Minnesota welcomed more than 20,000 dogs last year: some brought along a troubling disease
St. Paul, MN: The Minnesota Board of Animal Health is warning current and prospective pet owners about the risks and dangers of a zoonotic disease called canine brucellosis. Zoonotic diseases can infect animals and humans. There are several active brucellosis cases in Minnesota and each one connects to imported dogs, many of which originated from the same geographic area in South Dakota. The Board requires any infected dogs to either be quarantined for life or humanely euthanized to prevent the spread of disease and avoid potential complications for the infected dog.
“We’re evaluating new import requirements and quarantine procedures for dogs coming into Minnesota from South Dakota due to a high prevalence of canine brucellosis in dogs rescued from that geographic area in the past few years,” said companion animal program veterinarian Dr. Steve Kivisto. “We’ve also had recent cases imported from other states and will consider additional requirements if those also prove to contain a pattern of canine brucellosis.”
Canine brucellosis is an infection caused by a bacteria called Brucella canis and primarily affects dogs. However, it is among several strains of Brucella capable of infecting multiple species, including humans. Brucellosis primarily spreads in dogs via breeding or exposure to birthing materials but can also be transmitted through exposure to blood, milk, saliva and feces. This disease is particularly important to look out for because it is harder to confirm infected dogs with currently available tests. Veterinarians must know the clinical signs of disease and utilize the dog’s history to identify and test high-risk cases. Owners should understand that B. canis infection in dogs is considered a non-curable disease. If owners choose to attempt treatment, their pet may continue to shed the bacteria anyway. Positive test results must be reported to the Board of Animal Health, which investigates animal exposures.
The Minnesota Department of Health investigates human exposures to assess risk. People who live with or work closely with animals and come into contact with reproductive tissues and bodily fluids are at higher risk of contracting brucellosis, including owners, breeders, shelter or boarding facility staff, and veterinarians.
The Board encourages pet owners to do their homework before welcoming a new dog into their family. Reputable breeders, rescues and shelters should be able to provide a health history of dogs offered for sale or adoption, including where the dog was bred or rescued. New pet owners should also consult a veterinarian before a potential adoption to identify any health risks specific to the breed or situation.
Anyone importing dogs into Minnesota for resale or adoption must have a veterinarian view the animal and sign off on a certificate of veterinary inspection certifying it appears free from disease. Certain geographic areas should also trigger the importer to screen for brucellosis following the Board’s recommended testing policy. While testing is not required, it is highly recommended since infected dogs can outwardly appear healthy.
For the complete policy on canine brucellosis and additional prevention resources for pet owners and veterinarians, visit the Board’s website.
For more information on brucellosis infection in humans, visit the MDH website.
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The mission of the Minnesota Board of Animal Health is to protect the health of the state’s domestic animals through education and cooperation with veterinarians, producers, owners and communities.
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