Rule 901:1-5-12 | Brucella canis.
(A) Brucella canis tests.
(1) As used in this rule, a brucella canis test means one of the following:
(a) An indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFA test);
(b) A tube agglutination test (TAT test); or
(c) A brucella canis culture test.
(2) The tests contained in paragraph (A)(1) of this rule may only be conducted by a laboratory approved by or operated by the department of agriculture, except that a laboratory not approved or operated by the Ohio department of agriculture may conduct an IFA test.
(3) Laboratories approved or operated by the Ohio department of agriculture may combine no more than five samples for IFA testing. If the composite sample is positive for brucella canis, each canine sample making up the composite sample must be tested individually.
(4) Any blood samples which are taken to conduct a brucella canis test shall only be taken by an accredited veterinarian, or by a registered veterinary technician who is supervised by an accredited veterinarian.
(B) Brucella canis classifications.
(1) Suspect.
(a) A canine shall be classified as brucella canis suspect, if it tests positive for brucella canis using the following tests:
(i) An IFA test conducted by a laboratory; or
(ii) A TAT test, at dilutions of 1/50 or 1/100.
(b) A canine test which has been classified as brucella canis suspect according to paragraph (B)(1)(a) of this rule, shall either:
(i) Be referred to the Ohio department of agriculture for confirmation of its brucella canis status; or
(ii) Be humanely euthanized.
(2) Negative.
A canine shall be classified as brucella canis negative if, through tests conducted by the Ohio department of agriculture or an approved laboratory, the canine tests negative for brucella canis using the following tests:
(a) An IFA test; or
(b) A TAT test
(3) Positive.
A canine shall be classified as brucella canis positive if, through tests conducted by the Ohio department of agriculture or an approved laboratory, the canine tests positive for brucella canis using the following tests:
(a) A TAT test, at dilutions 1/200; or
(b) A brucella canis culture test.
(4) Reclassification.
Brucella canis positive animals may be reclassified by the Ohio department of agriculture to brucella canis suspect pending the following:
(a) The animal's history;
(b) Clinical signs of the animal;
(c) Vaccination history;
(d) An epidemiological study of the animal;
(e) Examination; and
(f) Further testing.
(C) Identification and reporting.
(1) All accredited veterinarians who conduct a brucella canis test, submits a sample for brucella canis testing, or employs any other method of detection for brucella canis, shall include in the report as required in division (C) of section 941.24 of the Revised Code, on a form approved by the Ohio department of agriculture, the following information:
(a) Name and address of the canine's owner;
(b) Date of test or sample collection;
(c) Identification, age, sex, and breed of each individual animal tested or sampled; and,
(d) The results of the test performed, if available.
(2) All accredited veterinarians and laboratories who conduct brucella canis testing shall report the results of the tests to the Ohio department of agriculture within seven days on a form approved by the Ohio department of agriculture.
(3) An accredited veterinarian must identify any canine to be tested for brucella canis with any of the following items which have been approved by the Ohio department of agriculture:
(a) A microchip;
(b) A tattoo;
(c) A tamper proof eartag; or
(d) A neck chain with an individual official USDA identification tag may only be used by USDA licensed kennels.
(D) Quarantine.
(1) Pursuant to Chapter 941. of the Revised Code, the Ohio department of agriculture shall quarantine any canine on any premises that has been exposed to or diagnosed as brucella canis suspect or brucella canis positive animal.
(2) A brucella canis suspect canine shall be released from quarantine upon two negative tests at least sixty days apart that were conducted by the Ohio department of agriculture or an approved laboratory.
(3) A brucella canis positive canine on an Ohio department of agriculture licensed kennel premises shall be released from quarantine upon either:
(a) The animal has been humanely euthanized; or
(b) All of the following have been met:
(i) Ovario-hysterectomy or castration;
(ii) The owner has been advised as to the zoonotic potential; and
(iii) The canine cannot be offered for sale, trade, barter, or otherwise cannot leave the premises without prior permission of the Ohio department of agriculture.
(4) A brucella canis positive canine not on an Ohio department of agriculture licensed kennel premises shall be released from quarantine upon the following conditions being met:
(a) Ovario-hysterectomy or castration;
(b) An epidemiological study conducted by the Ohio department of agriculture;
(c) Two negative tests at least sixty days apart that were conducted by the Ohio department of agriculture or an approved laboratory;
(d) The owner has been advised as to the zoonotic potential; and,
(e) The canine cannot be offered for sale, trade, barter, or otherwise cannot leave the premises without prior permission of the Ohio department of agriculture.
(E) Selling, movement, and disposal of animals.
(1) No canine known to be brucella canis suspect or brucella canis positive shall be offered for sale, trade, barter, or otherwise removed from the premises.
(2) Puppies born to a brucella canis suspect dam shall not be offered for sale, trade, barter, or be removed from the premises unless the dam is later classified as brucella canis negative. These puppies may be isolated and quarantined in accordance with paragraph (D) of rule 901:1-5-12 of the Administrative Code and shall be tested after they reach six months of age and must be re-tested no sooner than sixty days after the initial test.
(3) Puppies born to a brucella positive dam must not be offered for sale, barter, or otherwise removed from the premises without prior permission of the department. These puppies may be isolated and quarantined in accordance with paragraph (D) of rule 901:1-5-12 of the Administrative Code and shall be tested after six months of age and must be re-tested no sooner than sixty days after the initial test.
(4) Puppies under six-months of age which are classified as brucella canis positive may be retested after six-months of age and must be re-tested no sooner than sixty days after the initial test.
Supplemental Information