Brucella canis (B. canis) is a bacterial infection of dogs that can cause reproductive abnormalities, lymph node enlargement, lameness, and pain due to inflammation of the discs within the spinal column.
Your dog's B. canis infection will affect them for the rest of their life, often with devastating health complications. In some instances, dogs do not display symptoms but can still spread the infection to humans and other dogs. Your veterinarian is required to report the infection to the Colorado State Veterinarian's Office.
This news can be distressing and overwhelming for you and your family. However, resources and support systems are available to help you navigate this challenging time and provide the reassurance and comfort you need.
Download the Guidance for Owners of Infected Dogs as a PDF or read the Q&A for Dog Owners.
Key considerations of B. canis infection
Euthanasia of B. canis-positive dogs is the recommended treatment.
B. canis infection in dogs is lifelong with devastating health complications.
An alternative to euthanasia is neutering, lifelong isolation, and long-term treatment with medically important antibiotics; antibiotic therapy may have variable results for symptom control and is not curative.
Importantly, this disease can spread to humans.
The risks of B. canis infection in humans are not fully understood, diagnosis is difficult, and the Centers for Disease Control estimates that the disease is underdiagnosed. It is important for medical providers to know that routine tests for Brucellosis in people will not detect an infection with B. canis.
Owners are encouraged to alert their healthcare provider of exposure to infected dogs and refer to the National Association of State Public Health Veterinarians B. canis Summary Document, “Public Health Implications of Brucella canis Infections in Humans.”
Please contact CDA Animal Health Division at 303.869.9130 or animalhealth@state.co.us for more information. For any human health questions please reach out to the CDPHE Zoonoses team at cdphe_zoonoses@state.co.us or 303.692.2700.
Recommendations to minimize B. canis transmission
It is the owner’s responsibility to minimize disease spread and clearly disclose B. canis infection to any potential contacts. Failure to disclose a diagnosis of B. canis infection and ignoring the recommendations above increases the risk of the disease spreading to other pets and people.
- Spay/neuter B. canis infected dog.
- Restrict the dog’s interaction with immunocompromised people and children.
- Minimize the dog’s contact with people and dogs as much as possible.
- Avoid contact with the dog’s bodily fluids including saliva, urine, feces, and reproductive fluids.
- Should the dog switch owners, veterinary care, and/or move from Colorado, the owner has an obligation to disclose the B. canis diagnosis to the new owner, new veterinary clinic, and/or new state animal health officials.
- Clean up pet waste appropriately and promptly. Wear gloves while cleaning up pet waste and wash your hands with soap and water afterwards.
- B. canis is relatively short-lived outside the body and is readily inactivated by common disinfectants as well as by sunlight.
- However, B. canis is stable in the environment in the presence of organic debris for up to two months. B. canis can withstand drying in the presence of organic debris, can withstand freezing, and can survive in water, dust, and soil. The combination of organic debris, high humidity, low temperatures, and little or no sunlight favors survival of the bacteria.
- Disinfectant is required to remain wet on the surface for the required contact time to be effective against the bacteria.
- Avoid taking infected dogs to public areas where they would have significant contact with other dogs (e.g., dog parks, dog-grooming facilities, doggie daycare or boarding facilities, walking trails, etc.).