Korean Journal of
Veterinary Service

To survey different pathogens contaminated in pet shops in Incheon Metropolitan city, a total of 124 samples (67 cage swabs and 57 feed bowl swabs) were collected from 20 pet shops located in Incheon area and tested 10 viruses, one parasite, and 13 food-poisoning causing bacteria by conventional polymerase chain reaction (PCR) or real-time PCR assays in this study. Based on the PCR results for 67 cage swabs, the detection rates of canine herpesvirus, canine parvovirus and canine coronavirus were 13.4% (9/67), 7.5% (5/67), and 1.5% (1/67) respectively. Out of 57 feed bowl swab samples, 6 (10.5%), 3 (5.3%), and 2 (3.5%) were positive for Clostridium perfringens, Bacillus cereus, and enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC), respectively. These results showed that some pet shops in Incheon area were contaminated with different pathogenic viruses, bacteria. Therefore, more extensive efforts are needed to improve the biosecurity and disease prevention in pet animal shops.

Keywords: Companion animal, Pet shops, Viral diseases, Food poisoning bacteria, PCR