Brucellosis Alert

Dalby Vet Clinicnear Toowoomba has had a dog return a positive test result to Brucellosis.

Brucellosis or Brucella suis is a highly infectious bacteria which is found in the feral pig population throughout Queensland and northern New South Wales. This bacteria can infect dogs which potentially can then spread the bacteria to humans. Brucellosis occurs worldwide and is one of the world’s major zoonotic pathogens

How does my dog become infected?

Feeding infected raw wild pig meat/ bones/ offal/ testicles to your dogs
Direct pig to dog contact through hunting infected pigs via bodily fluids

What signs might your dog be showing?

Some dogs infected with Brucellosis can remain bright and alert and show no signs of infection
You may notice a combination of the following signs;
Enlarged testicles
Abortion
Back pain
Limping/ lameness

How do we (humans) become infected?
•Via contact with infected tissue, blood, urine, saliva and other bodily fluids
•Via airborne bacteria ingestion or mucous membrane contact

What can we do to lower our risk?

Practice good hygiene measures such as;
Hand washing
Washing dogs after each hunt
Wearing gloves to administer first aid treatment to dogs if they are wounded
Wear appropriate protective clothing when coming in contact with potentially infected animals
Do not feed wild pig meat to dogs
Do not breed with dogs suspected to be infected with Brucellosis.

What precautions should we take around infected dogs?

•Keep infected dogs isolated away from others and avoid all unnecessary contact

•People who develop symptoms such as; fever, sweats, headaches, back pain or weakness should seek prompt medical advice and mention their exposure to the animal.

How is brucellosis diagnosed?

Your veterinarian will collect and submit samples for testing. Infected dogs may potentially spread the infection to humans and other animals. Infected dogs should be euthanased or treated with antibiotics AND desexed – there are no treatments that guarantee to cure infection in dogs. If you have any concerns please contact the clinic on