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:

• 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.
  
• MDA recommends small breed "designer" dogs from kennels in Missaukee, Osceola, and Wexford counties be tested for B. canis.
  
• Brucellosis,(including canine brucellosis) is reportable to MDA.
  
• 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.
  
• 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.
  
• Spaying and neutering minimizes the public health threat.
  
• 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.
  
• Dogs imported from other states are required to have a health certificate.
  
• 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.

JENNIFER M. GRANHOLM  GOVERNOR

• 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 issue, please email your contact information to Dr. Angie Butler at butleran@michigan.gov.
  
• Disease testing for MDA is being performed at Michigan State University Diagnostic Center for Population and Animal Health (DCPAH).
  
• 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
  
• 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