Brucella Policy

Over the past few years, we have seen a marked increase in the number of dogs in the UK who have tested positive for Brucella canis. This is commonly seen in dogs that have been imported from countries where Brucella canis is endemic.

Dogs that are infected do not always show signs of ill health, but other can present with:

• Reproductive issues such as infertility or abortion
• Swelling and or discharge from the penis or vulva
• Lameness
• Neck or spinal pain
• Lethargy
• Uveitis – inflammation to the inside part of the eye
• Enlarged lymph nodes and fever

Brucella canis is spread through contact with bodily fluids including saliva, blood and urine. It is a zoonotic disease which means it can be spread from animals to humans. Due to its zoonotic nature, we are increasing our precautionary measures to protect our clients, their pets and our staff.

We are now requesting that all dogs that have been imported from or travelled to a high-risk country are tested for Brucella canis prior to any diagnostic tests or surgical procedures. We strongly recommend being proactive and arranging for your dog to be tested before the necessity arises. There will also be a chargeable Barrier Nursing PPE fee due to the protective equipment our staff will need to wear when blood testing your dog.

Testing is completed by sending a blood sample to Animal & Plant Health Agency (APHA), Test results can take 7-21 days. Test results will then be interpreted and reported by one of our Veterinary Surgeons.

We hope you understand the reasons behind our policy as the safety of all our staff and clients is paramount. If you would like more information, please contact us or visit; www.gov.uk/government/publications