Recommendation for referral of dogs with a travel history
We strongly recommend that any dog that has been imported to the United Kingdom or has a travel history to countries where Brucella canis is endemic is tested prior to referral to SDR. This is particularly important for any dog that has clinical signs that could be associated with Brucella canis infection.
Clinical signs commonly reported include:
- Infertility (male and female)
- Abortion, ill-thrift puppies, peri-natal mortality
- Enlarged or shrunken testes/epididymis
- Lameness
- Spinal pain/discospondylitis
- Unexplained uveitis
- Fever
- Lymphadenomegaly
- Lethargy
We will be asking you to indicate on our referral form your knowledge about whether the dog has been imported, whether you are aware of a travel history for the dog, whether the dog has been tested for Brucella canis and the Brucella canis status where known.
Where concern is raised, we may require you to test the dog before we can accept the referral.
For dogs with a travel or importation history, we reserve the right to require testing at initial consultation where this has not already been performed. In this scenario, hospitalisation and investigation may be delayed. For those dogs, that have potential recent exposure and test negative, further testing after 3 months may be required.