Brucellosis

[Dreamer74]

I have heard that there has been a rise in cases of Brucellosis, particularly in Michigan. Has anyone heard the same? At what age do you test your potential breeders?

[YorkieRose]

Brucellois is spread through breeding and coming into contact with bitches who have recently whelped..most often aborted a litter and it is spread through the discharge, correct?
If you have a bitch who has never been bred, never been around breeding dogs, I am told the chances of brucellois are zero.

A male used at stud, needs to be tested...and from that point on, all bitches who come IN for stud service need to be tested prior to the breeding...my vets said there is no need to repeatly test your studs unless you do not require bitches for stud service be tested..once negative, always negative within your own kennel...BUT if you go out for stud service, then you need to ask the stud be tested also...do not want to bring it back via your bitch.

I never tested my own bitches...since the studs were free of it, there was no way they could give it to the bitches who had never been bred or been around a positive dog... the disease is not airborne and can not be brought in by humans, like parvo and other problems..

[Dreamer74]

I have read that they can also pick it up at boarding facilities, which is my main concern since from time to time they have and will get boarded. It is nice to think they will never get boarded, but sometimes travel is required for us so they have to be.

[MyFairLacy]

Canine Brucellosis can be spread through urine as well.

[Ladyhawk]

Originally Posted by MyFairLacy

Canine Brucellosis can be spread through urine as well.

Thus the reason it can wipe out your whole breeding program. One more thing to keep on top of gals. Maybe I should have picked up a simple hobby like archery.

[PrestigeousYT]

Michigan and Indiana
From: Al W. Stinson, D.V.M.
Director of Legislative Affairs
Michigan Association for Pure Bred Dogs
Michigan Hunting Dog Federation

Subject: Canine Brucellosis outbreak in several kennels in Michigan.

An investigation by the Michigan Department of Agriculture' s (MDA) Animal industry Division identified three Brucella canis (CB) positive "designer" dog breeding facilities in Missaukee, Osceola, and Wexford counties that provided small cross-bred lap dogs to pet shops and individuals throughout the state. Authorities also found two Van Buren County purebred dogs imported from a kennel in Indiana to be positive for CB. Indiana animal health officials are following up in that state.

Please read the attached letter from Dr. Steven Halstead, State Veterinarian with more information and recommendations. The letter can also be read on the MAPBD website. Michigan Association for Pure Bred Dogs
The notice is on the right side of the home page in Red print that contains a link to Dr. Halsteads letter.

Dr Steven Halsteads letter follows.


August 7, 2008

Dear Michigan Veterinarians:

An investigation by the Michigan Department of Agriculture' s (MDA) Animal Industry Division identified three Brucella canis (CB) positive "designer" dog breeding facilities in Missaukee, Osceola, and Wexford counties that provided small cross-bred lap dogs to pet shops and individuals throughout the state. Authorities also found two Van Buren County purebred dogs imported from a kennel in Indiana to be positive for CB. Indiana animal health officials are following up in that state.

We expect you may be contacted by clients about canine brucellosis and may also have clients that breed dogs or own breeding kennels. Here is information to bring you up-to-date on Brucella canis in Michigan:

1.. MDA will be educating small dog owners, individuals who may have come into contact with infected breeding dogs, pet shops, animal shelters, and pet food retail outlets about the risks of canine brucellosis.
2.. MDA recommends small breed "designer" dogs from kennels in Missaukee, Osceola, and Wexford counties be tested for B. canis.
c.. Brucellosis, (including canine brucellosis) is reportable to MDA.
d.. MDA will quarantine an infected kennel. Euthanasia of breeding animals is recommended. A testing program can be used, but it is expected the kennel would need to remain under quarantine for several months. Testing is at the owner's expense.
e.. Infected pet animals are handled on an individual basis. Euthanasia is recommended, especially in breeding situations, but spay/neuter and appropriate antibiotic therapy may sometimes be an option.
1.. Spaying and neutering minimizes the public health threat.
1.. Dog breeders and kennel owners should be reminded about bio-security. Isolation of new animals, good sanitation and routine brucellosis testing are key elements to a good bio-security program.
1.. Dogs imported from other states are required to have a health certificate.
1.. If you have pet shop clients, you can help by advising them about bio-security and monitoring their source of puppies. We are advising pet shops to require proof of negative brucellosis testing from kennels that supply their puppies.




