Brucella canis
What is Brucella canis?
Brucella canis (often called B. canis) is a type of bacteria that can cause infection in dogs. It is endemic to some parts of the world, especially Eastern Europe, but is not thought to be widespread in the UK. However, dogs who have travelled or been imported from abroad can sometimes carry it.
All dogs imported from, or with a travel history to a high-risk region require testing before they can be treated at Willows.
Why does my dog need to be tested?
Because more dogs are now travelling from other countries, we’re seeing occasional cases of B. canis in the UK. Dogs can carry the infection without showing any signs of illness, so testing helps us make sure both your pet and our team stay safe. Testing also allows us to send samples to external laboratories when needed many labs require a negative B. canis test before accepting samples from dogs that have travelled abroad.
Can people catch Brucella canis?
Yes, B. canis can, in rare cases, infect people. The risk is very low, but it can be higher for people who are pregnant, have young children, or have weakened immune systems.
It’s mainly spread through close contact with infected body fluids (for example, during whelping or handling blood or urine).
What dogs do Willows test?
All dogs with a travel history to certain countries listed by the UK Health Security Agency unless in possession of a confirmed APHA negative test performed more than 3 months after latest exposure event (travel abroad).
What does the test involve?
- We take a small blood sample (about 1ml).
- The area on your dog’s neck may be gently clipped for access.
- Results are ready in about 20 minutes.
- For all routine cases the recommendation is that we submit a sample to the APHA lab for testing. These results can take up to two weeks and so we recommend the test is carried out by your primary care vet before you travel to Willows
What if the result is negative?
- Brucella is not common, and the vast majority of tests are negative.
- APHA test negative: your dog can continue with their treatment journey with us as normal.
- Lateral Flow Test Negative – the clinician will assess the overall risk in light of this encouraging result including whether additional testing would be advisable before undertaking certain procedures.
- The result will be added to their clinical record and will remain valid unless they risk exposure.
- An additional test will need to be performed if your dog is showing clinical signs that could be caused by an active Brucella canis
What if the test is positive?
If your dog’s test is positive:
- We’ll discuss this with you straight away.
- We always send a second sample to an external lab to confirm the result.
- Because B. canis can be passed to people and other animals, we’ll explain what precautions to take while waiting for the confirmation.
What happens if the positive result is confirmed?
- B. canis is a notifiable disease, which means vets must report confirmed cases to the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA).
- Public Health England (PHE) advises that positive dogs should not be walked in public or allowed contact with other dogs or people outside your household.
- You can find more information on the Government’s website: www.gov.uk.
Can my dog be treated or cured?
Unfortunately, there’s currently no reliable cure for B. canis. Treatment is rarely successful, and even if a dog seems better, they can still spread the infection. For this reason, euthanasia is often recommended to protect other dogs and people, though this is not legally required. We understand how difficult this is and will support you through every step and discussion.
Will Willows still care for my dog?
Yes, if your dog tests positive, we will still provide care where possible. However, we must take extra precautions to protect our staff and other patients. This may mean:
- Additional protective clothing and safety measures
- Extra costs for infection control
- Some treatments or procedures may not be available
Our team will explain all your options and help you make the best decision for your dog.
Dog Health Information
Find out more
To assist owners in understanding more about a health conditions that are specific to dogs we have put together a range of information sheets to talk you through some of the more common health concerns seen and treated by our General Practice Vets.
