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) "Accredited laboratory" means a laboratory which maintains current accreditation through the international organization for standardization (ISO) or the American association of veterinary laboratory diagnosticians (AAVLD).
(3) The tests contained in paragraphs (A)(1)(a) to (A)(1)(c) of this rule may only be conducted by an accredited laboratory or the Ohio department of agriculture's diagnostic laboratory.
(4) Accredited laboratories or the Ohio department of agriculture's diagnostic laboratory 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.
(5) 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.
(6) A validated testing methodology approved and administered by the Ohio department of agriculture's diagnostic laboratory.
(B) Brucella canis classifications.
(1) Suspect.
(a) A canine shall be classified as brucella canis suspect, if the canine tests positive for brucella canis using the following tests:
(i) An IFA test; or
(ii) A TAT test, at dilutions of 1:50 or 1:100.
(b) A canine which has been classified as brucella canis suspect according to paragraph (B)(1)(a)(i) or (B)(1)(a)(ii) of this rule, shall either:
(i) Be referred to the Ohio department of agriculture for confirmation of the canine's 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's diagnostic laboratory or an accredited 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 accredited 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 and treatment history;
(d) An epidemiological study of the animal;
(e) Examination; and
(f) Further testing at the discretion of the Ohio department of agriculture.
(C) Identification and reporting.
(1) All accredited veterinarians who conduct a brucella canis test, submit a sample for brucella canis testing, or employ any other method of detection for brucella canis, shall include in the report to the Ohio department of agriculture, the following information:
(a) Name, mailing address and residence address of the canine's owner;
The residence address of the animal if different from the canine's owner;
(b) Date of test or sample collection;
(c) Official identification as outlined in paragraph (C)(4) of this rule, sex, and breed of each individual animal tested or sampled; and
(d) The results of the test performed, if available.
(2) All accredited veterinarians who conduct brucella canis testing or submit samples for brucella canis testing at a laboratory other than the Ohio department of agriculture's diagnostic laboratory shall report the results of the tests to the Ohio department of agriculture within seven days. The report shall include all information contained in paragraphs (C)(1)(a) to (C)(1)(d) of this rule and be submitted electronically to the state veterinarian's office.
(3) All accredited veterinarians who draw blood for brucella canis testing shall submit the blood sample to an accredited laboratory within seven days.
(4) An accredited veterinarian must identify any canine to be tested for brucella canis with any of the following items which are approved by the Ohio department of agriculture:
(a) A microchip;
(b) A collar affixed around the dog's neck with a tag made of metal or aluminum that contains the following engraved, stamped, or imprinted information:
(i) The individual dog's number; and
(ii) The Ohio high volume breeder license number.
(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 whole kennel test is defined as all test-eligible dogs located at a premises being tested within thirty days. Test-eligible dogs are dogs that are six months of age and older.
(3) A brucella canis positive, exposed, or suspect canine shall be released from quarantine upon:
(a) An epidemiological study conducted by the Ohio department of agriculture;
(b) The owner has been advised by the Ohio department of agriculture as to the zoonotic potential; and
(c) Two negative whole kennel IFA or TAT tests at least sixty days apart that were conducted by the Ohio department of agriculture or the national veterinary services laboratory; or
(d) The canine has been humanely euthanized or is otherwise deceased and documented by a licensed veterinarian or confirmed by the Ohio department of agriculture.
(4) Once a canine or a premises is under a quarantine order for brucella canis, all testing must be conducted by the Ohio department of agriculture's diagnostic laboratory or the national veterinary services laboratory in order for the quarantine order to be modified or lifted.
(E) Selling, movement, and disposal of animals.
(1) No canine known to be brucella canis exposed, suspect, or positive shall be offered for sale, trade, barter, or otherwise removed from the premises without prior written permission from the Ohio department of agriculture.
(2) Puppies born to a brucella canis suspect or positive 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 by the Ohio department of agriculture or the national veterinary services laboratory. 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 in accordance with paragraphs (A)(1)(a) to (A)(1)(c) of this rule.
(3) Puppies under six-months of age which are classified as brucella canis suspect or positive may be re-tested after six-months of age and must be re-tested no sooner than sixty days after the initial test in accordance with paragraphs (A)(1)(a) to (A)(1)(c) of this rule.
Last updated April 1, 2025 at 7:48 AM
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