Brucella canis osteomyelitis in two dogs with total hip replacements.

Brucella canis was isolated from the cement or bone surrounding a hip prosthesis after total hip replacement was performed for treatment of hip dysplasia in 2 dogs. Lameness or signs of infection were not evident for 9 and 16 months after surgery. Osteomyelitis surrounding the prostheses was detected radiographically only after the lameness developed. The origin of the B canis infection in the 2 dogs was believed to be hematogenous because of the biologic behavior of this organism and because of the duration of excellent limb function after hip replacement. A slide agglutination test for B canis should be performed as a screening test on any canine total hip candidate when the anamnesis and physical examination indicate that the dog may have been exposed to or infected with B canis.