Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Signs that suggest Brucella canis infection in dogs
By Moeller, Courtney M et al.·Published in Journal of veterinary internal medicine·2025·School of Veterinary Medicine, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Clinical Features That Increase Suspicion of Brucella canis Infection in Dogs With Discospondylitis: A Multicenter Case-Control Study.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of 15 young dogs with discospondylitis (a spinal infection) was found to have Brucella canis, a bacteria that can cause serious health issues. These dogs were typically under 3 years old and showed specific signs that set them apart from other dogs with similar conditions. Notably, they had less likelihood of neurological problems and more involvement of multiple disc sites in their spine. Recognizing these signs early can help prevent the spread of the infection to humans. Treatment details weren't specified, but early diagnosis is crucial for managing this infection effectively.
People also search for: dog discospondylitis symptoms · Brucella canis infection treatment · young dog spinal infection signs
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Brucella canis is an important cause of discospondylitis in dogs, and brucellosis can be challenging to diagnose. Early recognition could aid in early implementation of precautions to limit zoonotic transmission. HYPOTHESIS/OBJECTIVES: To determine whether specific clinical features exist that differentiate Brucella canis infection from other causes of discospondylitis in dogs. ANIMALS: Fifteen dogs with Brucella canis discospondylitis (cases) and 25 dogs with non-Brucella discospondylitis (controls) evaluated between 2010 and 2021. METHODS: Multi-institutional retrospective case-control study. Clinical features in cases were compared to those in temporally matched controls using conditional logistic regression analysis. Neurologic examination findings and radiographic findings were documented by a board-certified neurologist and radiologist who were masked to group identity. RESULTS: No case had a history of being bred or kennel housing. Cases were younger (median, 2.6 years) than controls (median, 5.7 years) (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.66-1.00). There were no differences in sex or breed. Compared to controls, cases had a lower odds of neurologic deficits (odds ratio [OR] = 0.03; 95% CI 0.00-0.85), higher odds of C2-C5 involvement (OR = 13.0; 95% CI 1.6-106.7), and higher odds of multiple disc site involvement (OR = 12.0, 95% CI 1.5-95.8). They had a lower odds of neutrophilia (OR = 0.11, 95% CI 0.01-0.92), a higher median hematocrit (50.6% versus 43.7%; OR = 1.49, 95% CI 1.09-2.03), and a higher median lymphocyte count (1.8 × 1000/μL vs. 1.1 × 1000/μL; OR = 2.39, 95% CI 1.05-5.45). There was no difference in the radiographic appearance of lesions between groups. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Brucella canis infection should still be considered in cases of discospondylitis regardless of neuter status, sex, and breeding history. Clinical features exist that should increase suspicion for brucellosis.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40317976/