware of the clinical status of testing dogs that have travelled from high-risk countries before they are admitted to the hospital.  These include but are not limited to Eastern and Southern Europe (including Spain and Greece), East Asia, Africa and Central and South America.

The best tests are those performed at the Animal Health and Plant Agency (AHPA).  We are working with referring practices to preferably test your pet prior to coming for your appointment. These typically have a minimum 7 day turn around.

The tests we use in the clinic are not perfect and there is a risk of false positives (identifying the disease when it is not present) and false negatives (not identifying the disease when it is present).  The risk of a false negative is thought to be very low in dogs that do not have clinical signs.

If your dog has been previously tested at the AHPA a minimum of 3 months after returning to the U.K from a high-risk country, we will need to see the results before your appointment.

If your pet has travelled to a high-risk country within the previous 3 months, or has not been tested since returning more than 3 months previously we are able to perform tests in house.  These do not perform as well as the AHPA tests and there is a risk of false positives, which will impact on the way in which we manage your pet within the hospital and the investigations we will be able to perform until we have test results back from the AHPA.

If your pet is not unwell enough to warrant hospitalisation you may need to return at another time once external blood tests are available.

Unfortunately, if you refuse testing, we will not be able to admit your pet to the hospital for diagnostic procedures or surgery.

Referring Vets Only - How could you help us?

• Please test all dogs that have travelled to high-risk countries so that results are available prior to their referral appointment.
• Ensure that this information is clear for our client care team to avoid duplication of testing or unnecessary delays to care
• Submit serology to the APHA prior to referral – this can be done directly to the AHPA or via your normal external reference lab.
• • Please submit Slide agglutination test (SAT) TC1032 and indirect ELISA (iELISA) TC0116
  • These results take a minimum of 7 days as a routine but can be fast-tracked
  • Give us a call/email us if you have any further questions
• Educate owners about brucellosis, including the increased vigilance with an aim to reduce the risk to other pet owners and staff.

Brucella infections are notifiable to the APHA (Animal and Plant Health Agency)

Call Paragon Referrals on 01924 908333 or get in touch here.