Brucellosis in dogs incubation period

Brucellosis in dogs is one of the most dangerous pathologies. Fortunately, it is not observed so often in pets. The risk group includes individuals who have had contact with wild foxes, rodents, as well as farm animals or products obtained from them (meat, milk). More often, brucellosis develops in sexually active adult dogs.

Causes and mechanism of infection

The causative agent of the infectious disease is the very small, non-spore-forming aerobic bacterium Brucella (Brucella canis). The strain is unusually resistant to external adverse factors and has an increased ability to penetrate the body. Harmful bacteria can be destroyed by boiling, treating with a disinfectant (a few minutes is enough), or pasteurization (at least half an hour).

The danger of brucellosis is that its consequences are extremely destructive for the animal’s body. Males develop infertility and orchitis. Bitches who are very susceptible to infection during pregnancy are at risk of spontaneous abortion from brucellosis.

Infection occurs during mating, but can also occur through contact of healthy pets with secretions from the mouth, nose, and genitals of infected individuals. Sometimes cases of infection by airborne droplets are reported.

Brucellosis is transmitted to offspring from a sick mother. Moreover, even if infection does not occur in utero, puppies will become infected during birth.

Symptoms of canine brucellosis

Brucellosis in dogs is characterized by a chronic course, often occurring in a hidden, latent form. After penetration into the body, brucella are transported through the bloodstream to the organs of the reticuloendothelial system, in which new foci of infection are formed with repeated release of bacteria into the blood, which becomes the cause of a general toxic infectious syndrome. From the bloodstream, Brucella enters the liver and central nervous system, and the musculoskeletal and genitourinary systems are most often affected. The immune reactions that develop during brucellosis in dogs do not provide sufficient bacteriological cleansing of the body. In addition, Brucella can transform into L-forms, which have minimal effects on immunocompetent cellular structures and can be resistant to antibacterial drugs.

With brucellosis in males, the organs of the reproductive system are most often affected, which can manifest as orchitis, epidymitis, which, as the disease progresses, lead to atrophy of the testes. In females, pathological discharge from the genitals, catarrhal, catarrhal-croupous endometritis is noted. In pregnant bitches in the seventh to tenth week, spontaneous abortions (miscarriages), the birth of still, non-viable puppies, and delayed placenta are possible.

Other symptoms and pathological manifestations in dogs are:

decreased physical activity;
deterioration of general condition;
remitting fever;
enlargement of regional lymph nodes;
digestive disorders, loss of appetite;
disturbances in the functioning of the liver (nephritis), liver.

When the musculoskeletal system is affected by Brucella, dogs are diagnosed with arthritis, unsteady gait, and partial lameness.

Clinical picture of brucellosis

The infectious period lasts several weeks. Then signs of the disease appear, and they are quite blurry, and therefore they are often confused with other pathologies.

Brucellosis, symptoms in dogs:

weakness, depression, general exhaustion;
severe enlargement of subcutaneous lymph nodes;
slight hyperthermia;
loss of libido;
greenish-brown discharge (in bitches);
decreased or complete lack of appetite;
weight deficiency;
joint damage - arthritis, bursitis (rare).

In some cases, infections affect the eyes, kidneys, brain, and intervertebral discs. Signs of brucellosis will indicate infection of these body systems.

Symptoms that directly indicate brucellosis in bitches are damage to the reproductive system: delayed estrus, infertility, infection of the uterus, which leads to the death of the offspring - the birth of still puppies or spontaneous abortion. Severe inflammation develops in the uterus, which leads to retention of the placenta after childbirth.

In male dogs, infections of the epididymis, epididymitis develop, and sperm quality decreases. When it is produced in the testicles, it continues to remain immature. In an infected male dog, you can observe an enlarged testicle, scrotum, scrotal dermatitis, and prostatitis. If brucellosis becomes chronic, the testicles become wrinkled and atrophy.

Infected dogs pose a danger to other animals for an average of 12 months. Males, even after treatment and recovery, can often remain carriers of the strain. After a spontaneous abortion, the female continues to spread bactericidal secretions for six months.

Prevention of brucellosis

Despite the fact that medicine has modern treatment methods, a vaccine against brucellosis has not yet been invented. The most effective preventive measures today are systematic examinations of pets in a veterinary clinic, cleanliness and timely disinfection of places where they are kept.

