Another foreign rescue infected with Brucella canis

[skinnydipper]

Posted on Facebook by Colin Stephen Spencer. 13.1.22

This is Jesse, some of you knew him some of you didn't. Rescued in November 2019 from Caki's dog rescue with "full backup".
Jesse settled quickly and relished life as a family dog, enjoying the school run, long walks and days out. He was extremely sociable and his fan club included the postman, binmen, delivery drivers, school children and parents. While walking he quite simply had to say hello to everyone. Anyone who doesn't like dogs was seen as a personal conquest to convert to full dog lover by Jesse.
Once Jesse was 18 months old we noticed that he would yelp in pain sometimes when touched and then sit down, he then became ill with a fever and stopped eating. Off we went to the vets, antibiotics and painkillers as well as an appointment for manipulation and X rays, while anaesthetised we decided to castrate him. The vet called a few days later to say she would get a second opinion from an orthopaedic vet. Then called later that week to say that Jesse had discospondylitis or changes in one of the disc spaces in his spine. More antibiotics and pain killers as well as a discussion about treatment.
Conservative treatment was decided appropriate at this time. All was well for a few months but then symptoms returned, bloods were taken and sent away.
The vets called me the day before Christmas eve and as I was greeted with Mr Spencer I knew that this would be a difficult conversation
I'm afraid that Jesse has brucella canis.
Oh at least we know what's wrong.
I'm afraid it's serious I have had to report it to defra and you must stop Jesse from socialising with dogs and people as well as inform any owners of dogs that Jesse socialises with so that they can be tested. I must tell you that ideally Jesse will need to be euthanised.
Boom, I spoke with Alison and Lilly to explain how grave it was, we cried in the kitchen. Off I went to inform Jesse's 3 buddies before curtailing Christmas plans and starting research into brucella canis. None of it was good reading. Acting like an STD in dogs it can be spread through bodily fluids especially sperm or birthing fluid but also blood and saliva.
The vet informed me that it could also be passed to humans, that I should seek advice on getting ourselves tested and that herself and her assisting nurse required testing.
I informed Caki's dog rescue to be told by Jayne Hobbs that it wasn't known about in 2019 (first case 1968). And that it was my fault that the vets were put at risk because I decided to castrate Jesse!
Erm I have a contract of adoption requiring that I have him castrated.
What insurance does the rescue have?
None, Diane Baker will be dealing with it.
Well it's been 3 weeks and I have heard nothing.
Also despite adopting Jesse, facilitating my friend adopting a dog, sending drugs to help and supporting fundraising efforts Fahrudin Caki Bravo hasn't bothered with a simple message let alone any practical offers of help regarding not only Jesse's mounting bills (nearly £2000) but also the £450 for testing the other dogs that he may have infected or any reassurance that future imports will be tested or that current owners of Caki's dogs will be informed, especially Jesse's 3 siblings who almost certainly carry the infection.
Between Christmas and New year the vet and I researched and got advice, again none of it was good and ultimately we decided that Jesse couldn't live with the restrictions and most definitely couldn't be in pain.
I had a long tough talk with Alison and Lilly and we agreed that we had to let him go. We cried again.
After school today we took Jesse as a family to the vets, we sat on the floor with him, fed him treats, cuddled, stroked and reassured him and slowly let him fall asleep.
We came home without him and the house is empty, goodbye buddy.
This disease is not endemic in the UK and it doesn't need to be, there is clear government advice to test dogs before import or breeding. Advice that some rescues follow....
Please if you are going to get a rescue from another country demand a negative brucella canis test and be prepared to repeat the test in 3 months if this is not forthcoming go to someone else.
It is too late for Jesse. However his legacy so far is that his vets have clear robust policies in place to protect themselves and others from possibly infected dogs from abroad.
And I hope that this post manages to inform and then ultimately stop one family from going through what we went through today, with that in mind please feel free to share.
If you import dogs then do the right thing, improve your health checks and test for brucella canis.
For my medical colleagues:- brucella canis exposure may result in human infection.
Symptoms are non specific but may include intermittent fever, chills, malaise, splenomegaly as well as peripheral lymphadenopathy.
The incubation period is weeks to years and symptoms may present suddenly or gradually and may be recurrent or persistent.
Children under 5 and immunocompromised patients may be most at risk and infection of pregnant women may cause adverse pregnancy outcomes.
So may be worth discussing pets, especially breeding or birthing dogs as well as repeated or prolonged exposure, (vets, vet nurses, kennel workers, rescue staff).
Blood cultures with brucella canis label and a referral to microbiology possibly?
Brucella Canis Guidance and Support
https://www.gov.uk/.../hairs-risk-statement-brucella-canis

