Rule 901:1-6-05 | Health.
Unless otherwise specified, this rule applies to all adult dogs and puppies kept by high volume breeders.
(A) All high volume breeders shall have a valid veterinary-client-patient-relationship with a licensed veterinarian.
(B) The attending veterinarian shall:
(1) Visit each housing facility a minimum of one time per calendar year;
(2) Conduct a physical exam of each adult dog and puppy six months of age and older at the time of the yearly inspection; and,
(3) Provide a written annual plan requiring care for the adult dogs and puppies which shall include but is not limited to:
(a) Exercise;
(b) Nutritional plan;
(c) Behavior and social needs;
(d) A vaccination and parasite control program that is consistent with the recommendations of the American veterinarian medical association or the American animal hospital association;
(e) Health care plan shall include both of the following:
(i) The monitoring and surveillance plan for brucella canis as developed by the kennel veterinarian:
(a) Whole kennel testing for kennels in the first year of Ohio department of agriculture high volume dog breeding licensure;
(b) Testing of any new additions, both natural and acquired;
(c) Provision for addressing B. canis in semen to be used in the kennel; and
(d) The B. canis rules outlined in rules 901:1-5-12 and 901:1-5-13 of the Administrative Code shall be taken into consideration by the veterinarian during the development of the monitoring and surveillance plan.
(ii) Dew claw removal and tail docking instructions including all of the following:
(a) Acceptable instruments include surgical scissors, scapel blade, hemostats, or forceps;
(b) Instructions including the proper use of the instrument and technique used to remove the dew claw or perform the tail dock;
(c) Instructions on medication usage for pain control or clotting;
(d) Guidance on after procedure care and monitoring; and
(e) Instructions on the cleaning and disinfecting of instruments.
(f) An effective program for the control of insects, external parasites affecting adult dogs or puppies, and birds and mammals that are pests shall be established and maintained in the housing facility and primary enclosures.
(C) Health monitoring and biosecurity.
(1) Adult dogs and puppies are to be monitored by the high volume breeder regularly for evidence of disease, injury, or improper or inadequate care. Corrective measures, under veterinary guidance, shall be taken by the high volume breeder when evidence is found of any of these conditions.
(2) All dogs and puppies shall be handled to minimize distress and appropriate biosecurity measures shall be taken to minimize the likelihood of spreading disease to other adult dogs or puppies.
(3) Any dystocia or difficult labor event shall receive timely attention by the high volume breeder and, if necessary, veterinary intervention.
(D) Breeding.
(1) If the dog is a female, breed the dog only if the dog has maintained a normal body condition and has been declared healthy by a veterinarian following a physical examination. The physical examination must take place after the previous litter of puppies has been weaned and before the female is bred again. A "breeding cycle" is from once a female weans a litter of puppies until the female weans the next litter of puppies. Therefore, the physical exam shall occur after weaning, but before the subsequent breeding. Physical examinations conducted on female dogs that are pregnant, whelping (surgical and non-surgical), or nursing puppies do not meet this requirement.
(2) If the dog is a female, ensure that the dog does not produce more than eight litters in the female's lifetime.
(E) All of the following grooming requirements shall be met:
(1) All adult dogs' and puppies' haircoats free of mats, tangles, and debris;
(2) Toenails kept at a length that does not cause discomfort, abnormal posture, or movement; and
(3) Grooming performed on a frequency that prevents hair growth from limiting normal functions including, but not limited to, vision, hearing, and mobility.
(F) Surgical procedures, except between two to five days of age the removal of the dew claw and tail docking, shall only be performed by a licensed veterinarian.
(G) Drugs will be administered as directed by the attending veterinarian and consistent with the labeled directions and all applicable state and federal laws.
(H) Euthanasia shall only be performed by a licensed veterinarian.
(I) Adult dogs or puppies may only be transported in commerce if the adult dogs or puppies are at least eight weeks of age and have been weaned.
Last updated January 9, 2023 at 8:56 AM
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