It is necessary to remember about personal protective equipment, and for safety reasons, do not purchase used toys, cages and tools intended for care.

Before mating, dogs of both sexes should be examined for brucellosis.

Animals kept in nurseries are subject to special maintenance requirements. If one of the bitches has a spontaneous abortion, the fetus is examined for Brucella.

Diagnosis and treatment of brucellosis

In order for a doctor to diagnose brucellosis, he needs to conduct a number of diagnostic tests:

bacterial culture on a bactericidal medium;
biological samples;
serological tests;
PCR studies;
agglutination - detection of antibodies to the pathogen.

If the examination results are not informative enough, the diagnosis is repeated after a month. Until this time, the animal is considered to respond positively.

During the examination, the doctor must exclude diseases in the dog that can also contribute to spontaneous abortion. These include: salmonellosis, chlamydia, canine plague and a number of other infectious and non-infectious diseases.

Treatment of brucellosis in sick dogs does not imply any specific regimen. But if recently infected animals were euthanized, today they are treated with antibiotics (if the disease was detected in the early stages). However, antibiotics, although they help control the infection, are not able to completely destroy it - from time to time the animal will spread the infection.

To prevent this phenomenon, dogs who have had brucellosis are recommended to be sterilized and removed from breeding to prevent transmission of the virus to their offspring.

There is no exact information regarding immunity after brucellosis. There are cases where the dog got sick again.

Treatment of brucellosis in dogs

With a confirmed diagnosis, the basis of treatment is the use of antibacterial agents. The duration of therapy and the frequency of drug use are prescribed by a veterinarian for each individual patient. To achieve a higher effect, several antibiotics from different series are often prescribed (fluoroquinolones, tetracyclines, penicillins).

Additional therapy is prescribed depending on the accompanying symptoms. For liver damage, hepatoprotectors (Karsil, Heptral) are used. Pathologies of the urinary system are supported with urological drugs.

Treating brucellosis in dogs with medication is problematic, since the bacterium that causes the disease lives inside the cell. Not all drugs can act at this level. In addition, some Brucella can persist in minimal quantities in internal organs. As soon as the pet’s immunity is weakened, bacteria begin to grow and the disease develops with renewed vigor.

It is recommended to castrate non-breeding animals. Thoroughbred individuals who have recovered from the disease are not allowed to be bred.

After therapy, a repeat analysis is carried out 2-4 weeks later to check the effectiveness of the drugs.

Is there a danger to humans?

Yes, and a very serious one, since brucellosis is a zoonotic infection and is transmitted from animals to people. Brucella canis can easily penetrate the human body even through intact skin. Even if there are no scratches or wounds on your hands, infection is quite possible. The bacterium affects the reproductive, cardiovascular, nervous and musculoskeletal systems.

A person may remain disabled for life and will not be able to have children in the future. Infection leads to the development of dangerous diseases such as meningitis, encephalitis, and arthritis.

At-risk groups include veterinarians, breeders and others who interact with the blood and secretions of pets. For an ordinary owner, the chance of contracting brucellosis from a dog is not so great.

However, for the purpose of prevention, it is necessary to follow safety rules, for example, if there is a suspicion that newborn puppies are infected with brucellosis, it is better to examine them using disposable gloves, and then wash your hands thoroughly with soap.

There is a danger of infection in people with reduced immunity, for example, after a long illness, so during this period, communication with your four-legged pet should be kept to a minimum.

Brucellosis is not curable and is very dangerous for people, and no method of protection can protect a person 100%. Therefore, you need to weigh the pros and cons as to whether it is worth the risk, especially if there are small children in the house. Sometimes euthanasia becomes the only right decision.

Hazard to humans and disease control

It should be remembered that there is no vaccine against brucellosis, and the pet itself is dangerous to humans, as it is a zoonotic infection that can be transmitted from animals. Penetrating into organs, parasites cause serious diseases such as meningitis and encephalitis. If the reproductive system is affected, a person may remain infertile.

Veterinarians or those who have direct contact with the animal's blood and secretions are particularly at risk of infection. In order to protect their own health, a person must follow certain preventive measures:

If you have a weakened immune system, avoid contact with an infected dog;
When interacting with newborn puppies or animals during mating, gloves should be worn;
Do not use used toys or care items without proper treatment.

