Canine Brucellosis
To all of you who breed dogs, please be aware of canine brucellosis. With the scarcity of the Nihon Ken breeds in the US, even one case has the potential to be devastating to the entire breed or multiple breeds (if the infected dog's owner has more than one).
http://www.dogchannel.com/dog-magazines/dogsinreview/dogs-in-review-february-2011-health.aspx
Don't let the fear of it being reported stop you from testing your dogs. Its better to know and address the issue than to spread the disease. Even if its only your own dogs and you don't use outside studs, puppies that you place may be infected and spread to other dogs or humans.
Sexual contact is not the only way brucellosis spreads, and it would be wise for any new dog a breeder brings into their home - even foster dogs that aren't used for breeding - to be quarantined and tested.
http://www.dogchannel.com/dog-magazines/dogsinreview/dogs-in-review-february-2011-health.aspx
Brucellosis is a disease bandied about casually by many dog fanciers. Breeders recommend that all bitches have a negative Brucellosis test before any breedings, but often skimp on testing the stud dogs. It seems like such a routine problem. In reality, a diagnosis of brucellosis can be a kennel wipeout, not just the loss of an individual litter.
Brucella canis is an intracellular bacteria which means it can be difficult to treat — especially if your goal is a cure. Because the bacteria “hides” inside cells, it is tough for antibiotics to attack and kill it. In dogs, the bacteria tends to settle in reproductive and urinary organs. The most common signs seen in dogs are associated with reproductive failures. Bitches may abort, generally later in the pregnancy, at approximately seven to nine weeks. If puppies are born alive, they are often weak and die soon after. A few pups may live and those pups often develop brucellosis later.
After the abortion, the bitch will drain infectious fluid for up to six or eight weeks. Many bitches do not appear particularly ill themselves, but they may have enlarged lymph nodes, may act depressed and may have a decreased appetite. Weight loss and exercise intolerance may be noticed.
In males, the scrotum may be swollen and warm to the touch from inflammation. Some dogs will lick or chew at the area, causing a skin rash. Over time, the testicles may atrophy and some males will become sterile. The prostate often acts as a safe harbor for bacteria, leaving male dogs to shed brucellosis for long periods of time — sometimes even after neutering.
While the most common way of spreading brucellosis is through direct sexual contact, it can be spread via other methods. If the male is infected, using artificial insemination, either with fresh chilled or frozen semen, may infect the bitch. Most groups who freeze semen insist on a negative brucellosis before processing the sperm.
Infected bitches shed the bacteria in the fluids from their uteri and in urine. Males shed brucella in their semen and urine. Smaller amounts of the bacteria may be shed in fecal material, saliva and any discharges from the eyes and nose.
With the possibility of infection from sniffing brucellosis laden urine at any places where dogs may gather — shows, dog parks, etc., — it makes sense to test before any and every breeding.http://www.dogchannel.com/dog-magazines/dogsinreview/dogs-in-review-april-2011-health.aspx
Depending on your state, actions may be set in motion the minute a positive brucellosis result shows up. For example, in Georgia, any licensed facility will immediately be put into quarantine. All breeding dogs will need to be separated and screened with RSAT and then blood cultures. Alternatively, to minimize the time of quarantine, all suspected positive dogs can be euthanized.
Brucellosis is a reportable disease in all states for Brucella abortus, which is the cattle species of this disease. This is the species that is most likely to infect people. For many states reporting is simply required for “brucellosis” which means dog cases will also get reported. Quarantine may follow quickly -- for all the dogs in your kennel or household.
Treating a dog for brucellosis can be a long and expensive road. The best treatment combo was tetracycline and dihydrostreptomycin. Unfortunately dihydrostreptomycin is no longer available. Enrofloxacin and other antibiotics have been used. Antibiotic therapy must continue for least 30 days and often longer or be repeated. It is recommended that all positive dogs be spayed or neutered. As noted, even neutered males may still shed the organism due to prostate secretions. Euthanasia is routinely recommended for any proven positive dog.I know that in California, canine brucellosis is a reportable disease. My vet informed me she would have to report a positive result when she recommended testing Gojira and the stud for our first litter. However, the accuracy of the test is not very good and throws a lot of false positives; so if our dog tests positive, retest using another method.
Don't let the fear of it being reported stop you from testing your dogs. Its better to know and address the issue than to spread the disease. Even if its only your own dogs and you don't use outside studs, puppies that you place may be infected and spread to other dogs or humans.
Sexual contact is not the only way brucellosis spreads, and it would be wise for any new dog a breeder brings into their home - even foster dogs that aren't used for breeding - to be quarantined and tested.
Comments
Mine are tested before every breeding, mostly because my vet just does it as part of the exam when I bring both dogs in for a check-up prior to "doing the deed."
Jesse