In a female dog with a positive Brucella slide agglutination test, what is the recommended next step?

• A. Vaccination
• B. Euthanasia
• C. Spay
• D. Antibiotics

Answer: (C)

Brucella canis infection in a female dog is best controlled by removing the source of infection in the reproductive tract. Spaying eliminates the ovaries and uterus, which are major sites where Brucella can persist and be shed. By removing this reservoir, the risk of transmission to other dogs (and to humans) is greatly reduced, and the dog is no longer able to reproduce, which also prevents future abortion and fertility problems. Antibiotics alone often fail to eradicate the organism because it can persist intracellularly and relapse is common, so removing the reproductive organs is the most effective way to stop shedding. After spaying, ongoing monitoring is still important, and the dog should not be used for breeding. Vaccination isn’t available for Brucella in dogs, and euthanasia is reserved for specific contexts rather than as a routine response to a positive test.