Monday, July 22, 2019
Last week, the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture (Department) reissued a temporary order designating several animal diseases as “dangerous transmissible diseases”, including Canine Brucellosis (Brucella canis).
As noted by the Department, transmission of B. canis bacteria occurs through exposure to secretions during estrus or mating or by contact with infected tissues during birth or following abortion. Infected dogs may spread the bacteria in blood, milk, urine, saliva, nasal and ocular secretions, and feces. Puppies can become infected in utero, during birth, through nursing, and by contact with contaminated surfaces. The bacteria may also be transmitted by other objects or materials which are likely to carry infection.
- canis in breeding dogs is a significant cause of reproductive failure, and can result in abortions, stillbirths, epididymitis, orchitis, and sperm abnormalities in dogs.
The Department advised that prevention of B. canis is key, and all dogs entering a breeding kennel or used for breeding should first be test-negative or come from a brucella-negative source. Ongoing and regular testing of breeding stock, along with proper biosecurity and sanitation of breeding facilities, is recommended to prevent disease transmission.
AKC Government Relations Department’s Regulatory Resource Center provides updates on dog-related federal and state regulations. For more information, go to https://akcgr.org/regcenter?1.