 

[MotherOfChickens]

Gah, poor family and poor pup. These rescues make me cross that they are so wilfully ignorant and not being totally transparen.

 

[[135546]]

Awful awful awful

 

[MurphysMinder]

So sad, and I suspect there will be many more. So many of these foreign rescues are totally unscrupulous and I believe are just in it for the money. I have friends who foster for a well know UK charity and they have had several pups that have been seized at the border with incorrect paperwork, I dread to think how many more weren't stopped, I'm just waiting for the day when we rabies reaches our shores again .

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

I really don't know why people insist on 'rescuing' from abroad when there are plenty of dogs here looking for a home. Although I do understand that many organisations don't help themselves.

 

[skinnydipper]

I've shared this link before but folk may have missed it.

Of particular interest if you have, or are thinking of adopting, a foreign rescue.

https://www.facebook.com/watch/live/?ref=watch_permalink&v=534991827888386

 

[Clodagh]

It so awful. They must have loved him so much.

 

[Moobli]

That’s so incredibly sad ?

 

[TheOldTrout]

Poor family and poor dog. What awful people at the 'rescue'.

 

[twiggy2]

How very sad

 

[Firefly9410]

Rescue dogs from abroad should be banned. We have enough unwanted animals already in the country we do not need to be bringing in from another country. People are cheapskates. They do not meet the criteria for a UK rescue dog and they will not pay for a breed so they get a foreign rescue because it is cheaper and less hoops to jump through, then they wonder why things like this happen. Lovely they told the owners of his main buddies but what about all the other dogs and people their dog licked? Obviously it is too many and random strangers who they do not know too. These owners have done their best and I am sorry for them and their dog.

The government needs to ban rescue imports. UK people are used to UK standards, they do not realise other countries do not always share the same standards. People blindly trust where they should not and it does not occur to them that they cannot trust the standards are ok.

 

[skinnydipper]

I think the main problem is that Joe Bloggs will not have heard of Brucella canis. If they have, they may not realise how transmissible it is or the implications for their dog if it were to become infected - effectively house arrest. It should not have contact with other dogs or go to places used by other dogs.

Brucella canis can be shed in bodily fluids including blood, saliva and urine.

One of the ways a dog can become infected is through inhalation and we all know how dogs like to sniff.

Dogs are considered infected for life as they can continue to shed, even following antimicrobial treatment.

There have already been cases of within-UK transmission.

Here is some further information:

http://apha.defra.gov.uk/documents/surveillance/diseases/Canine-Brucellosis-Summary-Final-260421.pdf

 

[AmyMay]

Rescue dogs from abroad should be banned. We have enough unwanted animals already in the country we do not need to be bringing in from another country. People are cheapskates. They do not meet the criteria for a UK rescue dog and they will not pay for a breed so they get a foreign rescue because it is cheaper and less hoops to jump through, then they wonder why things like this happen. Lovely they told the owners of his main buddies but what about all the other dogs and people their dog licked? Obviously it is too many and random strangers who they do not know too. These owners have done their best and I am sorry for them and their dog.

The government needs to ban rescue imports. UK people are used to UK standards, they do not realise other countries do not always share the same standards. People blindly trust where they should not and it does not occur to them that they cannot trust the standards are ok.

Whilst I don’t disagree with you in principle, the cheapskate statement is pretty incorrect. It can cost £100’s to get a foreign rescue - far more than adopting from the UK.

There are many reasons people look abroad for getting their dog. Money is almost never one of those reasons.

