Canine brucellosis is a disease of your dog's reproductive tract that can cause infertility. Also, the disease can cause infection of the sexual organs in male dogs and abortion in female dogs.
Transmission
Canine brucellosis is caused by a bacteria called Bruccella canis. This bacteria is commonly spread during mating when the dog comes into contact with semen or vaginal fluid. The bacteria that causes canine brucellosis can also be transmitted by contact with aborted puppies. This bacteria can also be transmitted to humans which will result in flu-like symptoms.
Symptoms
Many dogs with canine brucellosis don't show any symptoms. If there are any symptoms present, they will include swollen lymph nodes and lethargy. Females will usually abort their litter up to two months after breeding. Some of the puppies will die immediately after birth while other will be born dead.
In males, canine brucellosis causes symptoms such as infertility and inflammation of the sexual organs. The dog may also be hesitant to breed due to the pain. In some cases, canine brucellosis can cause damage to your dog's nervous system and kidneys.
Treatment
Unfortunately, canine brucellosis can prove difficult to treat effectively. Treatment includes medications such as Tetracycline, Streptomycin, and Minocycline. Even if your dog is treated successfully, he will likely be a lifelong carrier of the disease. This means that he can transmit it to other dogs if you try to breed him.
Prevention
There is no vaccine to protect your dog from canine brucellosis. The best way to prevent your dog from contracting the disease is to have all dogs tested before breeding. As mentioned earlier, the bacteria that causes canine brucellosis can also be transmitted to humans. Therefore, you should always wear gloves when handling infected dogs, especially aborted puppies. You also need to be careful when handling the dog's bodily fluids.
As your dog gets older, his risk for developing serious health conditions increases dramatically. As a responsible owner, you may want to learn about some of the common dog illnesses that can affect your dog. So stop by today to read all about conditions such as canine lung cancer .
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