An infected pet is dangerous for 12 months after infection. Immunity after an illness is unstable and lasts less than a year. Preventive measures are used to prevent infection. They are observed especially strictly when keeping animals in groups:

dogs placed in a kennel must be quarantined for 2-3 months, followed by testing for brucellosis;
raw meat is excluded from the diet, or fed only with full confidence in its safety;
deratization and disinsection are carried out - the destruction of insects and rodents that can be carriers of bacilli;
animals used for breeding are checked every 6 months;
If a pregnant bitch has a spontaneous abortion, the fetus must be examined for the presence of the causative agent of brucellosis.

If cases of infection are detected among a group of dogs, then the places of residence are sanitized. Disinfection methods:

20% freshly slaked lime;
2% formaldehyde;
2% sodium hydroxide solution.

There are also recommendations not to treat, but to euthanize infected pets due to the increased danger to other animals.

source

Brucellosis

Allergy

Arthritis

Encephalitis

7638 20 January

IMPORTANT!

The information in this section cannot be used for self-diagnosis and self-treatment.
In case of pain or other exacerbation of the disease, diagnostic tests should be prescribed only by the attending physician. To make a diagnosis and properly prescribe treatment, you should contact your doctor. Brucellosis: causes, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment methods.

Definition

Brucellosis is an infectious disease caused by bacteria of the genus
Brucella
.

These bacteria are highly resistant in the environment and can remain viable for a long time.

In Russia, the disease occurs in the southern regions where livestock farming is developed. Professions associated with an increased risk of contracting brucellosis are shepherds, milkmaids, veterinary and zootechnicians, employees of bacteriological laboratories, workers in meat processing plants, slaughterhouses and factories processing animal wool.

Causes of brucellosis

Brucella is transmitted to humans from sick animals, mainly goats and sheep.

Transmission of Brucella occurs through food (thermally untreated milk and dairy products, meat), direct contact with sick animals, as well as through inhalation of Brucella contained in dust in the habitats of sick animals and during cutting of their carcasses.

Brucella can penetrate the placenta, leading to intrauterine infection of the fetus, and can also be excreted in breast milk.

Transmission of Brucella from person to person is impossible by other means.

After entering the human body, Brucella intensively multiplies in lymphoid tissue.

Brucella can persist in the body for a long time and unnoticed by humans, causing a chronic course of infection.

Classification of the disease

Brucellosis can develop as a result of infection with various types of Brucella, for example,
Brucella melitensis, Brucella abortus
. There are certain features of the course of brucellosis caused by different types of pathogens, but these differences relate mainly to epidemiological aspects.

Depending on the duration of the disease, brucellosis can be acute, subacute and chronic. Separately, residual (residual) changes are distinguished that persist after recovery from infection and liberation of the body from the pathogen.

Symptoms of brucellosis

The first symptoms of the disease usually appear 1–6 weeks after infection.

More often, brucellosis begins subacutely - nonspecific symptoms occur, such as weakness, malaise, headache, joint and muscle pain.

The increase in temperature in the subacute period is insignificant, followed by a rise to higher values. Fever often has a wave-like course. In rare cases, enlargement of the lymph nodes is observed, and painful subcutaneous nodules are found.

Brucellosis is characterized by allergic manifestations on the skin (diffuse redness, rashes, etc.).

From the cardiovascular system, there is a decrease in blood pressure, an increase in heart rate, and the possible development of inflammatory processes in the heart. Damage to the respiratory system (bronchitis, pneumonia, etc.) may also occur.

Chronic brucellosis is characterized by damage to the musculoskeletal system, expressed by joint and muscle pain and limited joint mobility.

Damages to the nervous system are manifested by burning and tingling along the nerve fibers.

Diagnosis of brucellosis

Diagnosis of brucellosis consists of a thorough history taking and objective examination of the patient.

Laboratory methods used in the diagnosis of brucellosis include a clinical blood test with the determination of the leukocyte formula, in which signs of an inflammatory process in the body can be detected. However, this method does not provide identification of the pathogen. For this purpose, bacteriological, serological and molecular genetic methods are used.