 

[MurphysMinder]

Whilst I don’t disagree with you in principle, the cheapskate statement is pretty incorrect. It can cost £100’s to get a foreign rescue - far more than adopting from the UK.

There are many reasons people look abroad for getting their dog. Money is almost never one of those reasons.

This isn't always the case , I have heard of people getting foreign rescues for around £300, which makes you wonder how many corners are being cut.

 

[skinnydipper]

Those of you who work with dogs - groomers, dog care and so on, do you ask to see the health test certificates of imported dogs? Would you know if the dog imported from Eastern Europe that you care for has been tested for Brucellosis?

Owners on the forum. Do you know whether the dog you have adopted from Eastern Europe has been tested for Brucella canis?

 

[AmyMay]

Those of you who work with dogs - groomers, dog care and so on, do you ask to see the health test certificates of imported dogs? Would you know if the dog imported from Eastern Europe that you care for has been tested for Brucellosis?

Owners on the forum. Do you know whether the dog you have adopted from Eastern Europe has been tested for Brucella canis?

That’s a really good question.

 

[Firefly9410]

Whilst I don’t disagree with you in principle, the cheapskate statement is pretty incorrect. It can cost £100’s to get a foreign rescue - far more than adopting from the UK.

There are many reasons people look abroad for getting their dog. Money is almost never one of those reasons.

And far cheaper than purchase a breed from the UK in many instances, which is the point I was making. UK rescues being very strict with the criteria for adoption and many people not being eligible. Lots go for the cheapest option.

 

[AmyMay]

And far cheaper than purchase a breed from the UK in many instances, which is the point I was making. UK rescues being very strict with the criteria for adoption and many people not being eligible. Lots go for the cheapest option.

People opt to get a rescue dog for the very reason of getting a rescue, not buying from a breeder.

 

[MissTyc]

People opt to get a rescue dog for the very reason of getting a rescue, not buying from a breeder.

This.

You can get a cheap UK puppy from Gumtree any day of the week. There is a litter advertised locally. "JackChi", they were £800 at 8 weeks, now two unsold are down to £500 at 13 weeks. That's about what it costs to import a dog in these Brexit days!

 

[maisie06]

I really don't know why people insist on 'rescuing' from abroad when there are plenty of dogs here looking for a home. Although I do understand that many organisations don't help themselves.

Because UK rescue centres make it damn nigh impossible to rescue a dog unless you are very active, retired, don't dare work, have £££££'s in the bank and leave them your house in your will.

 

[The Xmas Furry]

Those of you who work with dogs - groomers, dog care and so on, do you ask to see the health test certificates of imported dogs? Would you know if the dog imported from Eastern Europe that you care for has been tested for Brucellosis?

Owners on the forum. Do you know whether the dog you have adopted from Eastern Europe has been tested for Brucella canis?

A very good question.

The groomer I use wont take on any dog unless there is proof of routine vaccs (she boards as well). Interestingly, she will not board or groom any foreign imports (most owners proudly reel it off to start with anyway).
She's not taken on new clients in ages for grooming, its damned hard to get on her list!

 

[Gloi]

I totally agree with banning the import of foreign rescues. Who can believe the stories they spin anyway. How many Eastern European dogs are simply bred to make money selling as rescues ?

 

[skinnydipper]

It is the disease aspect that concerns me and the fact that rescue organisations are not honest with the adopters

They will say, for instance, that the dog has been tested for leishmaniasis, but fail to say that a negative test at the time of adoption means nothing. That the dog could test negative for years and then the disease raise its ugly head 7 years later.

At least with leishmaniasis there is less likelihood of dog to dog transmission or infecting a human. Not so with Brucella canis, when a dog could be infected simply by playing with an infected dog (and who knows which they are?). It is also zoonotic and could make people very ill.

 

[Caol Ila]

If UK rescues made it feasable for normal working people to adopt a dog, I doubt there would be so many foreign rescues. One friend was turned down because she lives alone and works full time as a doctor. She has a trusted dog walker, but nope. Another friend, a vet student, was turned down because she was a student. A fellow livery was turned down because she was over 60. All three were experienced dog owners.

