BSAVA Brucella canis Hub
Brucella canis is an infectious disease and an emerging issue for UK pets, owners and veterinary professionals. Given it is a zoonotic, it also has public health implications for the UK.
Since 2020, there has been a significant increase in the number of dogs in the UK diagnosed with Brucella canis, with most cases occurring in dogs from overseas, particularly eastern Europe.
This page brings together key resources on Brucella canis from the BSAVA and from government sources.
Brucella canis: risks and control measures in veterinary practices. (12th June 2025)
Guidance jointly produced by BSAVA Policy in collaboration with the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), APHA, and the Brucella Reference Unit on ‘Risks and Control Measures in Veterinary Practices for Brucella canis’. The Guidance provides information for small animal veterinary practices that can be used to help in the assessment of risks and implementation of control measures when controlling exposure of veterinary personnel to B.canis.
Brucella canis: BSAVA Scientific Information Document (SID) (Last updated June 2024)
BSAVA has produced key information for the veterinary profession covering the distribution, transmission, presentation, diagnosis and management of this disease, together with public health and legal implications. First published February 2023; last updated June 2024.
Joint BVA, BSAVA, SPVS and BVNA Policy Position on Brucella canis (Finalised December 2023)
A BVA, BSAVA, SPVS and BVNA joint policy position, which includes a suite of recommendations and resources around the diagnosis, testing and management of Brucella canis.
BSAVA news - Veterinary organisations issue joint policy position for vet teams on Brucella canis (January 2024)
A BSAVA news item on the launch of a joint BVA, BSAVA, SPVS and BVNA Policy Position on Brucella canis.
BSAVA news - Brucella canis: CVOs' letter to veterinary professionals (16 October 2023)
A BSAVA news item on the Chief Veterinary Officers' letter to veterinary professionals about Brucella canis.
Advice to veterinary surgeons on Brucella canis (16 October 2023)
Direct access to the letter from the UK, Scotland and Welsh Chief Veterinary Officers providing advice to veterinary surgeons on Brucella canis. (English version)
Cyngor i filfeddygon ar Brwsela canis (16 October 2023)
Direct access to the Welsh version of a letter from the UK, Scotland and Welsh Chief Veterinary Officers providing advice to veterinary surgeons on Brucella canis.
BSAVA news - Brucella canis: Government updates (11 October 2023)
A BSAVA news item covering Government updates about Brucella canis. It includes the following:
- A revised APHA Summary Information Sheet (SIS) on Brucella canis
- UKHSA Information for the Public, Breeders & Dog Owners
APHA summary information sheet (June 2025)
Direct access to the APHA summary information on canine brucellosis.
BSAVA news - Brucella canis: Government updates (22 September 2023)
A BSAVA news item covering Government updates about Brucella canis. It covers the following:
- The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) Report on behalf of the joint Human Animal Infections and Risk Surveillance (HAIRS) group on the current risk to the UK human population from Brucella canis.
- APHA Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on testing for Brucella canis which cover screening, diagnostics, serology and bacterial culture including how to submit samples for testing. The FAQs also cover reporting requirements and test interpretation.
HAIRS risk assessment (18 September 2023)
Direct access to the UKHSA’s Human Animal Infections and Risk Surveillance (HAIRS) group risk assessment for Brucella canis.
APHA Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on testing for Brucella canis (v5)
A series of FAQs covering sample collection, testing and dealing with positive results.
Government vets: Helping veterinary surgeons keep dogs and humans free from Brucella canis (15 November 2023)
Government Vets blog.
How to screen a dog with travel history (February 2022)
With the incidence of travelled dogs continuing to increase, Josh Kennils and Emi Barker, from Langford Vets, Bristol, offer guidance on which diseases to test for and how best to test for them. Published in Companion February 2022.
Imported diseases: brucellosis (March 2023)
A lecture by Hannah Walker and Paula Boyden at BSAVA Congress 2023 covering the biology and clinical signs of Brucella, testing, prognostic significance and zoonotic concerns.
IDEXX topic of the month: Canine brucellosis: what you need to know (November 2022)
A webinar by Yvonne McGrotty that discusses the clinical presentation, available diagnostic tests and treatment options for this emerging infectious disease. Produced by BSAVA Education Partner IDEXX.