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An infectious bacterial disease. The bacterial infection is highly contagious between canines, with an infection developing predominantly within their reproductive organs. Hence why the infection is most common amongst entire males and females. There are different species of Brucella which can infect sheep, cattle, pigs and deer to name a few. Canine brucellosis is most common in the UK through imported canines and originated from Canada and spread throughout the US.

Males: develop an infection in part of their testicle (epididymitis). This can present as an enlarged scrotum or testicle or a skin rash on/around the scrotum. This can cause the dog to become infertile.
Females: develop an infection in their uterus, causing them to become infertile. In some cases, they bitch can abort if she became infected within the later stages of pregnancy (45-55 days gestation) or give birth to still born young. Vaginal discharge will be persistent once infected.

Within the early stages of infection, enlarged lymph nodes are common. If the bacterium infects different bodily tissues, the clinical signs shown will be dependent on the bodily system affected.

Canine brucellosis is spread through genital secretions and small amounts of bacteria may be shed in the saliva and urine. When a bitch aborts due to the bacterium, she will continue to shed the bacteria through vaginal discharge for 4-6 weeks.

Diagnosis:
Blood test (rapid slide agglutination test) which can detect the bacteria 3-4 weeks post infection.
This test can be used to screen dogs, however false positives are common and any dog which has tested positive should have a further test: agar gel immunodiffusion test to identify if they are 12 weeks - 1 year post-infection.

Antibiotics are used for treatment post-infection, but there is no prevention prior to infection. Any dog that is infected should be considered infected for life.

Brucellosis is zoonotic and can therefore affect human health.

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Heart worm disease (dirofilariasis) caused by a blood borne parasite known as Dirofilaria Immitis.

The parasite requires the mosquitos as an intermediate host before it can complete its life cycle in the dog.

Adult heartworms are found in the heart, pulmonary artery and adjacent large blood vessels in infected dogs.

Clinical signs signs can take several years to develop:
Mild persistent cough
reluctant to exercise
fatigue after moderate activity
decreased appetite
weight loss
cyanotic MM
spitting blood
nose bleeding
Fluid in the Adbomen

Diagnostic techniques: Antigen detection test, echocardiography, blood tests and thorax xrays.

Treatment: Melarsomine dihydrochloride drug, antibiotic before and after treatment doxycycline to kill bacteria and young heartworms and reduce ling injury from the melarsomine. treatment can cause severe respiratory problems, several days of cage rest, oxygen therapy, anti-inflammatories and reduce blood clotting.

Preventitive treatments are available for heartworm.

Heartworm has been reported in most countries with semitropical or tropical climates including USA, Canada, Latin America and Southern Europe.

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Disease caused by protozoal parasites, transmitted through the bites of female phlebotomine sand flies. It is often zoonotic, and a high risk to humans. More common in dogs but can also affect cats, humans, horses, and other mammals.

Canine leishmaniosis is a major zoonosis endemic in >89 countries. It is prevalent in Europe, Africa, Asia, and South and Central America

Clinical signs: skin lesions, epistaxis (nose bleeding), ocular abnormalities, weight loss, lethargy, and other secondary findings due to the effects of the disease such as PUPD due to kidney disease, vomiting, colitis, lameness due to lesions.

Diagnosis: There are specific tests to detect leishmania such as ELISA tests, indirect immunofluorescence assays, and direct agglutination assays which work by detecting anti-leishmania antibodies. Often confirmed with a serum blood sample.

Treatment: Chemotherapeutic control. Treatment rarely provides a cure, as they can still remain as carriers, may relapse and may require a lifetime of treatment to manage the condition.

Prevention: insect repellents may reduce occurrence of sand fly bites, however a spot-on formulation of permethrin and imidacloprid have been shown to confer protection against sand fly bites.

Reference: Petersen, C. 2022. Leishmaniosis in Dogs. retrieved from: Leishmaniosis in Dogs - Generalized Conditions - MSD Veterinary Manual (msdvetmanual.com)

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It is a viral disease, with domestic dogs being the most responsible for transmission to both other animals and humans. It can however effect wild animals as well. It is commonly spread through bites, scratches and saliva. 40% of people who transmit rabies from dogs are under the age of 15. It is most commonly found in African and Asian countries.

Rabies virus is almost always fatal.
The first symptoms include lethargy, fever, vomiting, and anorexia.
Signs then progress including cranial nerve dysfunction, ataxia, weakness, seizures, difficulty breathing, excessive salivation, abnormal behaviour, aggression, and self-mutilation.

It can be prevented through vaccinations of both humans and dogs and can also be prevented through education of how it is spread.

For traveling abroad from the UK and returning, all dogs, cats and ferrets must be vaccinated against Rabies. If these rules are not followed, then the pet can be placed into isolation for 4 months or more upon entry back to the UK.

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After a dog ingests a Gulf Coast tick infected with H. americanum, the organism is released from within the tick and penetrates the wall of the dog’s intestine. From there, it is carried by blood or lymphatic vessels to the dog’s spleen, liver, lymph nodes, bone marrow, lungs, pancreas, and skeletal muscles. As it matures and begins to reproduce, the organism creates large cysts that can lead to significant inflammation at the site of infection. Dramatic muscle cysts, resulting in significant inflammation, are a common finding with this organism.

Most commonly occurs in Southern America.

Symptoms:
Appetite Loss
Weight Loss
Muscle Weakness and Pain
Lethargy
Reduced Mobility
Nasal Discharge
Enlarged Lymph Nodes
Renal Damage

Diagnosis:
Blood test and microscopic examination as the organism can be seen in the white blood cells of the patient.
Also can be identified with muscle biopsies.

Treatment:
Medical management can be done however there is no ‘cure’. Medical management involves often a combination of medication such as trimethoprim-sulfa, clindamycin, pyrimethamine and is often required for a minimum of 2 years.

Prevention:
As this occurs through ingestion, it is advised to not let your pet scavenge of hunt. As well as advised to keep upto date with recommended veterinary tic treatments.

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Prevention – tick control

Do not walk your dog on rough ground or forests animals with grazing animals.

Use a spot-on or a special collar should be used to repel ticks making them much less likely to attach to your dog.

Check your dog every day for ticks and use a tick remover tool to remove any ticks found as soon as possible.

Talk to your vet well before you intend to travel for advice about appropriate treatments such as spot on and collars

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Babesiosis caused by species of Babesia and is seen throughout Asia, Africa, Europe, the Middle East, and North America. It is a parasite of the blood causing anaemia due to the destruction of the red blood cells giving symptoms of pale mucus membranes, jaundice, weakness, fast breathing, red urine, collapse and occasionally death. The disease can come on suddenly and can be fatal affecting dogs 2 to 3 weeks after exposure to infected ticks, so it is essential to get prompt veterinary diagnosis and treatment. To become infected, ticks need to feed on the host for 24 to 48 hours. Prevention is based on avoiding ticks from biting your dog and removing them within 24 hours.