Breeders, an important test for all of your dogs...

[Jac]

I have long been a proponent of health testing our breeding dogs but it was not until recently that I found out about Brucellosis...oh, yes, I had heard of it and I even tested my dogs...once...but once is not enough. This is what I recently discovered, thank goodness my discovery has been through research and not experience.
Brucellosis can cause a female to abort entire litters, or reabsorb puppies, or it may cause the loss of puppies early after birth; often when puppies are lost to fading puppy sundrom this is the real cause.
Affected bitches sometimes show no sign of disease, males show even less frequently. Puppies can be born infected or dogs can infect each other through bodily fluids.
Brucellosis is highly contageous and although it is considered a sexually transmitted disease in animals, it is not just through sexual contact that it is transmitted.
I urge you all to read and research Brucellosis...and to have your breeding dogs tested. It is relatively simple, just a blood test, and is not that expensive.
The experts advise that when you get a new dog you quarantine it until you get two negative tests, given 4-7 weeks apart. Then males should be tested twice a year and females before every heat cycle.
http://canecorsolinks.com/canecorso.com ... llosis.htm

[MaxandMe]

what a great post Jac!!! thanks

i learned about this test when i was going to breed Beau in past, with all natural matings this is simple test that can eliminate
much heartache. AND whether natural or AI , it is a good precautionary measure that from what i understand to be done for each mating
for bitches

[Jac]

I am glad you agree...in fact, even with AI it is important because it is the semen that could contain the bacteria and infect the female but if the female is infected, AI would, of course, protect the male...still the puppies would suffer, die or be carriers.
It isn't really a common thing, but I think that it is more common than breeders think and when I read about so many breeders with fading puppies (myself included) I always wonder if testing was done on both parents.
For any breeders who have had litters aborted, absorbed or fading puppies, I think it is especially important for them to test their dogs.
For any breeders with males who have low sperm count or impotence, Brucellosis should be the first thing to look at.
But it seems that no one checks! Even vets are pretty clueless when it comes to Brucellosis. That is why I am posting these notices.
If we spread the word, then maybe we can save puppies lives.

[MaxandMe]

MOST stud contracts for AI via chilled/frozen semen have Brucellosis test as mandatory for Both dam and sire (which makes perfect sense)

and YES how many times has a breeder sworn her Dam was pregnant only to find out later NO LITTER? no puppies, gone

so like DNA testing to clear congenital/hereditary disease ...bruecellosis is as vitally important.

[cocoandjane]

OK, Sooooo............If I should get another puppy to raise and HOPEFULLY breed.....
When I bring it into my home, I should quarantee it...keeping it away from Abby and Coco
so I can make sure it isn't infected from the breeder's place with anything??

I don't want Brucellosis here....or Parvo....or giardia.....or anything.
How will I keep the yard from getting infected by a new puppy should it have picked up
something somehow? I am sure if I got one locally, I could have it tested before bringing
it home....or the breeder can prove it to me....this makes me vary wary about bringing
another in here until a vet has cleared it completely.

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[Jac]

First, you would want to do the testing for your girls to be sure that they don't have Brucellosis...then, yes, when you get another dog, take it directly to the vet for testing. (I would do that rather than to have it tested somewhere else.) You would include heartworm testing.
Wait 4 days and retest. This is a good idea for Brucellosis but also for giradia, coccidia and parasites. What I would do, as a peventative, is while the pup IS in quarantine, I'd deworm and treat with albon. So, the quarantine would only need to be 4-10 days, depending on the testing results. If you get two clear tests, you can be almost certain that the pup is fine.
Now, keep in mind that parasites are very common...your girls can pick them up on walks, from stagnant water, or just playing at a dog park...so the quarantine may be more than you need, unless you also test your girls.
I have never done this before, but I believe that I will start if I get new breeding stock...however, just by caring for the pup, even in quarantine, you could bring in any disease to your dogs...so, factor that in and decide how best to prevent it.
When we get our kennel built, I plan to have a quarantine area (and a vet area and a grooming area)...but I don't have that now. I would say to find a good, easy to clean, area such as a garage floor where you can use a bleach solution to kill bacteria...OR get a steam cleaner...it kills bacteria, viruses, even fleas ... without chemicals.
Then, just make that place as comfie as possible. If you have an outdoor area for the pup, you can perpare that for disinfecting too. (You can find info by looking up kennels on the web.)
Hope this helps...don't get too paranoid...just be cautious.

[cocoandjane]

Ok, that's a plan. I won't obsess....and the garage inside a pen will do for a few days until we get test
results back....unless the breeder I get a semi-retired breeder or puppy from can show me recent results
from testing.

One day I want one of those steam cleaners like you have.

[Maureen]

Jane have you found a puppy for yourself?? Or a young breeding dog??

[cocoandjane]

Maureen,

Not yet.....I am considering some options....
I may have to go to my folks in MN soon....I may wait until that trip is over
to bring a puppy home....Or wait until spring.

I stepped back a little over the holidays and "got over" the shock of not
having a breeding girl.....sort of had to put the whole thing on hold for a bit...
but, am soon going to be loving another who hopefully will pass testing
with flying colors!! Thanks for asking....I can't wait to start planning again!