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Brucella canis is a Gram-negative proteobacterium that causes brucellosis in dogs and other canids.
Brucellosis is a disease caused by Brucella canis, it is the most common bacteria that can infect bitches and their fetuses.
Brucella canis also poses a significant public health hazard since it is transmissible to humans, especially those handling aborted fetuses. Humans may develop a serious liver impairment or arthritis.
Transmission of the disease can be by ingestion of infected vaginal discharge after abortion or venereally by infected seminal fluids. The seminal fluids may remain infected for months. Pregnant bitches may abort after 30 days of gestation, but most abortions occur after 50 days. Testicular degeneration and epididymitis are the usual manifestations of the disease in male dogs. Affected dogs frequently lick the scrotal skin, producing severe ulceration. Persistent bacteremias are common in many dogs that show no signs of disease.
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