What are the chances of Brucellosis?

[CarolT]

Got a pbp that I was going to slaughter but the dogs got out, busted into her pen and chewed her up pretty bad, so I had to let her heal up. Had a miscarriage right after that, so she was pregnant when we got her. She wouldn't gain weight for a long time (4 months), looked mangy, etc. Finally got to looking good. Got to feeling sorry for her so let the pb boar in with her. She miscarried again about 2 or 3 weeks ago and is back in season again.

I have about decided to just get rid of her, but don't want to have anybody else exposed if it's brucellosis and some things I read say it's unlikely to be but can't find another reason for her losing this second litter.

[HardBall]

What state do you live in?

[Rogo]

The top of her post says she's in Alabama.

[highlands]

Brucellosis is an issue in the southern states. See:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swine_brucellosis

Also see this article about vaccination which does _not_ mention Brucellosis.

http://www.aces.edu/pubs/docs/A/ANR-0902/ANR-0902.pdf

If the pig has it you may not be able to get it slaughtered and may not want to have it slaughtered. It is transmissible to humans.

[CarolT]

I slaughter at home, and the articles I've found say the meat is safe, but the blood is where the problem is. Dogs chewed her ears off so getting a blood sample for testing could be an issue.

[Fineswine]

Humans are generally infected in one of three ways: eating or drinking something that is contaminated with Brucella, breathing in the organism (inhalation), or having the bacteria enter the body through skin wounds. The most common way to be infected is by eating or drinking contaminated milk products. When sheep, goats, cows, or camels are infected, their milk is contaminated with the bacteria. If the milk is not pasteurized, these bacteria can be transmitted to persons who drink the milk or eat cheeses made it. Inhalation of Brucella organisms is not a common route of infection, but it can be a significant hazard for people in certain occupations, such as those working in laboratories where the organism is cultured. Inhalation is often responsible for a significant percentage of cases in abattoir employees. Contamination of skin wounds may be a problem for persons working in slaughterhouses or meat packing plants or for veterinarians. Hunters may be infected through skin wounds or by accidentally ingesting the bacteria after cleaning deer, elk, moose, or wild pigs that they have killed.
Basicly if the pbp has it then the meat is in no way safe.I suggest culling her and dig a deep hole to put her to rest in.

[haypoint]

Brucellosis is a good guess. Not uncommon for pigs.
As you said, not much meat to worry about either way. If you don't want to pay a Vet to do a blood draw and testing, dig a hole and shoot her.