Pig Hunters be Aware
A recent spike in dogs testing positive to Brucella Suis in the Central West has brought about some concern for dog owners and clinic staff alike.
Brucella suis, or “Brucellosis”, is a bacterial infection carried by pigs that has the ability to infect dogs and people.
A recent government survey of feral pigs in the Central West showed 1 in 4 pigs tested were found to have been infected with Brucellosis.
It doesn’t take many organisms to lead to infection, making Brucellosis relatively easy to catch in the right circumstances.
Pig hunters and pig-dog owners need to display caution if handling pig carcasses. Dog owners should avoid feeding raw feral pig meat to their pets.
Brucella Suis can cause a disease that varies from the classic orchitis (swollen testicles). Meat or spinal abscesses, pus type infection in lungs or other body cavities, abortion in sows or vaginal discharge are all possible symptoms in pigs.
In dogs, the disease, in our experience, most commonly presents as extreme general soreness when moving around, most often due to infection sitting around the spine or a condition called discospondylitis.
Any hunting dog that is off food, feverish, stiff to move, reluctant to jump, has a shifting lameness, any abscesses or even females that are having trouble having pups or have a vaginal discharge could be shedding enough bacteria to infect their owners.
Blood testing can be conducted to determine if dogs have been exposed to the infection.
Whilst this disease is not new, the current number of cases is alarming. Its risk of spread to humans is real and has the potential to cause protracted illness in both animals and humans alike.
If you have concerns, please contact your GP for human health advice or the veterinary clinic for animal advice.
Are Mozzies driving you nuts - think about our four legged friends.
Read our suggestions for management this summer.
Swimming in too much info? Read our article on Veterinary Drug and Chemical Classifications.