So if you're too young, too old, too single, and have a day job, you're not eligible.

None of these people wanted to drop a grand or three on a purebred puppy, which seems to be the going rate.

 

[skinnydipper]

I think people are getting a little over excited about the wrong 2 words so let's try to refocus.

Forget "Rescue Dog"

Try "Brucella canis"

I have some suggestions, feel free to add to them.

1. All dogs to undergo mandatory testing before importation. Dogs with positive serology to be refused entry.

That is ALL dogs to be tested, whether it be a stud dog, rescue dog or some poor docked and cropped Dobermann from Serbia.

2. Imported dogs already in the UK. Serology test to be arranged by the vet the dog is registered with in the UK. If positive, then further tests to be undertaken to confirm diagnosis.

3. Facilities for dogs - dog care, groomers, training clubs, etc, to ask for proof of negative test - I don't know how feasible that is but presumably they already ask to see proof of vaccination.

For those that do not "know" me on the forum. I had a houseful of rescue dogs - I have one now. I have no problem with rescue dogs.

What I do have a problem with is dogs carrying disease into the UK. Diseases which are not prevalent here.

Neither Brucellosis nor Leishmaniasis will be cheap to treat, neither can be "cured", and it isn't hard to see the heartbreak of the family of a dog diagnosed with Brucellosis. We should be doing what we can to make sure these diseases do not gain a foothold here.

 

[druid]

Those of you who work with dogs - groomers, dog care and so on, do you ask to see the health test certificates of imported dogs? Would you know if the dog imported from Eastern Europe that you care for has been tested for Brucellosis?

Yep - if it's an import they get asked and I won't do any repro work on dogs that are untested.

 

[Birker2020]

I really don't know why people insist on 'rescuing' from abroad when there are plenty of dogs here looking for a home. Although I do understand that many organisations don't help themselves.

Probably because its almost impossible to rescue a dog these days with the amount of paperwork that one has to go through, I know from my friends Mum and Dad's dreadful experience. In the end they had to adopt from abroad.

 

[AmyMay]

Probably because its almost impossible to rescue a dog these days with the amount of paperwork that one has to go through, I know from my friends Mum and Dad's dreadful experience. In the end they had to adopt from abroad.

There are still plenty of smaller rescues nationwide that are a bit more realistic about peoples circumstances.

 

[CorvusCorax]

My Mum got a dog relatively easy from a smaller private rescue. Even the private rescues get a tonne of bouncebacks, I can sorta see why they are cautious. A rescue which rehomes a dog to someone with an unsecure garden, the dog gets out and bites someone, the rescue is partially liable, surely?
And judging by some of the posts on the forum, the aftercare/back-up from some of the foreign rescue places is not excellent.
Apart from disease control, I repeat again that transporting some of these dogs, many of which have never been indoors and have been feral for generations, across land and sea in a cage in a vehicle and then expecting them to fit seamlessly into a pet home, is nothing short of cruelty IMO. That type of travel is stressful for the most well-adjusted dog.
A lot of these places are expecting novice or first time dog owners to be able to cope with a dog which has experienced trauma that even an experienced owner would have difficulty rehabbing and that isn't fair on anyone, let alone the dog.

 

[Odyssey]

The big rescues are difficult to adopt from, but the independent local ones are usually a lot more flexible. There are 3 small rescues within about 10 miles of me, and the same number of greyhound rehoming kennels which all have realistic rehoming policies, so unless you live in the back of beyond it is possible to get a rescue dog if you're not considered to be the perfect owner by some rehoming centres.

I know that greyhounds aren't everyone's cup of tea or suitable for all lifestyles, but they really are the most gorgeous, sweet and usually undemanding of dogs with great personalities. I now have my 5th, and can't imagine having another breed. Their prey drive (which isn't strong in all of them) and their size are their only real drawbacks imo. They're generally very healthy, and if you don't want to walk for miles a day most are quite happy with less than an hours exercise a day. Sorry, couldn't miss the chance of giving this much underrated breed a plug!