OUTBREAK...Brucelosis - Page 1

Permission to crosspost granted: Dogs Sold at Roadside Possibly Infected With Brucellosis Amanda Haines City Government and Health reporter The Lewis County Health Department is warning anyone who has purchased or adopted a dog from a rural Lewis County woman to have that dog tested for canine brucellosis, a dangerous bacterial infection. According to the health department, a dog owned by a dog breeder and rescuer tested positive for the disease earlier this week. A total of four dogs are believed to have the disease, as of this morning. Because the infected dogs were in close contact with more than 110 dogs, it is very likely more dogs are infected with the disease. And, because the breeder kept no records, there is no way to predict how many more dogs with the disease have been sold. This breeder, who lives in the Ethel-Toledo area (south of Olympia, Washington), sells several breeds of purebred and "designer" mixed breeds, including pugles (beagle-pug mix) and terrier-Chihuahua mixes. In addition, she rescues dogs of all breeds and adopts them out. All of the 110 dogs on her property have been tested for the disease, but the health department is advising anyone who may have bought or adopted a dog since mid-February to have the animal tested by a veterinarian. At-risk dogs were sold along state Route 508 near Mary's Corner, on U.S. Highway 12 at or near the Ethel Market, or from a parking or at Interstate 5 exit 79 in Chehalis. The breeder's identity is confidential, as she has done nothing illegal. She is described as a woman in her 20s or 30s. She sells the dogs out of a red car. The Department of Agriculture has quarantined the breeder's property and she is forbidden to sell, give away, or otherwise remove any of the animals now there, said Kathleen Eussen, health department director. Canine brucellosis is a bacterial infection that causes abortions and infertility in females, and reproductive problems and infertility in males. Because treatment is rarely successful in dogs, it is recommended that dogs with the disease be euthanized. Symptoms may be unnoticed in females, but males may have testicular swelling and infections. Other possible symptoms include lethargy, loss of libido, premature aging and swollen lymph nodes, according to the International Veterinary Information Service. The disease, which may be transmitted to humans, is very rare in Washington. For information, telephone a veterinarian or the health department at 740-1222. On the negative side, since brucellosis cannot be cured, is persistent in the environment, and is a danger cross-species, including to humans, it is almost certain that most or all of the dogs on her property will be euthanized. It's also a real dilemna for anyone in the south end, because those puppies could well be in circulation at dog parks, etc...fouling those environments - Was reported that this woman "might" have attended the TIMBERLAND K.C. SHOW. This is a really scary story, actually. In addition to causing abortion/reabsorption in bitches, and infertility in males, it can also cause kidney damage in some cases, and it is transferable to humans, where it causes a flu-like syndrome.

That phone number is incorrect I am attempting to obtain a correct phone number, Bear with me.

ok just got off the phone with the Health Director at the Lewis co. Health Dept. His name is John he was very helpful, He said that 1 dog tested posative and it was a small breed dog, the reason she was tested is because she aborted a litter of pups. the dept. has pulled blood on all of the remaining dogs and are awaiting results they are expected next week. What will happen from there they are not sure about. I do have the contact phone # for anyone who wants it email me privately I will provide it for you. He did confirm that this lady does not keep records and sells puppies from her car at roadside stops. (uurrggghhh) So they can not confirm if there are pups/dogs that have been sold because they have no record of purchasers. He said the dogs typically are not purebred dogs, they mixed breed dogs with no papers. (urrggghhh again) They are making every effort to make this as public as possible so that anyone who has purchased a dog from her may have it tested for brucelosis. Guess Brucelosis is not dead hhh???

What state please? thanks, SS

Washington State, Olympia area