Brucellosis in Dogs and Cats

Brucellosis is a zoonotic infectious disease caused by Brucella. It is characterized by inflammation of reproductive organs, miscarriage, testicular swelling, infertility, etc. In dogs, Brucella infection is generally latent or only manifested as lymphadenitis. After an incubation period of two weeks to as long as half a year, systemic symptoms may appear. Pregnant female dogs often have miscarriages at 40-50 days of pregnancy. 1-6 weeks before miscarriage, sick dogs generally do not have a high body temperature. The labia and vaginal mucosa are red and swollen, and light brown or gray-green secretions flow out of the vagina. Miscarried fetuses often have partial tissue autolysis, subcutaneous edema, congestion, and subcutaneous hemorrhage in the abdomen. Some female dogs do not have miscarriages after being infected, but rather the embryos die early in pregnancy and are absorbed by the mother. Miscarried female dogs may develop endometritis and often become infertile after repeated matings. Male dogs may develop orchitis, testicular atrophy, epididymitis, prostatitis, and balanitis. In addition, in addition to reproductive system symptoms, sick dogs may also develop arthritis, tenosynovitis, and sometimes lameness. Some affected dogs are complicated with uveitis.