a.. MDA is forming a canine brucellosis working group to further evaluate this emerging disease situation in Michigan and to develop a comprehensive disease control strategy. If you are interested in having input on this issue, or receiving updates about this i ssue, please email your contact information to Dr. Angie Butler at butleran@michigan. gov .
1.. Disease testing for MDA is being performed at Michigan State University Diagnostic Center for Population and Animal Health (DCPAH).
1.. Questions or concerns about human health may be directed to a health care provider or the Michigan Department of Community Health at 517-335-8165. Human cases of brucellosis are reportable to Michigan Local Health Departments.
1.. Information on human health, clinical diagnosis, laboratory testing and sample collection may be obtained from the information sheet provided in this link: http://www.cfsph. iastate.edu/ Factsheets/ pdfs/brucellosis _canis.pdf
Sincerely,

Steven Halstead, DVM

State Veterinarian

[C C Kent]

At our most recent seminar the guest speaker warned that Brucellosis could be spread through casual contact with saliva, one dog licking another in the mouth. Is this not correct? I suppose that since it can be contracted through urine it would be difficult to know for sure, which end was the source. His point was that they need not ever be bred to have the disease.

[YorkieRose]

So, if your dogs stay within your own home, not boarded, or bred out, they are safe..but could pick it up at dog parks etc through urine..correct? Does it have to be the urine of a dog that has been bred or used for stud..or any dog spayed/neutered?

[Dreamer74]

Originally Posted by YorkieRose

So, if your dogs stay within your own home, not boarded, or bred out, they are safe..but could pick it up at dog parks etc through urine..correct? Does it have to be the urine of a dog that has been bred or used for stud..or any dog spayed/neutered?

There seems to be some debate on this but I understand it as any dog can have it regardless of if they have been used for breeding and if they have been spayed or neutered. However the chances are far less likely.

[MyFairLacy]

Originally Posted by Dreamer74

There seems to be some debate on this but I understand it as any dog can have it regardless of if they have been used for breeding and if they have been spayed or neutered. However the chances are far less likely.

It is possible for a dog to be born with Brucellosis if the mother had it. Most likely the bitch would have aborted the litter and puppies would have never been born, but some brucellosis positive bitches will carry to term...thus producing brucellosis positive puppies. So even though they've never been bred, they are still positive.

[TeddyandTiffy]

Originally Posted by PrestigeousYT

Michigan and Indiana
Subject: Canine Brucellosis outbreak in several kennels in Michigan.

An investigation by the Michigan Department of Agriculture' s (MDA) Animal industry Division identified three Brucella canis (CB) positive "designer" dog breeding facilities in Missaukee, Osceola, and Wexford counties that provided small cross-bred lap dogs to pet shops and individuals throughout the state. Authorities also found two Van Buren County purebred dogs imported from a kennel in Indiana to be positive for CB. Indiana animal health officials are following up in that state.
Please read the attached letter from Dr. Steven Halstead, State Veterinarian with more information and recommendations. The letter can also be read on the MAPBD website. Michigan Association for Pure Bred Dogs
The notice is on the right side of the home page in Red print that contains a link to Dr. Halsteads letter.

Dr Steven Halsteads letter follows.


August 7, 2008

Dear Michigan Veterinarians:

An investigation by the Michigan Department of Agriculture' s (MDA) Animal Industry Division identified three Brucella canis (CB) positive "designer" dog breeding facilities in Missaukee, Osceola, and Wexford counties that provided small cross-bred lap dogs to pet shops and individuals throughout the state. Authorities also found two Van Buren County purebred dogs imported from a kennel in Indiana to be positive for CB. Indiana animal health officials are following up in that state.

