Bacterial Growth and Semen Viability in Canine Semen Extenders Inoculated With Brucella canis

Brucella canis, the etiological agent of canine brucellosis, was first described in 1967 by Leland Carmicheal. Since that time several serologic tests have been developed to diagnose this disease in domestic canids. The surface antigens of this bacteria make many of serologic tests highly sensitive, but lacking in specificity. In addition to this, there is a substantial lag time between the initial exposure and infection to seroconversion or positive blood culture, during which these dogs can be contagious. Due to the dilemma of accurately diagnosing canine brucellosis in a timely manner, it is difficult to determine if the dogs and semen that the practitioners and owners are handling during semen collection, processing, shipment and artificial insemination are truly disease-free in the face of negative serologic test results. [...]