05/03/2026
What is Brucellosis (Brucella canis)?
Brucella canis is a bacterial infection that affects dogs. It primarily targets the reproductive system but can also cause musculoskeletal, neurological, and systemic disease.
It is endemic in parts of Europe, Asia, the Middle East, South America, and Eastern Europe, but until recently was considered rare in the UK. Increased importation of dogs, particularly rescue dogs, has led to a noticeable rise in UK cases.
How is Brucella canis spread?
The bacteria are shed in high numbers in bodily fluids, especially:
• Reproductive fluids (semen, vaginal discharge)
• Blood
• Urine
• Saliva
• Aborted material and placental tissue
Transmission can occur through:
• Mating
• Contact with infected fluids
• Broken skin or mucous membranes
• Contaminated environments (kennels, bedding, surfaces)
This means close-contact professions (vets, nurses, physios, hydrotherapists, kennel staff) are at higher risk of exposure.
Why is it such a concern in dogs?
1. It can cause serious, chronic disease
Brucella canis doesn’t just affect breeding dogs. It can cause:
• Chronic spinal pain
• Discospondylitis
• Lameness and joint inflammation
• Neurological signs
• Lethargy, fever, weight loss
• Persistent musculoskeletal discomfort
Many of these presentations overlap with conditions commonly seen in rehabilitation and physiotherapy settings, making it easy to miss.
2. Dogs can look “normal”
One of the biggest problems is that many infected dogs show no obvious signs, especially early on.
A dog may:
• Appear clinically well
• Have vague, intermittent pain
• Present months or even years after infection
This makes screening essential, as clinical signs alone are unreliable.
3. There is no guaranteed cure
Treatment is difficult because:
• Antibiotics may reduce symptoms but often do not fully eliminate the bacteria
• Dogs may remain lifelong carriers
• Relapse is common
• Ongoing monitoring is required
Management is often about risk control rather than cure.
Why is Brucella canis a human health concern?
Brucella canis is zoonotic, meaning it can infect humans.
In people, it can cause:
• Flu-like symptoms
• Fever
• Joint and muscle pain
• Fatigue
• In rare cases, more serious complications such as fertility issues and miscarriages
While infection in humans is uncommon, the risk is significantly higher for people who handle dogs regularly, especially without knowing the dog’s infection status.
This is why the disease is taken extremely seriously within clinical and rehabilitation environments.
Why is testing so important?
Because:
• Clinical signs are unreliable
• Dogs can be asymptomatic
• Risk cannot be assessed visually
👉 A blood test is currently the only reliable way to assess exposure and infection risk.
Testing allows clinics to:
• Protect staff and clients
• Protect other dogs
• Implement appropriate hygiene and handling protocols
• Make informed clinical decisions
Why imported and travelled dogs are higher risk
• Brucella canis is not routinely screened for prior to import or after travelling
• Prevalence is higher in many exporting countries
• Rescue dogs may have unknown breeding, medical, or exposure histories
• Stress and immunosuppression can allow latent infection to become active
Why policies like PawFit’s are necessary
In hands-on environments like physiotherapy and hydrotherapy:
• Dogs are handled closely and repeatedly
• Staff may be exposed to saliva, urine, blood, or broken skin
• Vulnerable patients attend the clinic daily
Requiring a negative Brucella canis blood test for imported or travelled dogs is a proportionate, evidence based infection control measure — similar to policies used in local veterinary practices and hospitals.