Steven Halstead, DVM

State Veterinarian

I live in Southern Indiana and this concerns me...I can't find any Van Buren County, Indiana...I find Van Buren Township, Brown County, Indiana...Van Buren, Indiana & Van Buren County, Michigan...Or anything on Indiana animal health officials. I've been searching for over a hour trying to find this county and can't find it on the internet.

I don't want to take any chances on ANY of my Yorkies getting Canine Brucellosis...So I need help in protecting them in anyway form or fashion.

I have 2 males now...Teddy has been bred before to my Tiffanie they neither one have the "CB" that I know of...I have not tested them for it...Tiffanie is now spaded. & None of their 10 puppies has ever had it that I know of...All others beside the 3 I kept out of their 10 puppies was adopted out on Spade/Neuter Contracts.

Galahad is from our Litter and he has NEVER been Bred yet...Planned Breeding for Galahad & Sage in the Spring of 2009

We have 3 females now...Sage, Sofie and Weezie (NONE have been bred...Planned breeding for Sage and Galahad in the Spring of 2009...No planned breedings for Weezie or Sofie)

So here comes the questions...

They NONE have been outside for over a week...(Weezie went with me to my daughters house, that was the last time any was outside)

Do I KEEP them INSIDE 24/7 NOW??? Our front yard is NOT fenced in and there is strays here in our neighborhood that do potty in our front yard and yes I get so mad...Even people walking their dogs will stop and allow their dogs to potty in our front yard...Oh yeah and I do tell them if I catch them...That's the magic word there CATCH them.

C & Cs POST: At our most recent seminar the guest speaker warned that Brucellosis could be spread through casual contact with saliva, one dog licking another in the mouth. Is this not correct? I suppose that since it can be contracted through urine it would be difficult to know for sure, which end was the source. His point was that they need not ever be bred to have the disease. Very good point.

MyFairLacys POST: Canine Brucellosis can be spread through urine as well.

Tamis POST: Thus the reason it can wipe out your whole breeding program. One more thing to keep on top of gals.

Pats POST: So, if your dogs stay within your own home, not boarded, or bred out, they are safe..This is what I"m wondering too but could pick it up at dog parks etc through urine..correct? Wondering this too Does it have to be the urine of a dog that has been bred or used for stud..or any dog spayed/neutered? I'm wondering that too

Can dogs pass CB around through their urine??? I'm wondering if my Teddy goes in our front yard and licks the pee up say from a female (I know that sounds bad but HE does this with our girls after they potty...And I hate that he does it.) that is infected with CB then he could bring it back into my other 4 Yorkies???

They are all 5 Puppy pad trained so going to the potty is NO problem...They don't have to go outside at all although they do LOVE it but I will keep them inside when it comes to a health issue with them all 5.

Okay Sage is due for her 2nd heat at the end of this Month...Remember NO breeding this time around....Can people bring it in your house on their shoes if they was to step in urine from a dog that is infected CB??? Should I tell everyone to remove their shoes before coming inside my home??? I sure did when we had puppies I had big notes on both of my doors.

We are removing Teddy from our Breeding Program...He is going to live with my oldest daughter...He will not be neutered right away...Also will NOT be bred to ANY DOG...She will take him places and then bring him to see us...Should I tell her to KEEP him inside not to allow him outside for ??? time...I sure wouldn't want him to get CB and bring it to us??? If CB can be transmitted this way...

I know I ask so many questions but ladies I'm scared to death of this...We have NEVER have studded out before to anyone, No other Breedings except for our own Teddy and Tiffanie, no boarding at all...

What would you each do if it was in your State or close to your State as this is mine??? Thanks for ANY input on this...And your wisdom. And I'm calling our Vets (2 different ones in different Towns to see if they've heard anything on CB and what Towns, Cities or Counties it is in Indiana. Hugs, Lee

[YorkieRose]

I called my vet back in Maryland...he said he was still not that concerned with the problem...he has not seen a case in 15 yrs. and that was from a breeder who bought 3 bitches in from the mid west...2 of the 3 "mid west" bitches tested positive, but none of her own dogs tested positive and they were together for several months before the testing.. none had been bred to her stud or given birth.

