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Is Your Dog Sick? County Officials Say Canine Respiratory Disease On The Rise
March 5, 2010
Escambia County officials said Thursday that there is an increase in canine respiratory infections within the animal shelter — and likely throughout the county.
Because the animal shelter has contact with a broad variety of animals from vast medical histories and backgrounds, community illness trends commonly occur in shelter environments prior to the public noticing the signs, said a county news release.
“Pet owners should look for signs similar to a cold; runny nose, sneezing, lethargy or coughing,” said Dr. Cliff Owen, staff veterinarian. “These signs can be early indicators of many different illnesses. Should these symptoms become apparent, contact your veterinarian.”
Although the exact cause of the illness has not been detected, Escambia County Animal Services is working with Schering-Plough Animal Health with vaccinations as well as testing. As a precaution the animal shelter has strongly increased their infectious control techniques, as well as vaccinations on advice of the shelter veterinarians. Shelter officials are advising residents to ensure all pet vaccinations are current.
Comments
6 Responses to “Is Your Dog Sick? County Officials Say Canine Respiratory Disease On The Rise”
I’m sure my animals “wonder” all the time. They must “wonder” at the strange antics of these people in their home. They must “wonder” at the other people who come over to visit. They must “wonder” why they are allowed to do some things and not others. There must be a million things they “wonder” about.
As for WANDERING, yes, there are many animals who do, probably because we don’t have a leash law here in the county. It’s perfectly legal for them to do so. I try to keep my dogs confined to my house or my fenced in back yard, but they do occasionally get out. . I don’t think that means that I care any less for them than anyone else does. Animals will get out. Some animals simply refuse to be confined.
There is a deputy who lives down the road from me who has a dog like that. The family has tried anything and everything to keep him in and he always manages to get out. The little bugger roams all over the neighborhood. I don’t think that means he is loved any less, only that he will not be contained.
A friend of mine had one of those “invisible fence” things for her German Shepherd after trying an electric fence in combination with a chain link fence reinforced by chicken wire. The dog was still getting out and she tried that as a last resort. The poor thing had to be treated for a massive burn on his neck from the shock it delivers each time he gets out of his “zone”. She finally gave up and let him roam.
I don’t think seeing an animal roaming can be construed as not caring. We need to understand that animals were never meant to be contained or confined. We humans have done that to them. It’s not their fault that WE think they should be anything other than a beautiful part of nature. Amazing how we think that we are the masters of the universe.
Concerned said ‘I realize that in a shelter situtation, you are going to have sick animals, but something needs to be done.”
– I am sure the shelter would be open to your advice. How would you suggest they manage the issues? Don’t forget you have to account for a dozen or so dogs coming in each day with unknown medical histories. Most illnesses are latent for a couple of days, so they are contagious before symptoms arise. There are generally 3-5 dogs per kennel, sharing water and beds. If a dog isn’t adopted within a certain time period, the odds are for it being euthanized.
Oh yeah… and fix it all on a restricted / “cut” budget.
so many people around here let their animals wonder and have no control over them. I suspect these animals are the ones spreading pet illness. responsible pet owners take their animals in for annual shots and check ups. anyone who has loved and cared for a pet knows what I am talking about. when you love an animal and they are part of your family, you take care of them. my dogs and cats get the care they need. I wish more people could do this. I do understand money is tight for most and a bad economy does not help things, i just wish more people would try to be responsible.
Please take care of your pets. They depend on you for everything! Get them current on their checkups and vaccinations. Take them to the vet when they are sick . Give them a safe, warm place to sleep.Don’t let them roam. Love them and take care of them. You can tell a lot about a person by the way they treat animals.
In response to “concerned”…have you done any testing for canine influenza?
Intersting. I work for a local vet clinic in the NW Florida area and have seen several dogs recently adopted from the Escambia County Animal Shelter. One family in particular had adopted 2 over a 2 week period with both having kennel cough and one being so severe was to the point of pneumonia. I also know of another situation of a dog being taken to the shelter, held for 10 days until released to the owners and this dog was forced, while sick, to be spayed. Now the dog, after losing at least 20 pounds, is deathly ill, on IV fluids and is being nursed back to health. I realize that in a shelter situtation, you are going to have sick animals, but something needs to be done. Especially when it comes to adopting out sick and unhealthy dogs.