Canine Brucellosis

What is Brucella canis? 

Brucella canis is an emerging, zoonotic, bacterial infection in the UK. A zoonotic disease is one that can be transmitted from animals to humans, meaning infected dogs have the potential to pass the infection to people. Prior to 2020, Brucella canis was rarely diagnosed in the UK. However, the substantial increase in the number of dogs imported from overseas has led to a marked rise in cases. In 2025 alone, more than 400 dogs in the UK were diagnosed with Brucella canis. Many infected dogs show no signs of illness, which means the infection can go unnoticed without specific testing. 

Why is Brucella canis important? 

There are two main reasons why we take Brucella canis seriously. 

• Firstly, as mentioned above, Brucella canis is a zoonotic infection, which means that dogs can infect humans. Although infection in people is uncommon, it can cause serious illness. Veterinary professionals are recognised as being at increased risk due to their close contact with dogs and exposure to bodily fluids during examinations, procedures and surgery. It is therefore important that we identify dogs carrying the infection so that appropriate precautions can be taken to protect veterinary staff, pet owners and the wider community. 

• Secondly, Brucella canis is very difficult, and in many cases impossible, to eliminate completely. As a result, infected dogs are generally considered lifelong carriers of the bacteria. This means they may continue to act as a source of infection for other dogs and people, making early identification and responsible management particularly important. 

What are the signs of Brucella canis infection in dogs? 

Many dogs with Brucella canis appear completely healthy. When signs do occur, they can vary and may include: 

• Back pain or spinal infections 

• Joint pain or lameness 

• Enlarged lymph nodes 

• Reproductive problems, including infertility 

• Vaginal or preputial discharge 

• Pregnancy loss or complications 

These signs can also be caused by many other conditions, so testing is required to confirm whether Brucella canis is present is very important.  

Why does Davies Veterinary Specialists screen some dogs? 

At Davies Veterinary Specialists, we take the potential risk of Brucella canis seriously due to the risk it may pose to our staff, our clients and their families, as well as other dogs in our care. 

Knowing whether a dog may be carrying Brucella canis allows us to assess any risks appropriately and ensure suitable infection control measures are in place. This helps us provide the safest possible environment for everyone involved in your dog’s care. 

For this reason, we will recommend Brucella canis screening for dogs that have travelled from, lived in, or been imported from certain parts of the world where the infection is known to be present, or where other risk factors have been identified. 

How is testing performed? 

Initial screening is usually carried out using a simple blood test. If the screening test is positive, further testing may be recommended through a specialist laboratory to confirm the result. 

Your clinician will discuss the testing process and any next steps with you. 

What happens if my dog’s test is positive? 

A positive result does not necessarily mean your dog is unwell, many dogs with Brucella canis show no signs of illness. 

If a positive result is confirmed, your veterinary team will discuss what this means for your dog, your household and any other dogs that may have been in contact with them. Current guidance and recommendations continue to evolve as we learn more about the disease. 

Our approach 

Davies Veterinary Specialists takes a balanced and evidence-based approach to Brucella canis. Screening helps us continue to provide the safest possible environment for our patients, clients and colleagues while ensuring that owners receive clear information and support throughout the process. 

If you have any questions about Brucella canis or the testing process, please speak to the clinician responsible for your dog’s care.