He said to be wise and test any new dogs who come in for breeding, buying stock etc...as to the dog parks, he knows me and mine do not go to dog parks...the sickest any of mine got was from a local meeting at a park..never again. He is not in favor of boarding kennels for many reasons.

As to strange dogs coming in the yard and leaving urine..he was much more concerned about parasites being left..fleas, hook worms, parvo etc...BUT he said we need to be wise and the best route is to keep all strange dogs away from our own..in the yards and any place.

Right now he is seeing parvo..a new strain cropping up and that is a big concern.


Interested to hear more about this subject.

[Dreamer74]

Originally Posted by YorkieRose

I called my vet back in Maryland...he said he was still not that concerned with the problem...he has not seen a case in 15 yrs. and that was from a breeder who bought 3 bitches in from the mid west...2 of the 3 "mid west" bitches tested positive, but none of her own dogs tested positive and they were together for several months before the testing.. none had been bred to her stud or given birth.

He said to be wise and test any new dogs who come in for breeding, buying stock etc...as to the dog parks, he knows me and mine do not go to dog parks...the sickest any of mine got was from a local meeting at a park..never again. He is not in favor of boarding kennels for many reasons.

As to strange dogs coming in the yard and leaving urine..he was much more concerned about parasites being left..fleas, hook worms, parvo etc...BUT he said we need to be wise and the best route is to keep all strange dogs away from our own..in the yards and any place.

Right now he is seeing parvo..a new strain cropping up and that is a big concern.


Interested to hear more about this subject.

Thanks for the information.

[TeddyandTiffy]

Originally Posted by YorkieRose

I called my vet back in Maryland...he said he was still not that concerned with the problem...he has not seen a case in 15 yrs. and that was from a breeder who bought 3 bitches in from the mid west...2 of the 3 "mid west" bitches tested positive, but none of her own dogs tested positive and they were together for several months before the testing.. none had been bred to her stud or given birth.

He said to be wise and test any new dogs who come in for breeding, buying stock etc...as to the dog parks, he knows me and mine do not go to dog parks...the sickest any of mine got was from a local meeting at a park..never again. He is not in favor of boarding kennels for many reasons.

As to strange dogs coming in the yard and leaving urine..he was much more concerned about parasites being left..fleas, hook worms, parvo etc...BUT he said we need to be wise and the best route is to keep all strange dogs away from our own..in the yards and any place.

Right now he is seeing parvo..a new strain cropping up and that is a big concern.


Interested to hear more about this subject.

Pat thanks for checking into this too...I have been doing the same today.

If I would READ right lol...My FAULT there..

Authorities also found two Van Buren County purebred dogs imported from a kennel in Indiana to be positive for CB. Indiana animal health officials are following up in that state.

If I would have SLOWED down LIKE I NEED TO DO...And read this right from my understanding there was 2 Van Buren County Purebred Dogs IMPORTED from a Kennel in INDIANA...Right??? Correct me if I'm wrong here.

So I contacted my Vet in the next City/Town over and they said the Vet will call me back....Contacted my NEW Vet here right down the road from me...My Vet (One that seen Galahad and give him his Rabies Shot) talked to me about it and said they had NOT heard a thing about it...Ask me to print it out and bring them a copy so I just did this...He said he would find out and contact Indiana Animal Health Officials and return my call with his findings said it might take until early next week to find anything out as sometimes they are slow.

He told me not to worry about any Dogs coming into our Yard...They can't catch it through their urine (??????????) anyways this Gal isn't taking ANY Chances...No outside at all for my Yorkies...So no walks either...I hate to do this but I have to protect them. I have NO other Yorkies here in our house coming in or out...BUT I do worry about other people having dogs and them coming over and maybe some how giving it to my babies...I don't know I worry to much I guess.

Oh and I sent an email to the Dr. Angie Bulter to see if she could help in finding out what COUNTY these CB infected Dogs came from in Indiana. I just want to make sure it isn't super close to our county...

Pat do you know anything about this NEW Strain of Parvo cropping up??? This worries me too...You just never know.

I'm just trying to make sure none of mine get anything. If you can help me more please do so...I'm always wanting/needing to learn about anything it has to do with Yorkies...

I also tried to find a Indiana Association for Pure Bred Dogs...I couldn't find one...Don't even know if there is one in Indiana...Do any of you know if there is one??? Thanks and Many Hugs, Lee

P.S. I just heard back from the Vet in the next Town over from us and she (The new Vet there...She is one reason I was thinking about changing Vets) didn't even seem concerned...She said they hadn't heard about it at all and said I had nothing to worry about...Said my Yorkies will not catch it if another dog goes potty in our yard...Didn't even ask for a copy of this statement of this CB...So maybe it's time to really think about moving to this NEW VET...At least he is checking into it for me, requested me drop off this statement and says he will contact me about his findings...Stange in the difference in Vets. This bothers me too.

[TeddyandTiffy]

Ladies I've found this online...

Canine Brucellosis in Michigan

The Michigan Department of Agriculture (MDA) received confirmation of canine brucellosis (CB) in five Michigan breeding kennels that sold small, mixed breed, and pure bred dogs in Michigan. The Missaukee, Osceola, Wexford, and Van Buren county kennels have been quarantined and MDA is in the process of notifying purchasers.

Canine brucellosis is a contagious bacterial disease that causes abortions, death of puppies shortly after birth, and chronic health problems in older dogs. Canine brucellosis is a reportable disease and an emerging concern in dog breeding facilities and “puppy mills” in Michigan. There is no vaccine for the disease and no long-term cure. Antibiotics will control the infection and spaying dogs will minimize the risk of transmission to almost zero.

CB is considered a zoonotic disease, even though the risk of actual human infection from a pet is very low. Although people can get CB from infected pets, transmission is very rare. It is mostly transmitted through handling birthing tissues from an infected dog, although it can be transmitted in water and food dishes, in urine, and in feces. Even though most dog infections generally do not result in human illness, people with weakened immune systems are more susceptible and should not handle dogs known to be infected with canine brucellosis. There is also a higher risk to people working in infected kennels.

MDA has limited information that CB might be present in other canine populations. An individual in Macomb County adopted a rescued dog from an animal shelter. The recently spayed female dog had signs of illness and the owner brought it to her veterinarian. The dog was tested and found positive for CB. The veterinarian treated the dog with a course of antibiotics. The dog is home and is not considered infectious.

To limit the potential spread of infection, the State Veterinarian strongly recommends pet shops purchasing puppies for resale require the kennel of origin to provide evidence that all animals are tested negative for brucellosis. This includes puppies from kennels in other states.

The State Veterinarian also recommends sexually intact dogs from unknown backgrounds, adopted or rescued from animal shelters, be screened for canine brucellosis. Note that state law requires adopted dogs and cats to be spayed and neutered by the new owners, so we have a public health safeguard.

MDA actions to contain canine brucellosis:

The breeding kennels have been quarantined and depopulated at the owner’s expense, or are on a test-and-remove program. With test-and-remove, the kennel remains quarantined, with no sales allowed, until there is no infection.


When possible, people who purchased or traded dogs from these kennels have been contacted. We are contacting families in the vicinities of infected breeding kennels as some neighbors’ dogs were allowed to breed at the kennels. Unfortunately, some of the kennel operators do not have complete records, so the following additional steps will be taken.


We are asking veterinarians statewide to be on heightened alert for CB in small, mixed breed, and pure bred small dogs from shelters. The Michigan Veterinary Medical Association (MVMA) is assisting MDA by contacting practicing veterinarians. Veterinarians and their staff exposed to the blood, or placentas, of infected dogs are at risk.


Link to it:
MDA - Canine Brucellosis in Michigan

Hugs, Lee